Compliance and AML Reporting Officer at Equity Bank Kenya

Description

• Equity Bank is one of the region’s leading banks whose purpose is to transform the lives and livelihoods of the people of Africa socially and economically by availing them modern and inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities. With a strong footprint in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and DRC Congo, Equity Bank is now home to over 12 million customers - the largest customer base in Africa. Currently the Bank is seeking additional talent to serve in the role outlined below.
• Reporting to the Head of Risk and Compliance, the Compliance and AML Reporting Officer will support in delivery of AML and Compliance oversight services within Equity Life to help the business achieve its strategies and objectives.

Purpose

• The purpose of the role is to establish and maintain mechanisms and systems of internal control to assist the Board of Directors and Managing in meeting legal, regulatory and supervisory obligations and to promote and sustain a sound compliance culture. This includes ensuring legal and regulatory compliance implications are integrated into material strategic, financial, and operational decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain an effective regulatory compliance framework that includes a regulatory compliance strategy and appetite.
• Ensure employees undergo training on regulatory compliance obligations.
• Implement and maintain compliance risk indicators and performance measures for monitoring the levels of compliance risk being incurred by the business in relation to the defined appetite limits.
• Implement and maintain compliance risk indicators and performance measures for monitoring the levels of compliance risk being incurred by the business in relation to the defined appetite limits.
• Oversee compliance control adequacy and effectiveness, mitigating management actions and exposure versus appetite limits and identify operating model deficiencies and capability gaps.
• Meet regulatory obligations applicable to the function and be aware of key issues and concerns raised by regulators, while coordinating regulatory interaction where necessary. Oversee the timely submission of all regulatory applications and returns by the business.
• Advise the Board and Management from a compliance perspective on strategic decision making and business planning objectives to ensure they fully understand the implications of decisions being taken and possible mitigating actions to limit compliance exposures.
• Advise the business on the design and implementation of compliance controls and related mitigation processes, projects and change programs. The provision of such advice may not compromise the principles of 1st Line compliance ownership and 2nd Line independence.
• Report to the relevant Board and Managing Executives on:
  • The compliance risks to the business and on material compliance issues, including the outcome of regulatory visits, control breaks, breaches and mitigating management actions.
  • The extent to which the business is ready to comply with new or emerging laws and regulations.
  • The level of progress with the delivery of the annual functional operational plan and the adequacy of resources for the Compliance Function.
• Handle the management and execution of second line monitoring and assessment program for Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF)
• Develop and maintain AML/CTF policies and procedures.
• Suspicious transaction reviews and Suspicious Transaction Reporting to Financial Reporting Center
• Ensure Sanction Screening and adequate onboarding KYC and due diligence for clients, suppliers, and staff.
• Develop and execute AML/CTF training for staff in various business units as required.

Key Accountabilities

Compliance

• Number of regulatory breaches
• On time Resolution of Regulatory Breaches
• Emerging regulations identification and Impact assessment
• Compliance plan completion rate

AML/CTF

• Sanction Screening for all clients, suppliers/partners, and staff
• On-boarding due diligence for all clients, suppliers/partners, and staff
• Continuous Due diligence for high-risk clients
• Suspicious transaction reporting
• Annual AML training for all staff

  
Qualifications & Experience

• University Degree
• Professional qualifications in AML or/and Compliance.
• Sound knowledge of regulations governing insurance companies including the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
• At least 10 years’ experience in Compliance and AML roles.

Competencies

• Strong at building relationships with good interpersonal and communication skill
• Confident and assertive, able to garner the respect of others and influence change at the Executive level and throughout the firm.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities without missing deadlines.
• Strong Organizational Skills.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and oral and written skills to clearly communicate recommendations.