Compliance and MLRO for a Financial Technology Company

Role Overview;

The Compliance & AML Officer will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the company’s compliance framework across multiple jurisdictions. This includes regulatory engagement, merchant onboarding controls, transaction monitoring, investigations, audits, and internal governance.

You will act as the primary point of contact for regulators and banking partners, translate regulatory requirements into operational processes, and ensure that AML/CFT controls are effectively integrated into product and operations.

Key Responsibilities

-Lead compliance for payment service provider and related licenses across East, West, and Southern Africa

-Prepare regulatory filings, policies, annexes, and periodic compliance reports

-Design and maintain AML/CFT frameworks aligned with FATF standards

-Own KYC/KYB onboarding processes for merchants and partners, including risk scoring and enhanced due diligence

-Oversee sanctions screening, PEP checks, and adverse media monitoring

-Implement transaction monitoring rules and manage alert review workflows

-Investigate suspicious or high-risk activity and file STR/SAR reports where required

-Draft and maintain core policies including AML Policy, Risk Assessment Framework, Customer Acceptance Policy, Sanctions Policy, and Fraud Response Procedures

-Support regulatory inspections and external audits, ensuring audit-ready documentation at all times

-Maintain compliance registers, incident logs, and management risk reports

Conduct internal compliance training and promote a strong compliance culture across the organization

Required Experience

• Minimum 3-4 years’ experience in Compliance or AML within fintech, payments, banking, or remittance
• Direct exposure to PSPs, EMIs, MSBs, or payment gateways
• Strong working knowledge of AML/CFT frameworks, FATF recommendations, and KYB/KYC processes
• Experience engaging regulators and banking partners
• Hands-on experience with merchant onboarding, transaction monitoring, and investigations
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, early-stage or scaling environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• CAMS, ICA, or equivalent certification
• Experience with cross-border payments and FX compliance