Compliance Officer

Compliance Officer

Department: Legal & Compliance

Reports To: Head, Legal & Compliance

Job Purpose

The Compliance Officer is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining a robust compliance framework. This role ensures operational alignment with all applicable laws, regulatory requirements, internal policies, and ethical standards. Key functions include identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating regulatory risks, while actively supporting and promoting a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability throughout the organization.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Collaboration with all operational departments, Internal Audit, Risk & Control, Finance, IT, and HR.
• External: Liaising with regulatory agencies (e.g., Central Bank of Nigeria, NDIC), External Auditors, Compliance Consultants, and Inspectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Regulatory Oversight: Monitor all applicable laws and directives, track regulatory updates, translate requirements into actionable operational guidance, and maintain the regulatory obligations register.
• Policy Management: Draft, implement, and review compliance frameworks, manuals, codes of conduct, and internal control policies to ensure alignment with current regulatory standards.
• AML/CFT/CPF & Sanctions: Oversee Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorist Financing, and Counter-Proliferation Financing programs. This includes managing Know Your Customer (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), and sanctions screening processes.
• Risk Assessment & Monitoring: Proactively identify and document compliance risks. Execute periodic compliance testing, track identified breaches, and enforce agreed-upon mitigation plans.
• Regulatory Reporting: Prepare and submit accurate and timely regulatory filings to relevant authorities, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Maintain comprehensive, audit-ready documentation.
• Training & Advisory: Deliver organization-wide compliance and AML/CFT/P training programs. Provide expert advice to internal teams on regulatory matters and conduct investigations into policy violations.
• Governance & Ethics: Champion and promote high ethical standards across the organization. Oversee whistleblowing protocols and support the enhancement of corporate governance frameworks.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a closely related field is required. Relevant professional certifications such as CAMS, ACA, ACCA, CISA, or CRMA are considered advantageous.
• Experience: A minimum of 2–4 years of experience in regulatory compliance, risk management, or internal controls is necessary. Demonstrated working knowledge of local financial regulatory frameworks is essential.
• Core Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, effective regulatory liaison skills, capacity for independent investigation, proficiency in clear technical reporting, and robust ethical judgment are critical for success in this role.