About the Firm: This position is for one of our clients, a leading mobile money operator in the African region. As part of a prominent group of companies comprising numerous regulated entities, our client boasts a decades-long history, a robust market presence, and a highly respected brand. They are known for their innovative financial solutions and their significant contribution to financial inclusion across Africa. The group is currently establishing a UK-based company that will seek authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an electronic money institution (EMI).
Role Overview: Our client is seeking a seasoned and proactive Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to take on a critical role within the organisation. As the MLRO, you will report directly to the Board of Directors and assume overall responsibility for the implementation and oversight of the firm’s anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), counter-proliferation financing (CPF), and sanctions compliance framework.
You will play a key role in shaping and maintaining an effective financial crime risk management strategy that aligns with the company’s regulatory obligations and risk appetite.
Key Responsibilities:
- Monitor the firm’s compliance with AML/CTF/CPF/sanctions obligations.
- Design, implement, and regularly update AML/CTF/CPF/sanctions internal controls, policies, procedures, and risk management systems.
- Coordinate and monitor AML/CTF/CPF/sanctions compliance programs.
- Prepare and deliver annual reports to the Board of Directors on the effectiveness of AML/CTF/CPF/sanctions frameworks.
- Review and investigate internal Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and determine if escalation to the National Crime Agency (NCA) is warranted.
- Ensure robust customer due diligence (CDD), including enhanced due diligence (EDD), across all relationships.
- Supervise onboarding and transaction monitoring processes to identify unusual or suspicious activities.
- File external SARs and respond to RFIs from the NCA, FCA, law enforcement, and other relevant bodies.
- Assess the impact of new laws and regulations and implement necessary changes.
- Provide ongoing training to staff and management on financial crime risk typologies and obligations.
- Maintain and manage AML/CTF/CPF/sanctions technology solutions.
- Conduct enterprise-wide risk assessments for ML/TF/PF and sanctions.
- Advise on new products or services to ensure financial crime compliance.
- Monitor business relationships and advise on continuation or termination.
- Ensure full retention and traceability of AML records for a minimum of five years.
- Oversee the firm’s overall financial crime compliance posture in proportion to its scale and operations.
Candidate Requirements:
- Proven experience as an MLRO or senior compliance professional in an e-money or payment institution.
- In-depth knowledge of UK AML/CTF/CPF/sanctions regulations and best practices.
- Strong analytical and investigative skills, with experience in filing SARs and managing regulatory engagement.
- Experience with compliance technologies, transaction monitoring systems, and data analytics tools.
- ICA/ACAMS or equivalent professional qualification in financial crime compliance is preferred.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
Why Join:
- Salary ranging from GBP 100,000 to 120,000 per year, depending on seniority.
- Influence and shape the company’s compliance and risk strategy from inception.
- Work directly with the Board and executive leadership.
- Competitive compensation and career progression in a high-impact regulatory function.
