Compliance Assistant

Ellahi Consulting; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Ellahi Consulting, an international law firm in Sandton, Johannesburg, seeks a Compliance Officer to support AML/CDD governance and client due diligence. You will liaise with legal staff and support teams, review CDD, and assist with ongoing monitoring.

The role requires Matric and a BCom or LLB (final year) with prior compliance experience. Strong communication and organisational skills are essential for success in a high‑pressure environment.

Qualifications

• Matric or equivalent is required.
• BCom, LLB or equivalent (at least in final year of studies).
• Previous work experience, including any part time work.
• Compliance/AML (Anti-Money Laundering).

Responsibilities

• Client Research: conduct personal research from public sources and liaise with staff to obtain CDD information.
• Review and update CDD for existing clients; ensure enhanced due diligence when required.
• Maintain and update the firm's CDD evidence in a clear and concise manner.
• Assist with Ongoing Monitoring and updates to client details in the 3E client database.
• Provide advisory support on AML/CDD policy and participate in related administrative projects.

Skills

Communication

Organisation

Time management

Commercial awareness

Compliance/AML

Education

Matric

BCom or LLB (final year)

Job description

Industry: International Law Firm

Location: Sandton, Johannesburg

Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm but additional hours may be required
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Matric or equivalent
• BCom, LLB or equivalent (at least in final year of studies)
• Previous work experience, including any part time work
• Compliance/AML (Anti-Money Laundering)

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED

• Knowledge of a centralised/ shared services environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organisational, administrative and time management skills
• Commercial awareness
  

Key Accountabilities of the Performance Areas:

Client Research:

• Conduct a degree of personal research from public sources including:
  • Familiarisation with a wide array of potential sources such as company registries, stock exchange websites, financial and legal regulators' websites, company search providers and external databases.
• Liaise with legal staff, support staff and research teams to obtain any outstanding CDD (Customer Due Diligence) information.
• Liaise with the Firm’s support departments, notably the Finance, Research, Conflicts and also Personal Assistants.
• Where appropriate and where asked to, liaise directly with the firm's clients regarding CDD requirements.
• Assist those conducting CDD on new clients when required.
• Conduct risk rating reviews on clients taking into account the information gathered during the CDD process including research relating to ongoing investigations (adverse press) against certain clients and determining whether a risk level of a client may be lowered or should be raised.
• Utilise external subscription databases to screen existing clients, their directors and shareholders in order to identify PEPs, influential persons, presence on Sanctions lists, criminal activity and adverse press. Escalate these issues where appropriate
  

Reports and Database Administration:

• Review the CDD held on existing clients of the firm by updating CDD held for clients registered since the implementation of the UK Money Laundering Regulations.
• Ensure that CDD is updated to the appropriate standard, including an enhanced level of due diligence where required.
• Document the evidence obtained during the CDD process in a clear and concise manner.
• Where it becomes clear when conducting Ongoing Monitoring or CDD that certain details of the client have changed since it has been registered as a new client, such as the client’s registered name, the parent group or the registered address, take appropriate action to update this on the 3E client database and communicate these changes to the respective stakeholders.
• Assist in maintaining the firm's PEP databases.

Advisory and Projects

• Provide advice and guidance to partners, fee-earners and support staff in relation to the requirements of Compliance legislation and the interpretation and application of the firm's AML/CDD policy.
• Participate in administrative projects under the supervision of more senior Compliance Officers, specifically relating to Ongoing Monitoring

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Must be able to handle pressure, setbacks and a high level of stress
• Must be able to work to deadlines
• Must be able to maintain strict adherence to confidentiality policies
• Must have clear criminal and credit records
• Ability to handle queries efficiently with diplomacy and tact
• Ability to follow instructions precisely
• Adapting and responding to change
• Strong work ethic with an inherent sense of urgency
• Delivering results and meeting business expectations
• Working with others
• Delivering through others