Specialist Financial Crime Regulatory AR at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• To provide complex specialist advice and support in practice formulation and associated best practice improvement tactics; enabling the provision of specialist compliance expertise.

Job Description

• To provide oversight and support to CIB business to ensure compliance with its obligations in terms of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Sanctions/Countering of Terrorist Financing legislation/regulation and its employees with the provisions of the applicable laws and internal policies and rules. To ensure adherence with the Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC) Policy requirements.

Accountability:  Oversight of AML, Sanctions and ABC

• Assist the FLOD Anti-Money Laundering (AML), ABC and Sanctions functions within CIB to ensure:
•  Full regulatory compliance by liaising with relevant Stakeholders deployed in business, i.e. Compliance / Risk resources.
•  Ensure the awareness of processes to report suspicious transaction reports within the business unit/ area by creating awareness and knowledge share at Forums. Ensure that the escalation process, as defined, is followed and the Head of CIB Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) is aware of non-compliance.
•  Act as custodian on behalf of the Head of CIB FCC on AML related, Sanctions and Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policies within CIB and manage the process for the escalation of dispensations / waivers.
•  Ensure that business unit / area provides awareness and training programmes in respect of Money Laundering, Sanctions and Bribery & Corruption in accordance with the statutory requirements. Where needed, deliver face-to-face or specialist training to the relevant business upon request or where a need is identified through monitoring and testing, query management, etc.
•  Support business unit/ area visits / inspections from relevant Regulators when required.
•  Co-ordinate action within the business unit / area to comply with any AML, ABC or Sanctions related issues or new requirements arising from regulation or policy.
•  Engage as a member of appropriate industry working groups by participating in selected Industry Forums.
•  Deliver global anti money laundering and terrorism regulatory initiatives (within the business unit/ area, e.g. Sanctions) where applicable.
•  Oversee the remediation required to be completed following any form of assurance review conducted (i.e. Internal Audit, Financial Crime).
•  Assist the various Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLRO) in setting the overall AML, Sanctions, and Bribery and Corruption strategy within their respective areas. Assist the various MLRO’s in further improving both the output to stakeholders in this respect, but also input from non-AML areas, specifically Business priorities.

Accountability:  Politically Exposed Persons

In conjunction with the Financial Crime Regulatory Team:

•  Ensure each area has implemented and maintains a PEP register
•  Provide advice on the PEP standard as and where required
•  Liaise with the AML responsible persons regarding their PEP registers and reviews
•  Maintain relevant Management Information in respect of PEPs
•  Liaise with Group FCC in respect of PEP related matters
• Accountability:  Financial Crime Reporting
• In conjunction with the Head of CIB FCC:
•  Provide Financial Crime Management Information as and when required

Accountability:  Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with key internal business unit and external (for example, Regulators) stakeholders with the aim of understanding their business needs. This will entail having regular meetings with the relevant senior management or other key staff of the business.
•  Implement established escalation processes for significant issues and concerns raised so as to manage the culture of "no surprises". This will entail having proactive, regular, meaningful meetings with key stakeholders, as well as ensuring that reports are discussed and submitted timeously to the relevant executive business head.
•  Manage interaction with stakeholders that span multiple businesses, functions and geographies within the firm.
•  Ensuring that Financial Crime matters are correctly referred to the applicable Financial Crime discipline and follow appropriate escalation routes, while involving the relevant stakeholders early and fully.
•  Work to strengthen the profile and presence of Financial Crime to support the overall functioning of the Group Financial Crime systems and controls. Provide direction and lead in applying consistent Financial Crime standards across countries while working closely with any group functions.

Accountability:  Manage AML/Sanctions/Bribery & Corruption programs

• Establish and manage an Anti-Money Laundering/ Terrorist Financing/ Sanctions/ Anti-Bribery & Corruption programme within the business unit/ area by assigning responsibilities and driving the conclusion of matters.
•  Inspire and drive high performance in individuals and in the team as appropriate within the support network within the Business Unit, i.e. Chief Operating Officers (COOs), Compliance Officers, Business Risk resources etc.
•  Act as a role model and drive proactive application of the Absa Values throughout the team including establishment of common goals and objectives.
•  Perform an interface role between the business unit/ area and MLRO function to ensure appropriate governance.

Accountability: People Management

•  Oversee the activities of the first line Financial Crime Governance team within CIB to ensure effective delivery of compliance related matters.
•  Develop a high performing team by informal coaching.
•  Determine and analyse development needs and ensure that identified training requirements are budgeted for and executed.

Accountability: Policies and Procedures

•  Responsible for the review, challenge and roll-out of Group Financial Crime policies and standards.
•  Aid in the establishment and implementation of a consistent operating framework for the identification, management, monitoring and reporting of money laundering, terrorism, sanctions and bribery and corruption risks and issues in the business unit/area.
•  Review FCC related procedures to ensure it is consistent across all areas of CIB to meet internal and statutory requirements. Anomalies are to be addressed via escalation.
•  Establish and maintain close working relationships with the business unit/ area management/ leaders to ensure support for Anti Money Laundering and Terrorism, Sanctions and Anti-Bribery & Corruption risk frameworks.

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)