Compliance, Financial Crime Risk Manager at Equity Bank Kenya

Job Purpose:

The role holder will be tasked to support Group Financial Crime Compliance function by ensuring that the Group has an optimal, effective, efficient, and regulatory compliant financial crime risk management framework. The role will assist the Group Head of Compliance, Financial Crime and Conduct in ensuring that the Group is kept appraised of relevant changes in laws and regulations, emerging risks and potential gaps in managing and implementing international and local financial sanctions, anti money laundering, counter terrorism and proliferation financing controls.

Key Responsibilities.

• Act as the primary subject matter expert in sanctions, anti-money laundering, counter terrorism and proliferation financing.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant sanctions, anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism and proliferation financing regulations and industry standards, implementing and maintaining the robust program.
• Guide the enhancement of sanctions, anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism and proliferation financing processes, frameworks, and investigative standards.
• Collaborate with other stakeholders, including subsidiaries, to maintain and improve transaction monitoring systems in line with business growth and regulatory changes.
• Act as the key escalation point for complex financial crime cases and offer expertise and resolution strategies.
• Analyse financial crime trends and data to anticipate emerging risks and implement proactive mitigation strategies.
• Continuously evaluate and improve systems and processes related to sanctions, anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism and proliferation financing.
• Prepare and present Management Information (MI) reports, highlighting key trends, performance metrics, and risk insights for senior management and relevant stakeholders
• Conduct tests and deep dives to ensure the effectiveness of the sanctions, anti-money laundering, counterterrorism and proliferation financing program.
• Ensure up-to-date comprehensive Compliance matrix/grids, based on all the relevant legislations/regulations, to ensure that the Group and its local subsidiaries comply with all the relevant legislation and regulations.
• Assist Management with AML/CTF-related inquiries from employees, business managers, and internal and external auditors by providing information and guidance in a timely manner.
• Draft and socialize sanctions, anti-money laundering, counterterrorism and proliferation financing policies and standards.
• Collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure a robust and effective training program.
• Complete employee and performance reviews with the team
• Managing the team by overseeing their performance and ensuring they work within regulation.

Qualifications

• First Degree. ·
• Professional certification e.g. CAMs an added advantage.
• AML/CFT Expertise: Extensive knowledge of sanctions, anti money laundering, counter terrorism and proliferation financing regulations, with proven experience as a subject matter expert in sanctions, anti money laundering, counter terrorism and proliferation financing frameworks and investigations
• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated experience in leading teams, particularly in a financial crime or compliance setting
• Transactional Monitoring: Strong background in managing and optimising transactional monitoring processes and ensuring regulatory compliance
• Financial Crime Knowledge: Understanding of broader financial crime risks, including anti-bribery and corruption, though specific subject matter expertise in fraud is not required
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyse complex financial crime data, identify trends, and lead strategic initiatives to improve detection and prevention mechanisms
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to various internal and external stakeholders
• Banking Experience: Extensive knowledge of banking operations, with proven experience dealing with banking products, services, and customer relationship management