Senior Compliance Analyst/ Manager

You will be responsible for conducting due diligence and risk assessments on new and existing customers to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and mitigate potential financial crime risks. You will gather and analyze customer information, review documentation, perform background checks, and make informed decisions based on your findings. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and contribute to maintaining a strong anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) framework.

Key Responsibilities:

·       Customer Due Diligence: Conduct thorough KYC investigations on new and existing customers, assessing their identity, background, and associated risks. Collect, verify, and analyze customer information and documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

·       Risk Assessment: Evaluate customer profiles and transactions to identify potential risks, such as money laundering, fraud, and terrorist financing. Determine the risk level and make appropriate recommendations to mitigate identified risks.

·       Documentation Review: Review customer identification documents, such as passports, national IDs, and utility bills, to ensure their authenticity and compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

·       Sanctions and Watchlist Screening: Conduct screenings against global sanctions lists, politically exposed persons (PEPs) databases, and other relevant watchlists to identify and flag any potential matches or suspicious activities.

·       Regulatory Compliance: Stay updated on applicable AML, CTF, and KYC regulations and guidelines. Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry best practices in all KYC processes.

·       Reporting and Record-Keeping: Document findings, decisions, and investigations in a clear and organized manner. Prepare reports and maintain accurate records of KYC activities for audit and regulatory purposes.

·       Collaboration and Communication: Liaise with internal stakeholders, including relationship managers, compliance officers, and legal teams, to obtain necessary information and ensure effective communication regarding customer risk assessments and compliance matters.

·       Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline and enhance KYC processes, including the implementation of new tools and technologies to improve efficiency and accuracy.

·       Training and Awareness: Support and participate in training programs to educate employees on KYC policies, procedures, and emerging trends in financial crime.

·       Quality Assurance: Conduct periodic reviews and audits of KYC files and processes to ensure quality and consistency, and assist in internal and external audits as required.

Skills

Requirements:

·       Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Law, or a related field. Relevant professional certifications in AML and KYC are desirable.

·       CAMS certified – mandate to have.

·       Previous experience in KYC, AML, or compliance roles within the financial services industry, preferably in banking or financial institutions.

·       Strong understanding of AML, KYC, and CTF concepts, regulations, and industry best practices. Familiarity with global sanctions lists, PEPs databases, and watchlist screening processes.

·       Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in reviewing and analyzing customer information and documentation.

·       Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify potential risks, evaluate information, and make informed decisions.

·       Effective written and verbal communication skills to communicate findings, escalate issues, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

·       Proficiency in using KYC software platforms, databases, and other relevant tools. Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools is a plus.

·       Knowledge of relevant local and international AML, KYC, and CTF regulations, such as FATF recommendations, UAE Central Bank guidelines, and local regulatory requirements.

·       Strong ethical standards, integrity, and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.