Sanctions Officer / Sanctions Legal Counsel

Centalion; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Gunvor Group invites an experienced sanctions professional to join our global sanctions team as Sanctions Officer / Sanctions Legal Counsel in Singapore. The role provides legal and sanctions compliance support across the Asia-Pacific region, advising commercial stakeholders and enhancing Gunvor's sanctions framework.

Responsibilities include leading sanctions reviews, due diligence, vessel screening, and regulatory monitoring, with collaboration across trading, M&A, and trade finance teams.

Qualifications

• Law degree strongly preferred.
• 5+ years hands-on sanctions law or compliance experience.
• Experience in commodities trading or energy is desirable.
• Strong understanding of US/EU/UK sanctions regimes.
• Experience with Asia-Pacific regulatory frameworks is valuable.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary sanctions point of contact for APAC business activities.
• Provide practical, risk-based advice on sanctions compliance matters.
• Conduct sanctions reviews of transactions and counterparties.
• Manage due diligence and counterparty questionnaires for APAC operations.
• Perform vessel screening activities and monitor regulatory developments.
• Deliver sanctions training and awareness programmes to teams.
• Support governance, controls, and assurance initiatives.

Skills

Legal analysis

Regulatory interpretation

Stakeholder communication

Education

Law degree

Job description

Job Title

Sanctions Officer / Sanctions Legal Counsel

Contract Type

Permanent

Time Type

Job Description

Summary Of Company

Gunvor Group is one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy from where it is sourced and stored to where it is demanded most. With strategic investments in industrial infrastructure—refineries, pipelines, storage, and terminals—Gunvor further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers. Gunvor, founded in 2000, generated US$135 billion in revenues on volumes of 240 million MT in 2021. The company remains on track to meet its goal of cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions 40% by 2025. Gunvor has more than 1,500 employees and it maintains offices in Singapore, Amsterdam, Beijing, Dubai, Geneva, Houston, London, Shanghai, and Tallinn with new offices planned in strategically relevant markets.

Overview Of Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Sanctions Officer / Sanctions Legal Counsel to join our global Sanctions team. Reporting to the Global Head of Sanctions, the successful candidate will provide legal and sanctions compliance support on matters across the Asia-Pacific region, acting as a key adviser to commercial stakeholders and helping ensure the effective implementation of Gunvor's sanctions compliance framework. The role combines advisory, operational and assurance responsibilities and offers exposure to a broad range of international trade, energy and shipping matters.

Main Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary sanctions point of contact for Asia-Pacific business activities and provide practical, risk-based advice to commercial and support functions on US, UK, EU sanctions compliance matters as well as Asia-Pacific regulatory frameworks.
• Conduct sanctions reviews of transactions, counterparties, vessels screening and ownership structures, including complex cross-border matters for Gunvor's Asia-Pacific operations.
• Manage sanctions due diligence, KYC escalations and sanctions-related counterparty questionnaires for Gunvor's Asia-Pacific operations.
• Perform and oversee vessel screening activities for Gunvor's Asia-Pacific operations.
• Support traders, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and trade finance teams on sanctions risks relating to transactions, tenders and commercial opportunities for Gunvor's Asia-Pacific operations.
• Monitor sanctions and related regulatory developments affecting Asia-Pacific markets and prepare practical guidance for business stakeholders.
• Lead or contribute to sanctions risk assessments, compliance reviews, control testing and internal assurance initiatives.
• Deliver sanctions training and awareness programmes to commercial and support teams.
• Support the ongoing enhancement of sanctions controls, policies, procedures and governance frameworks.
• Perform other ad-hoc duties assigned by manager

Profile

The Individual Should Have The Following Experience

• Law degree strongly preferred.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in sanctions law, sanctions compliance or international trade compliance.
• Experience within commodities trading, energy, shipping, or another relevant internationally exposed industry is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of US, EU and UK sanctions regimes. Experience with sanctions (countersanctions) of China and relevant Asia-Pacific regulatory frameworks would be particularly valuable.
• Experience conducting sanctions risk assessments, compliance reviews, control testing or audit-related activities is preferred.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical business guidance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
• High level of professional judgment, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced commercial environment.

Our people make all the difference in our success.