Compliance Officer - AML (Payments)

Black Pen Recruitment; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth fintech company is seeking a Compliance Officer in Cape Town. This role involves implementing compliance frameworks and conducting KYC checks. Ideal candidates have a Law degree and at least 3 years of relevant experience in financial services or banking. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential. Work is hybrid.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years PQE in compliance within financial services, banking, or payments.
• Experience or exposure to cryptocurrency and digital asset regulation.

Responsibilities

• Support the compliance framework and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Conduct Know-Your-Customer (KYC) checks on new clients.
• Review and resolve customer screening alerts.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Organisational abilities

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or tertiary qualification in Law

Job description

Our client is a high-growth fintech company building the next generation of payment infrastructure across Africa. Their mission is to make money movement seamless, inclusive, and scalable across borders. They operate at the intersection of financial innovation and real-world impact, empowering businesses and consumers with tools to thrive in a rapidly digitizing economy.

Role Overview

The Compliance Officer will assist in implementing and maintaining the company’s compliance framework across all business lines, including financial services, crypto asset trading, and payments. The role involves conducting due diligence, transaction monitoring, and investigations while supporting broader regulatory, reporting, and policy initiatives. This is an intermediate-level position offering exposure to multiple regulated environments.

Job Type

Permanent/Full Time

Location

Cape Town

Workplace

Hybrid

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or tertiary qualification in Law.
• At least 3 years PQE exposed to compliance in financial services, banking and payments environments.
• Experience or exposure to cryptocurrency and digital asset regulation.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy.
• Strong organisational abilities and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.

Responsibilities

Compliance Operations

• Support the company’s compliance framework, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and industry standards across all business areas.
• Assist in implementing, maintaining, and updating compliance policies and procedures to align with evolving regulatory obligations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date compliance records and documentation.

KYC & Due Diligence

• Conduct Know-Your-Customer (KYC) checks on new clients and perform ongoing due diligence reviews on existing clients and counterparties.
• Review and verify KYC documentation during the onboarding process to ensure all required checks are completed prior to account activation.
• Support enhanced due diligence processes for high-risk clients or complex structures.

Screening & Monitoring

• Review and resolve customer screening alerts, including politically exposed persons (PEPs), sanctions, and adverse media matches.
• Monitor and analyse transactions for potential suspicious or unusual activity.
• Conduct investigations and assist in preparing and submitting Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) or Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).

Investigations & Reporting

• Assist in investigating flagged accounts and responding to requests or inquiries from banks, counterparties, and regulatory authorities.
• Collaborate with fraud operations, banking, and payment partners to mitigate financial crime risks.
• Contribute to the preparation of internal and external compliance reports.

Regulatory Awareness & Collaboration

• Stay current with changes in AML, KYC, and financial services and payments regulations across relevant jurisdictions.
• Work closely with senior compliance and legal functions to ensure company-wide understanding and application of compliance obligations.
• Support the maintenance of relationships with payment, banking, and regulatory partners.