Lead Compliance, Sanctions

Mashreq; Karachi Division; On-site; PKR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Mashreq is seeking a Compliance professional to interpret domestic and international sanctions and oversee screening alerts, ensuring adherence to the bank's policies.

The role emphasizes investigation of high‑risk alerts, cross‑unit collaboration, and monthly/ad hoc reporting to strengthen sanctions risk management.

Qualifications

• 3 + years banking experience including compliance experience.
• Professional qualification (like ACAMS, CGSS) is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Review and disposition of Sanctions screening alerts through investigation and policy adherence.
• Coordinate with business units for alert resolution and client information.
• Handle Sanctions referrals per Bank policy, ensuring no breach of sanctions guidance.
• Provide effective support and maintain metrics per internal procedures; prepare reports.
• Identify areas needing attention or strengthening and recommend changes per regulations.
• Record keeping: confidential, secure state; adhere to retention policy and SOP guidelines.
• Maintain relationships with Business, Operations and other Compliance functions.
• Assist in Compliance projects including deployment of system and procedural changes.

Skills

Sanctions compliance

Risk assessment

Analytical thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Tools

Sanctions screening systems

Job description

Job Purpose:

Interpret domestic and international sanctions (UAE, US, UK, EU, UN etc.) and maintain sufficient awareness and knowledge of Sanctions that impact the bank and/or its branches or subsidiaries.

Conduct investigation of complex and high-risk Sanctions alerts as per the regulatory requirements and in accordance with internal Compliance policies and procedures.

Ensure full adherence to Group Sanctions Policy, including but not limited to related Sanctions Guidance and operating procedures.

Support Compliance Manager in identifying Sanctions risk themes and trends and improve sanctions risk management capability.

Key Responsibility Areas:

• Review and disposition of Sanctions screening alerts through effective investigation and adherence to policies, standards and procedures. Highlight concerns, trends and patterns to Compliance Manager.
• Coordinate with the business units in relation to resolution of alerts and client information.
• Handle Sanctions referrals as per the Bank’s policy, ensuring no breach of the applicable sanctions policies, standards and guidance.
• Provide effective support and maintain metrics as per internal procedures; prepare monthly and adhoc management reports.
• Identify and escalates areas requiring attention or strengthening and recommend changes and improvements in line with industry standards and applicable regulations.
• Record keeping
  1. All records of the unit must be kept in a confidential and secure state
  2. Adhere to record retention policy and the SOP guidelines
• Maintain effective working relationships with Business, Operations and other Compliance functions.
• Assist in Compliance projects as and when required including effective deployment of s ystem and procedural changes as required.

Operating Environment, Framework and Boundaries, Working Relationships:

• Effective knowledge of the Bank’s Compliance, Sanctions, AML and KYC / CDD policies and procedures.
• Adequate understanding of various sanction programmes, e.g., OFAC, UN, UK, EU, UAE Target Financial Sanctions etc.
• Experience within the financial services industry.
• Clear understanding of relevant business and operations processes that support sanctions screening.
• Good understanding of core banking and Sanctions screening systems and their interaction / use.

Problem Solving:

Pro-active approach to problem solving and handling of the complex situations

Analytical thinking, Attention to details and educative judgment.

Decision Making Authority & Responsibilities:

In liaison with Compliance Manager.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

3 + years banking experience including compliance experience.

• Compliance risk professional with experience in one or more risk compliance roles including relevant Sanctions experience.
• Knowledge of Sanctions regulations and guidance.
• Lateral thinker with an ability to interpret and solve complex issues.
• Excellent communicator with strong inter-personal and influencing skills.
• Ability to adapt to change and provide inputs where necessary.
• Effective team player with ability to work collaboratively.
• Professional qualification (like ACAMS, CGSS) is desirable.