General Manager - Risk and Compliance Sanctions and Export Controls.Group Risk

MTN Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications provider in Dubai is seeking a Risk and Compliance Manager. This role involves designing compliance frameworks, providing assurance on regulations, and leading compliance initiatives across multiple jurisdictions. The ideal candidate has over 7 years of experience in risk management and compliance, preferably with certifications in the field. This position offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities to shape compliance strategy across a large organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in area of specialisation.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior manager role.
• Experience working in sanctions and export controls.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a Partner and Trade Compliance framework.
• Provide assurance on compliance across MTN's operations.
• Act as a subject matter expert on international compliance.

Skills

Sanctions and embargoes expertise

Risk management

Compliance frameworks

Cross-border trade regulation knowledge

Fluent in English

Education

Minimum 4-year degree in Law / Audit / Risk Management

Masters, MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification

International certification in Risk Management or Compliance

Job description

Overview

MTN Group’s Risk function is evolving to meet heightened regulatory scrutiny, a key contributor to business strategy, providing insights and guidance on risk matters, and the complexities of operating across multiple jurisdictions.

MTN is operating in a complex and ever-changing business environment. This role will provide robust 2nd line assurance of the MTN business operating in, as well as being managed from, as well as the MTN business in the region. There are currently ongoing operations in many countries across Africa in a fast-growing wholesale, sea cable and fibre operation, as well as MTN Group’s central Global Sourcing and Supply Chain (GSSC) operation, both head quartered in Dubai. The role will work with respective management teams in building a risk and compliance culture in the operations, through the Group R&C frameworks.

The Partner and Trade Compliance (PTC) function will work for MTN Group Manco and all OpCos towards the successful design, implementation, and embedment of an adequate PTC framework intended to assure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and requirements in the Subject Areas. This PTC framework shall in the MTN ecosystem be applied to MTN Group and its Group functions, MTN OpCos, entities majority owned by MTN and similar entities (to the extent MTN Group has management control). The role will also design, build, and operate a Partner and Trade Compliance (PTC) function within MTN Group Risk and Compliance in the context of :

• Achieving top quartile operating efficiency and effectiveness through scale and common policies and processes
• Driving growth through business intelligence and standardization to maximize business impact
• Initiating sustainable technology change across the infrastructure portfolio to further aid MTN in the achievement of parallel climate sustainability
• Management of customer and supplier expectations
• Constant dynamics and local challenges in the economic, regulatory and legal environments
• Ability to create a technological strategy in line with the company’s business requirements
• Enhancing MTN’s position as a leading connectivity, platform and digital player
• Growing dependence on vendor-led and shared passive infrastructure models
• MTN’s strategy to build the largest and most valuable platform business across our regions
• Assisting the MTN Board and EXCO in protecting the assets, reputation and sustainability of the organisation for MTN to accomplish its objectives

We at MTN are a purpose and value-led organisation. At MTN, we believe that understanding our people’s needs and aspirations is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, every day. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Y’ello Family is heard, understood and empowered to live an inspired life.

Organisational Mission: MTN’s vision is to lead digital transformation in Africa, ensuring widespread access to reliable, high-quality broadband services that drive social and economic development.

Organization Values: At MTN we believe that understanding our people’s needs and aspirations is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, every day. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Y’ello Family is heard, understood, and empowered to live an inspired life. Our values keep us grounded and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, they keep us honest. It is not something we claim to be. It is in our DNA.

As an organisation, we consider it our mission to create an exciting and rewarding place to work, where our people can be themselves, thrive in positivity and ignite their full potential. A workplace that boosts creativity and innovation, improves productivity, and ultimately drives meaningful results. A workplace that is built on relationships and achieving a purpose that is bigger than us. This is what we want you to experience with us!

Our commitments go beyond an organisational promise. It is in our leadership and managerial ethos to meaningfully partner with our employees, customers, and stakeholders with a vision to realise our shared goals.

Our values dubbed, LIVE Y’ello, are the cornerstone of our culture. Lead with Care; Can-do with Integrity; Collaborate with Agility; Serve with Respect; Act with Inclusion.

The Group R&C Region, Partner and Trade Compliance will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

Strategic Leadership and Operational Delivery

• Be the subject matter expert on sanctions and embargoes, international export controls, cross-border trade regulations, implementation of relevant export control business processes, and international export compliance.
• Design a Group wide, adequate and effective Partner and Trade Compliance framework for second line assurance of MTN compliance in the subject areas to be operationalised and rolled out to all MTN OpCos. This will be done in accordance with MTN Group Compliance Methodology and includes enabling a Compliance Universe, Compliance Risk Management Plans, Monitoring and Testing of controls.
• Provide assurance that MTN’s key Business Partners as well as MTN itself are operating in accordance with regulations and expectations in the areas of ABC, Conflicts of Interest, Data Privacy, Economic Sanctions, Embargoes, Export Controls, and ESG (Subject Areas).
• Be the Centre of Excellence and Advisory officer to MTN Group Manco and all OpCos in all subject areas owned by Risk and Compliance. Act as cross-functional collaborative coordinator with the functional owners of the other Subject Areas, such as Conflict of Interest, ESG, etc to strive for MTN having a comprehensive best industry practice aligned approach.
• Ensure and follow up on MTN awareness and accountability in subject areas owned by Group R&C by training and awareness sessions, oversight and monitoring.
• Be the subject matter expert on sanctions and embargoes, international export controls, cross-border trade regulations, implementation of relevant export control business processes, and international export compliance.
• Be the focal point in the response to incoming Business Partner Compliance Questionnaires on Subject Areas. As such, represent MTN and coordinate the MTN response to inquiries from MTN Business Partners.
• Create and manage a program in requesting key Business Partners to respond to MTN Compliance Questionnaires on Subject Areas as well as initiate and oversee assessments of Business Partners’ Compliance Programs in Subject Areas, reviewing their adequacy and effectiveness.
• Perform Sanctions and Export Control advisory Key Business Areas and Key Projects (Hyperscalers, cloud-based platform marketplaces, Hub & Spoke Delivery models, SAS, etc)
• Provide key Sanctions and Export Control regulation monitoring, Sanctions and Export Control risk analysis and Sanctions screening.
• Be an MTN internal service provider of Due Diligence and Background checks of Business Partners and individuals (IAFS investigations and Supplier onboarding excluded).

Key Deliverables

• Partner and Trade Compliance Framework that is adequate and effective
• Group strategy on MTN Sanctions and Export Control position and risk appetite
• Business Partner Compliance Program with Questionnaires and Monitoring Methodology
• Updated and documented policies and procedures in subject areas owned by R&C
• Increased awareness on Partner and Trade Compliance initiatives and subject areas
• Effective handling of incoming Business Partner Questionnaires in subject areas
• Sanctions and Export Control Risk Matrix
• Reporting as required to Group ExCo, Group ERMCO, Group Compliance Steerco, and Group Risk, Compliance and Corporate Governance Committee

Role Dependencies

• Active and timely support from the MTN Policy Owners in Subject Areas
• Deep understanding of the MTN business strategy
• Understanding of the relevant legal environments
• Alignment of OpCo and Group risk and compliance initiatives
• Good communication and collaboration with Group Manco Executives and OpCo ExCo members as well as CxO levels in various entities and platform businesses

Education :

• Minimum 4-year degree in Law / Audit / Risk Management
• Masters, MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification (advantageous)
• International certification in Risk Management, Compliance, Ethics, AML, or similar area among the Subject Areas will be an advantage
• Admitted attorney / advocate / auditor will be an advantage
• Fluent in English, if coupled with French and / or Arabic will be an advantage

Experience :

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in area of specialisation (cf. Subject Areas); with experience in supervising others
• Minimum 5 years in senior manager role
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies
• Experience working in a medium to large organisation experience working in cross-functional, matrixed environments, influencing senior stakeholders, and mobilizing execution across diverse teams
• Experience in sanctions and export controls and regulatory parameters

Capabilities :

• Strategy Formulator, Decisive Problem Solver, Innovative Value Creator
• Culture and Change Champion, Inspiring People Leader, Relationship Builder
• Results Achiever, Operationally Astute

Functional Competencies :

• Enterprise Risk Management
• Assurance Frameworks
• Trade, Sanctions and Export Controls

Competencies :

• Execution Discipline – Operates with high personal accountability, driving projects through to closure.
• Problem Solving & Prioritisation – Navigates ambiguity and prioritises competing transformation demands with clarity and focus.
• Structured Communication – Communicates progress, risks, and decisions clearly through dashboards, reports, and oral briefings to senior stakeholders.