Onboarding Agent – CPT at Datafin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

• Our client, a company operating in the digital payments and fintech space, is seeking a detail-oriented Onboarding Agent to guide new merchants through its payment gateway onboarding process.
• You will verify business information, complete due diligence checks and maintain accurate records so that applications are ready for approval and integration.  This role combines merchant communication, document verification and compliance administration.
• You will keep applications moving, provide Back Office training and refer risk, compliance and specialist decisions to the appropriate teams.

DUTIES:

• Manage merchant onboarding applications from Commercial handover, verify document completeness and follow up on outstanding information.
• Verify business registration details, addresses, business activities and applicable licences, as well as the identities and authority of directors and authorised representatives.
• Identify and verify ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs), including those within complex ownership structures.
• Conduct sanctions, politically exposed person (PEP) and adverse media screening, maintain supporting evidence and escalate findings to Risk and Compliance.
• Compile complete due diligence packs for approval and confirm that all approval conditions are met before handing applications over to Integration.
• Capture verified business, contact and banking information, and submit banking details for independent verification.
• Keep merchants and internal stakeholders informed of application progress, provide Back Office training and coordinate complete handovers to Integration and Customer Support.
• Safeguard personal and merchant information, maintain accurate records and contribute to improving onboarding checklists, guidance and processes.

REQUIREMENTS

• Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
• A relevant diploma in Business Administration, Banking, Financial Services or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience in merchant onboarding or customer due diligence.
• 1–2 years’ experience in merchant or client onboarding, KYC/KYB or FICA administration, compliance administration, or a banking, financial services or payments back-office environment.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills and experience working with structured checklists and electronic records.

Advantageous Knowledge & Experience

• A relevant NQF Level 5 or 6 qualification in Business Administration, Finance, Compliance, Risk Management or Law.
• Training in FICA, anti-money laundering (AML), customer due diligence (CDD), KYC/KYB, sanctions screening or the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
• Experience in a fintech company, payment service provider, acquiring bank or bank merchant services team.
• Experience verifying beneficial ownership, using screening tools or onboarding businesses requiring licences or regulatory authorisation.
• Knowledge of Merchant Category Codes (MCCs), payment methods and merchant onboarding systems.

ATTRIBUTES

• Highly organised, accurate and accountable, with strong attention to detail.
• Professional written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to manage multiple applications simultaneously and follow up persistently on outstanding information.
• Demonstrates sound judgement, confidentiality and a proactive approach to escalating concerns.
• Able to maintain compliance standards and complete required checks under pressure.

Working Requirements

• Availability to work rostered shifts from Monday to Sunday.
• Employment is subject to satisfactory role-related criminal, credit and qualification verification.
• Completion of required FICA, anti-money laundering, POPIA and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) awareness training within agreed timeframes.