Job Description

Role: Regional Compliance MLRO - West Africa (Remote | Full Time)

About us

We are the largest and first licensed on/off-ramp platform for stablecoins in Africa. We are dedicated to offering innovative solutions in the African stablecoin space. We are committed to making stablecoins accessible and understandable for everyone, providing our customers with secure and user-friendly platforms for their financial transactions.

The Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) will be responsible for performing the role of a nominated officer under the Money Laundering Regulations (“MLRs”) for the Yellow Card Group, receiving internal suspicious activity reports (“SARs”) and submitting SARs to the NFIU or applicable reporting agency.

In addition to Financial Crime, this role will be responsible for the AML, Sanctions, Anti Bribery & Corruption (“ABC”), and Business Ethics and Conflicts of Interest frameworks for the Nigeria, Ghana, and West Africa region; working in global coordination with the Global Regulatory Compliance Director and other international MLROs. This position will also advise Yellow Card West Africa Senior Management of emerging AML/TF/PF financial crimes and sanctions compliance issues, consult and guide in collaboration with the global Compliance functions in the establishment of controls to mitigate risks. The Yellow Card West Africa MLRO will report to the Global Chief Compliance Officer & MLRO.

Type of person

Critical thinker, organised and driven, with a strong knowledge domain. Dedicated and passionate about their job, humble and a real team player.

Key responsibilities

Duties include, but not limited to.

• Receive internal STR/SARs relating to Yellow Card West Africa as nominated Compliance officer and determine, following internal investigation, whether they give rise to knowledge or suspicion or reasonable grounds for knowledge or suspicion that a person is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing or proliferation financing and submit STR/SARs to the NFIU or the relevant country specific regulatory authority as appropriate;
• Ensure the immediate investigation of all internal suspicious activity reports received from business units and subsequent submission of SAR/STR to country-specific regulators
• Document and maintain an internal reporting procedure and process for receiving internal Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs);
• Maintain and update a SAR/STR register to document all SAR/STRs reported to the NFIU and other country-specific regulators
• Oversee Yellow Card West Africa’s sanctions framework, including filing reports in collaboration with the Sanctions Team Specialist with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and OFAC in need of US nexus reporting;
• Maintain the regional West Africa Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”), Counter-Terrorist Financing (“CTF”), and anti-proliferation financing (“PF”), collectively “Financial Crime” and Sanctions frameworks, including policies and procedures, reporting, record-keeping, risk assessment, management and control systems, to comply with the MLRs, international and local sanctions laws, regulatory guidance and best practice in collaboration with the global Regulatory Compliance team;
• Make recommendations for action to remedy any deficiencies in policies, procedures, systems or controls and follow up on those recommendations
• Engage with global financial crimes and sanctions teams regarding group-wide risks and controls, and oversee activities of third parties providing related services.
• Remain aware of relevant sanctions, prohibitions, or advisory notices, and advise the senior management and relevant staff of the names of any detected individuals and institutions on the sanctions list
• Determine the level of resources required and manage the team to execute appropriate Financial Crime and Sanctions policies and procedures;
• Ensure that Financial Crime and sanctions requirements are considered as part of the development of new products, new business operations and practices (including new delivery mechanisms) or new technology;
• Report to the Board regularly detailing the operational effectiveness of the Compliance program tools, systems and controls used to combat Financial Crime and enforce Sanctions;
• Establish and maintain risk-based regulatory reviews and monitoring, internal and external audits of the Financial Crime and Sanctions frameworks proportionate to Yellow Card’s operations' scale, nature, and complexity, and oversee corrective actions of any related compliance deficiencies. Regularly review developments in applicable legislation and guidance (domestic and international, where Yellow Card operates) and advise stakeholders on required enhancements;
• Administer and ensure that relevant staff, including the Board of Directors, are provided with Financial Crime and Sanctions training appropriate for their position (frequency and content) and that all new staff receive training within the specified period;
• Provide subject matter expertise in crypto investigations and crypto industry events.
• Engage and represent Yellow Card to external agencies such as the regulatory/law enforcement agencies, and in other third-party inquiries related to AML/TF/PF and
  Financial Crime compliance, investigation, and prevention matters.
• Engage relevant business teams to provide the required information for regulatory or Law Enforcement requests.
• Submit consolidated information to the regulator or law enforcement agencies as per request.
• Process regulatory returns, submission, report rendition and monitoring, i.e the submission of CTR
• Engage and manage compliance systems, vendor onboarding and procurement activities
• Manage the compliance vendor's payments regularly.
• Provide monthly MIS and input to the quarterly board report.
• Provide updates on changes in the regulatory landscape and best practices in AML/CFT in Nigeria and West Africa.
• Ensure compliance with all local AML/CFT and KYC laws
• Ensure and manage all law enforcement engagements for West Africa Yellow Card Group entities are completed and attended to in accordance with the stipulated information, appearance and communications requirements with all applicable stakeholders.

Requirements

• 5-8 years of experience in financial crimes compliance-related functions, including previous experience as a Nominated Officer, MLRO or Deputy MLRO
• 5+ years managing a team
• Thorough understanding of the MLRs, the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Terrorism Act 2000 and Global Sanctions law
• University degree from a recognised tertiary institution
• Forensic investigations, CFE, CAMS, ACFS certifications are advantageous
• Experience in developing and administering internal controls and processes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills – English fluency required
• The capacity to meet deadlines while maintaining quality standards and effective time management
• Exceptional interpersonal and organisational skills with the ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of management, regulators and examiners
• Experience in the fintech/cryptocurrency industry is required
• Attention to detail, strong sense of responsibility and very high level of integrity
• Ability to take charge in critical situations and work collaboratively on resolving problems
• Strong ethical, analytical and problem-solving skills

What We Offer

• An Opportunity to do Impactful and Purposeful Work: You’ll be helping drive financial inclusion across Africa.
• Remote-First Flexibility: Yellow Card embraces a fully remote work environment, enabling team members across the world to collaborate.
• Global & Diverse Team: Opportunity to work with talented professionals across the world in a multicultural and collaborative environment.
• Learning & Development: Access to resources, support, and autonomy to grow professionally.
• Mental Health Support Services: Your mental well-being matters for both your personal and professional well-being.

Ready to Join Us?

Are you up for the challenge? Apply today and be part of shaping the future of FinTech. Let's innovate, disrupt, and lead together!

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, age, ethnicity, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please Note:
Under local laws, this role may be subject to a background check once an employment contract has been signed. Reference checks will also be conducted during the final stages of the hiring process.