FICA Compliance Specialist at Sygnia Asset Management

• This is a hands-on specialist role with responsibility for independently conducting risk-based compliance monitoring, maintaining the FICA Compliance Monitoring Plan (CMP), assessing the design and operating effectiveness of controls, documenting evidence-based conclusions for review, and supporting the closure of agreed remediation actions. Overall accountability for the Group’s FICA compliance framework, policies and regulatory obligations remains with the MLCO and Head of Compliance. The role requires in-depth knowledge of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, applicable regulations, Guidance Notes, Directives and Public Compliance Communications issued by the FIC, together with a sound understanding of relevant FSCA and PA expectations.

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Fulfil the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) responsibilities for the Sygnia Group, including escalating reportable matters and maintaining regulatory records.
• Develop and execute a risk-based FICA Compliance Monitoring Plan across relevant Group entities, aligned with ML/TF/PF risks, the RMCP, regulatory developments and prior findings.
• Independently conduct risk-based monitoring reviews, including evidence evaluation, interviews, sample testing and data analysis, to assess the design, implementation and effectiveness of controls.
• Develop and maintain annual and rolling risk-based CMPs, defining monitoring scope, frequency, methodology, sampling, testing procedures, resources, reporting timelines and key control coverage.
• Assess compliance with customer due diligence requirements, including client verification, beneficial ownership, risk-rating, enhanced and ongoing due diligence, source-of-funds/wealth checks, and the management of politically exposed persons and other high-risk relationships.
• Assess the effectiveness of transaction monitoring, including alert handling, investigations, escalation, quality assurance and the timely detection of suspicious activity.
• Assess compliance with regulatory reporting obligations, ensuring the accuracy, completeness and timely submission of required reports, while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate audit trails.
• Test sanctions and targeted financial sanctions controls, including screening coverage, list updates, alert disposition, false-positive management, escalation, freezing or reporting processes and record retention.
• Evaluate compliance with record-keeping, employee screening, FICA training, regulatory registration, governance, oversight and other obligations contained in the RMCP and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain comprehensive, review-ready monitoring workpapers documenting scope, testing procedures, evidence, findings, root causes and conclusions to support regulatory scrutiny.
• Prepare monitoring reports identifying control deficiencies and compliance risks, recommending corrective actions with clear ownership and deadlines, and escalating significant or overdue findings through appropriate governance channels.
• Maintain findings and remediation register, verify corrective actions through follow-up testing, and close findings only when supported by sufficient evidence.
• Analyse monitoring results across entities and review cycles to identify recurring themes, control weaknesses, emerging risks and areas requiring deeper thematic review or changes to the CMP, RMCP, systems, processes or training.
• Produce regular management information on CMP delivery, coverage, findings, ageing, remediation status, risk trends and control effectiveness for management, relevant committees and Boards, and provide concise, evidence-based commentary on deviations from plan.
• Draft, maintain, challenge and enhance the Group’s RMCP and support FICA policies, standards, procedures and control documentation, ensuring that regulatory requirements are translated into practical and testable business controls.
• Provide authoritative advice to the business on ML/TF/PF risks and obligations, including client onboarding, high-risk relationships, complex ownership structures, new products and distribution channels, reliance arrangements, outsourcing and material process or system changes.
• Perform FICA compliance input and challenge new products, services, systems and business initiatives, and confirm that required controls are defined, implemented and capable of being monitored before or shortly after launch, depending on risk.
• Own or coordinate regulatory returns, information requests, inspections, surveys and remediation relating to FICA, ensuring submissions are accurate, complete, internally approved and supported by retained evidence.
• Monitor FIC, FSCA, PA and relevant international developments; assess their impact and track required control and documentation updates through implementation.
• Develop and deliver role-specific AML/CFT/CPF training informed by regulatory developments, monitoring outcomes, incidents and business risk, and assessing whether training has been completed and understood.
• Maintain accurate AML compliance records, regulatory correspondence, approvals, monitoring evidence and management information in accordance with applicable retention, confidentiality and access requirements.

Role Qualifications and Experience:

• Relevant bachelor’s degree in law, finance, accounting or risk management, with a FICA, AML/CFT or compliance qualification.
• At least six years’ financial services compliance experience (four years in FICA and AML/CFT monitoring)
• Proven experience implementing risk-based Compliance Monitoring Plans, including control testing, reporting and remediation tracking.
• Strong knowledge of FICA, FIC guidance and key AML/CFT controls, including customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, regulatory reporting, sanctions screening and record-keeping.
• Working knowledge of FATCA, CRS, POPIA and PAIA.
• Strong analytical, reporting and communication abilities, with the ability to assess controls, identify compliance risks and recommend corrective actions.
• Proficiency in compliance monitoring tools and MS Excel, with the ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines.
• Experience in asset management, collective investment schemes, retirement funds, life insurance or related financial services is advantageous.

Core Competencies Required:

• Strong analytical, investigative and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Effective stakeholder management and negotiation.
• Strong report-writing and presentation capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.