Financial Services Risk and Compliance Officer

Risk Management | Anti Money Laundering | Compliance Operations

Location: South Africa, Fully Remote
Working Hours: United Kingdom Business Hours
Department: Compliance and Operations
Salary: R28 000 per month

About the Business Opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced and detail focused Financial Services Risk and Compliance Officer to support its compliance and operational activities within a regulated financial services environment.

This is a fully remote opportunity for candidates based in South Africa who are comfortable working United Kingdom business hours.

The position involves supporting the company's financial crime prevention controls, regulatory compliance processes and client onboarding requirements.

You will operate within the 1st Line of Defence as part of the Compliance Department while collaborating closely with the wider Operations Team.

A key aspect of the position will involve assisting the Money Laundering Reporting Officer in ensuring the business meets its legal and regulatory responsibilities.

Your daily activities will include Customer Due Diligence, Know Your Customer verification, Enhanced Due Diligence, Source of Funds and Source of Wealth assessments, sanctions screening, Politically Exposed Person screening, adverse media investigations and transaction monitoring.

You will also engage with clients, prospective customers, affiliates, referring partners, banking partners and internal stakeholders.

The successful candidate must demonstrate strong attention to detail, sound risk based judgement and the ability to maintain accurate compliance records while managing multiple priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Assessment and Financial Crime Compliance

• Support the Money Laundering Reporting Officer in maintaining compliance with relevant legal and regulatory obligations.

• Assist with the operation and continuous improvement of the organisation's compliance and financial crime prevention framework.

• Conduct Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence checks for new and existing clients.

• Review and verify Source of Funds and Source of Wealth documentation.

• Perform live and retrospective transaction monitoring to identify unusual or suspicious financial activity.

• Investigate potential compliance concerns and escalate matters according to established internal procedures.

• Conduct sanctions, Politically Exposed Person and adverse media screening.

• Review potential screening matches and determine appropriate escalation requirements.

• Apply sound risk based judgement when assessing potential compliance and financial crime risks.

Client Onboarding and Monitoring

• Manage compliance activities associated with onboarding new clients.

• Engage directly with prospective and existing clients to obtain required Know Your Customer information.

• Verify client documentation and ensure onboarding checks are completed accurately.

• Conduct periodic client reviews to ensure information remains current and compliant.

• Support the onboarding of affiliates and referring partners by conducting relevant compliance checks.

• Manage updates to existing client records and ensure changes are accurately reflected across internal systems.

• Provide guidance to internal teams regarding compliance requirements, onboarding procedures and ongoing client monitoring.

Operational Compliance and Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with the wider Operations Team to support efficient processes and high standards of customer service.

• Communicate with external counterparties and banking partners regarding compliance matters.

• Coordinate and respond to Requests for Information received from banking partners as part of their ongoing monitoring activities.

• Provide practical compliance guidance and support to internal stakeholders.

• Manage competing deadlines and priorities without compromising regulatory standards.

• Maintain accurate records and ensure internal procedures are consistently followed.

Compliance Reporting and Business Improvements

• Identify opportunities to strengthen compliance controls and improve operational processes.

• Recommend practical improvements to existing procedures and workflows.

• Prepare compliance reports and management information for senior leadership when requested.

• Support and lead compliance related projects across the business.

• Provide additional compliance and operational support during periods of team leave.

• Assist with related responsibilities as the organisation continues to grow and develop.

Required Skills and Experience

• Previous experience in financial services operations, regulatory compliance, financial crime prevention or client onboarding.

• Practical experience conducting Customer Due Diligence, Know Your Customer and Enhanced Due Diligence checks.

• Experience reviewing Source of Funds and Source of Wealth documentation.

• Strong knowledge of Politically Exposed Person, sanctions and adverse media screening.

• Experience conducting transaction monitoring and escalating suspicious activity.

• Understanding of anti money laundering requirements and regulatory compliance processes.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate documentation.

• Excellent organisational and time management skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Confidence engaging with clients, internal stakeholders and external banking partners.

• Ability to apply sound risk based judgement and escalate compliance concerns appropriately.

• Ability to work independently within a fully remote environment while collaborating effectively with colleagues.

Advantageous Experience

• Previous experience within a United Kingdom regulated financial services business.

• Familiarity with United Kingdom anti money laundering legislation and financial crime compliance requirements.

• Experience working within banks, payment providers, foreign exchange businesses or other regulated financial institutions.

• Experience managing banking partner Requests for Information and compliance enquiries.

• Previous involvement in improving internal controls, compliance procedures or operational efficiency.

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate is a proactive, analytical and highly organised professional with practical experience in financial services compliance.

You will understand the importance of maintaining effective financial crime controls while supporting efficient business operations and delivering excellent customer service.

The successful candidate will be comfortable reviewing detailed information, investigating potential risks and making informed decisions.

You should be adaptable, dependable and capable of managing competing priorities in a fast moving environment.

Strong communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams will be essential.

We are looking for someone who takes ownership of their responsibilities and approaches compliance challenges with a practical and solutions focused mindset.

If you have experience in financial services risk and compliance and are looking for a fully remote opportunity supporting a United Kingdom business, we encourage you to apply.