Group Financial Crime Risk Specialist-1 at FirstRand Corporate Centre

Job Description

• We are looking for a seasoned Financial Crime Risk Specialist to join our team of experts responsible for assisting FirstRand in the development, monitoring and effective implementation of the enterprise-wide financial crime risk assessment methodology, which will guide the group’s risk-based approach whilst applying an integrated financial crime risk assessment approach that ensures the effective reduction of financial crime risk. In this role you will be responsible for developing the financial crime risk identification and assessment methodology, advising business on emerging financial crime risks (i.e. money laundering (ML), terrorist financing (TF), proliferation financing (PF), bribery and corruption risks), and advising business in implementing appropriate controls that effectively mitigate against these risks.
• Hello future Group Financial Crime Risk Specialist!
• FirstRand believes that its people are its single most important resource and will not operate in a sector unless it has people who are right for that market and who share FirstRand’s business values. We recruit self-starters who have a passion for what they do. We empower them, hold them accountable and reward them appropriately. We value diversity in our people, particularly for the way that this contributes to innovative thinking. If you think you will flourish in our environment, and you believe you have the necessary skills and competencies for the position advertised, then we are looking for you!

Role Purpose

• We are looking for a seasoned Financial Crime Risk Specialist to join our team of experts responsible for assisting FirstRand in the development, monitoring and effective implementation of the enterprise-wide financial crime risk assessment methodology, which will guide the group’s risk-based approach whilst applying an integrated financial crime risk assessment approach that ensures the effective reduction of financial crime risk. In this role you will be responsible for developing the financial crime risk identification and assessment methodology, advising business on emerging financial crime risks (i.e. money laundering (ML), terrorist financing (TF), proliferation financing (PF), bribery and corruption risks), and advising business in implementing appropriate controls that effectively mitigate against these risks.

Are you someone who can:

• Research and advise on emerging financial crime risks through trends, insights, themes, typologies and methods of money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing, bribery and corruption risks in order to effectively identify financial crime risks that are applicable to FirstRand’s entities and business lines;
• Develop, monitor and effectively implement an enterprise-wide risk identification and assessment methodology that complies with regulatory requirements and international standards to mitigate financial crime risks;
• Demonstrate expertise in assessing the financial crime enterprise-wide risk assessment frameworks and systems to effectively deter money laundering, terrorist proliferation, bribery and corruption;
• Prepare and present papers on topical ML/TF/PF emerging risk issues;
• Create solutions to meet customer demands to deliver internal and external customer service excellence through adherence to quality service standards;
• Build working relationships across teams and functional lines to enhance work delivery, collaboration and innovation;
• Provide advice to ensure internal processes and procedures are updated to respond to emerging financial crime risks;
• Compile reports that track progress and guide business to make informed decision; and
• Develop, encourage and nurture collaborative relationships across areas of specialisation.

You will be an ideal candidate if you can:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the (40) FATF Recommendations, Interpretative Notes and the FATF Assessment Methodology;
• Have a clear understanding of the work of other regional and international organisations involved in the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing as well as those addressing bribery and corruption;
• Demonstrate a strong drive to accomplish desired results involving multiple stakeholders and the ability to find solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables;
• Proven ability to conduct thorough analysis of ideas, reports, laws, regulations, publications and make reasonable conclusions;
• Excellent communication and report writing skills, with the ability to clearly articulate ideas verbally and in writing across audiences of varied levels; and
• A drive to seek effective and practical ways of doing things to improve the effectiveness of the enterprise-wide risk assessment programme.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum Qualification - Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Commerce or Risk or Compliance or Law or Auditing.
• Experience – at least 7 years’ experience in a financial crime risk environment, of which 2 years ideally at a specialist/senior level.

Additional Knowledge 

• Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism/Proliferation; Financial Crime Risk Identification and Assessment; Excellent Project Management Skills.

You will have access to:

• Challenging work in a complex and exciting environment
• Opportunities to innovate and create efficiencies.
• Opportunity to engage with Group Compliance functions and depending on your career ambitions, craft yourself a niche career path in a specialized area of finance.

We can be a match if you are:

• Curious & courageous - you're driven by always wanting to know more and learn more and you're brave enough to
• Obsessed with mastery - you know what it takes to become good at what you do and are constantly pushing yourself to do it.