Client Due Diligence and Compliance Specialist

Client Onboarding | Financial Services Compliance | Risk Assessment

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

About the Role

An opportunity is available for an experienced Client Due Diligence and Compliance Specialist to join a dynamic financial services organisation.

This is a fully remote position for a professional based in South Africa who can consistently work United Kingdom business hours.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the organisation's compliance obligations through effective client verification, ongoing monitoring and financial crime prevention activities.

Operating within the 1st Line of Defence, you will work as part of the Compliance Department while collaborating closely with the Operations Team.

You will provide direct support to the Money Laundering Reporting Officer and contribute to the ongoing effectiveness of the business's regulatory compliance framework.

The position requires practical experience in Customer Due Diligence, Know Your Customer verification, Enhanced Due Diligence, Source of Funds and Source of Wealth reviews, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, Politically Exposed Person checks and adverse media screening.

You will also play an important role in maintaining effective relationships with clients, prospective customers, affiliates, referring partners, internal stakeholders and banking partners.

This is a hands on compliance position suited to someone who enjoys managing detailed processes, applying risk based judgement and ensuring regulatory requirements are consistently met.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Due Diligence and Financial Crime Compliance

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

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

• Perform Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence checks on new and existing clients.

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

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

• Investigate potential screening matches and escalate concerns according to internal procedures.

• Carry out live and retrospective transaction monitoring to identify unusual or potentially suspicious activity.

• Review monitoring alerts and ensure concerns are appropriately investigated and escalated.

• Apply a risk based approach when assessing compliance matters and determining appropriate actions.

Client Onboarding and Relationship Management

• Coordinate client onboarding activities to ensure all compliance requirements are satisfied.

• Engage directly with prospective clients to obtain the necessary Know Your Customer documentation.

• Verify submitted information and ensure records are complete and accurate.

• Conduct ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews of existing client accounts.

• Support the onboarding of affiliates and referring partners through appropriate compliance verification procedures.

• Process changes to existing client information and ensure records are updated across relevant systems.

• Act as a point of contact for internal teams requiring guidance on onboarding and compliance procedures.

• Maintain professional communication with clients while ensuring regulatory requirements are consistently applied.

Operational Compliance and External Stakeholders

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

• Communicate with counterparties and partner banks regarding compliance requirements.

• Coordinate responses to banking partner Requests for Information.

• Ensure requested documentation and information are provided accurately and within required timeframes.

• Provide practical compliance guidance to colleagues and internal stakeholders.

• Manage multiple compliance activities and deadlines within a fast moving environment.

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

Compliance Reporting and Process Development

• Identify opportunities to improve client onboarding and compliance processes.

• Recommend enhancements to internal controls and operational efficiency.

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

• Support and lead compliance related projects and improvement initiatives.

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

• Assist with other related responsibilities as the business continues to grow.

Required Skills and Experience

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

• Practical experience completing 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 requirements.

• Experience conducting transaction monitoring and escalating suspicious activity.

• Understanding of anti money laundering regulations and compliance processes.

• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines.

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills.

• Confidence communicating with clients, colleagues, external counterparties and banking partners.

• Ability to assess compliance risks and make appropriate risk based decisions.

• Confidence working independently in a fully remote environment while remaining connected with the wider team.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience working in a United Kingdom regulated financial services environment.

• Familiarity with United Kingdom anti money laundering and financial crime regulations.

• Experience within banking, payments, foreign exchange or other regulated financial services businesses.

• Previous involvement in responding to Requests for Information from banking partners.

• Experience improving compliance procedures, onboarding processes or internal controls.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a highly organised and detail focused professional who understands the importance of thorough client verification and effective compliance controls.

The successful candidate will be comfortable communicating directly with clients, reviewing documentation and investigating potential compliance concerns.

You will demonstrate sound judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities without compromising accuracy.

A proactive approach, strong sense of ownership and willingness to collaborate with colleagues will be important qualities for success.

If you have practical client due diligence and financial services compliance experience and are looking for a fully remote opportunity supporting a United Kingdom business, we would welcome your application.