Sanctions Officer

HALA; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning stipend

Shares potential

Hybrid/Remote work options

Diverse, multinational team

Mentoring and growth focus

Challenging goals with autonomy

Job summary

HALA is a leading fintech in the MENAP region providing tools for SMEs to digitize payments and manage operations. The role focuses on sanctions screening, AML/CTF compliance, and investigations, requiring 2–4 years of experience.

You will analyze alerts, assess matches, document findings, and support authorities with requests while working in a dynamic, multilingual environment. The team values rigorous screening, regulatory awareness, and collaboration across diverse functions.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in AML/CTF and sanctions.
• Strong investigative and analytical capabilities.
• In-depth understanding of sanctions screening processes and name-matching methodologies.
• Ability to assess complex risk scenarios and provide sound recommendations.
• Strong documentation and report-writing skills.
• Good communication skills in Arabic and English.

Responsibilities

• Conduct sanctions name screening for new and existing customers, transactions, employees, and third parties.
• Analyze alerts and assess match level (False/True Match) and escalate as needed.
• Investigate potential matches and gather evidence before escalation to sanctions management.
• Execute instructions to stop or suspend transactions when required.
• Update screening records with complete and accurate documentation.
• Implement freezing or temporary blocking of transactions or accounts for confirmed matches.
• Maintain up-to-date sanctions lists and reflect regulatory updates in systems.
• Support authorities with sanctions-related requests in line with approvals.
• Contribute to reducing false positives by providing feedback to screening criteria.

Skills

Investigative capabilities

Analytical capabilities

Sanctions screening knowledge

Risk assessment

Documentation & reporting

Arabic & English communication

Regulatory awareness

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration (or related field)

Job description

HALA is a leading fintech player in the MENAP region that aims to redefine financial services and build the future bank of SMEs. HALA aims at empowering SMEs to start, run, and grow their businesses by providing them with cutting-edge financial and technological tools.

HALA currently holds multiple entities in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt (including HALA Payments and HALA Logistics) and offers solutions that enable merchants to digitize their payments as well as manage their sales and operations.

Founded in 2017, HALA is currently licensed by the Saudi Arabian Central Bank.

• Conduct sanctions name screening for new customers, existing customers, transactions, employees, and third parties.
• Analyze alerts generated by screening systems and assess the level of match (False Match / True Match).
• Conduct necessary investigations for potential matches and gather supporting evidence and information before escalating to the Sanctions Manager.
• Execute instructions to stop or suspend transactions when required.
• Update screening records and ensure complete and accurate documentation.
• Implement freezing or temporary blocking of transactions or accounts upon confirmed matches, in accordance with approved policies and procedures.
• Update and review approved sanctions lists within the system and ensure that any regulatory updates are reflected in a timely manner.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of information related to sanctions cases.
• Support the execution of requests from competent authorities related to specific sanctions cases, in accordance with approved authorities.
• Contribute to the reduction of false positives by providing practical feedback to enhance screening criteria and parameters.
• Conduct periodic rescreening of existing customers upon updates to sanctions lists or changes in customer data.
• Support sanctions screening system effectiveness testing by reviewing samples and validating match results.

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Equivalent years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

The education levels can be replaced by years of experience

2–4 years of experience in AML/CTF and sanctions

Strong investigative and analytical capabilities.

In-depth understanding of sanctions screening processes and name-matching methodologies.

Ability to assess complex risk scenarios and provide sound recommendations.

Strong documentation and report-writing skills.

Good communication skills in Arabic and English.

Relevant certifications such as CCO, CGSS , or equivalent.

Regulatory Awareness – Proficient

Analytical & Investigative Skills – Proficient

Risk Assessment Capability – Proficient

What We Offer You

We believe you will love working at HALA!

• We have an inclusive and diverse culture that encourages innovation and flexibility in remote, in-office, and hybrid work setups.
• We offer highly competitive compensation packages, including the potential for shares.
• We prioritize personal development and offer regular training and an annual learning stipend to tackle new challenges and grow your career in a hyper-growth environment.
• Join a talented team of over 30 nationalities working in 7 countries and gain valuable experience in an exciting industry.
• We offer autonomy, mentoring, and challenging goals that create incredible opportunities for both you and the company.
• You will be given a lot of responsibility and trust.We believe that the best results come when the people responsible for a function are given the freedom to do what they think is best.