AVP - Compliance

About Us:
Network International is the largest Financial Technology company in Middle East and Africa. Payments is our core business where we provide services in more than 50 countries – UAE, Jordan, South Africa, Egypt are some of our key markets. Apart from payments, we provide services on Data and Insights, Lending, Insurance, Risk Solutions, etc. Our core customers are businesses at every scale and segment, though recently we are growing in direct-to-consumer card segment as well.
Our EVP:
At Network International, we always stay ahead. In the fast-paced world of financial services, we thrive on innovation, agility, and purposeful collaboration. We invest first in our people, empowering you to make bold decisions, learn fast and grow your expertise alongside industry leaders. Here, solving complex problems means more than using cutting-edge technology; it’s about creating meaningful value for our customers, together. We foster a culture where trust, accountability, and achievement go hand in hand - because success isn’t just a goal; it’s how we work, every day, as one team.
Job Description:
The purpose of the job is to act as the person responsible for leading and continuously enhancing the organization's Compliance and Regulatory Risk Management Framework. The role ensures adherence to applicable South African regulatory requirements, including FSR Act, SARB, FSCA, Prudential Authority (PA), FICA, PASA requirements, along with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (B-BBEE), while promoting a strong culture of ethics, compliance, and risk awareness across the organization. The position acts as a trusted advisor to senior management, Board committees, and regulators on compliance, governance, financial crime, and regulatory risk matters. 

The role provides support to the Group Chief Risk Officer and is responsible for coordinating regulatory reporting activities and ensuring strict reporting timeframes are met.
 

Responsibilities:
Support the implementation and ongoing enhancement of the Compliance Program, including the risk and compliance framework, risk assessments, control testing, AML/CTF training, regulatory reviews, maintenance of the obligations register, and related awareness initiatives, ensuring all activities are delivered within agreed timelines.

• Identify, assess, record, and monitor compliance and regulatory issues, partnering with business stakeholders to implement timely remediation actions and providing regular status reporting and performance metrics.

• Oversee Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) activities, providing AML support for customer onboarding and transactional reviews, including the assessment of high-risk exposures.

• Act as the South Africa Data Protection Officer (DPO), providing advice, oversight, and monitoring of compliance with applicable data protection and privacy requirements.

• Serve as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and ensure compliance with applicable anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and financial crime regulations.

• Support regulatory change management initiatives and participate in ad hoc projects, regulatory reviews, and compliance-related assignments.

• Promote and foster a strong culture of compliance, ethics, and risk awareness throughout the organization.

• Provide guidance and support to business units on compliance with applicable laws, regulations, internal policies, and procedures.

• Manage regulatory reporting obligations, including the preparation and submission of regulatory notifications, reports, and communications to relevant authorities within prescribed deadlines.

• Maintain records and documentation in a state of continuous audit readiness in accordance with regulatory and internal requirements.

• Escalate significant compliance issues, regulatory breaches, and business risks to the appropriate management and governance forums. 

•  Provide subject matter expertise and advisory support on applicable local and international regulatory requirements, ensuring the effective implementation of the firm's compliance framework.

• Review, investigate, and escalate suspicious activities and transactions, including the preparation and submission of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), where required.

• Conduct thematic reviews, deep-dive assessments, compliance monitoring activities, and gap analyses to evaluate adherence to existing and emerging regulatory obligations.

• Act as the regulatory subject matter expert for assigned areas, providing guidance on regulatory interpretation, business impact assessments, and control environment effectiveness.

• Lead the preparation of regulatory consultation paper reviews, impact assessments, and regulatory change summaries for management consideration.

• Support broader compliance activities, including cross-border regulatory reviews, contract compliance assessments, Board and senior management reporting, and monitoring and surveillance activities.

• Assist business units in conducting Risk Assessments (RAs), Risk and Control Self-Assessments (RCSAs), and reviews of new products, processes, business changes, and strategic initiatives.

• Support the identification, assessment, reporting, and remediation of operational incidents, compliance breaches, and losses.

• Perform any additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Risk Officer.

• Experience/Skills Required:

•  Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Law, Risk Management, Compliance, or a related discipline, supported by a strong academic and professional track record. 

• Professional compliance qualification (e.g., ACAMS or equivalent) is desirable. 

• 3–5 years' experience in Compliance, Risk, Regulatory Affairs, Financial Crime Compliance, or a related field, preferably within financial services, payments, fintech, or other regulated environments. 

• Knowledge of the South African regulatory framework, including FSR, FSCA, SARB, PASA, and B-BBEE requirements, would be advantageous. 

• Sound understanding of governance, risk management, and industry standards such as ISO 27001, ISO 22301, ISO 9001, and PCI-DSS. 

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess and mitigate regulatory and compliance risks. 

• Excellent report writing, presentation, and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels. 

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. 

• Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and relationship-building abilities, with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach. 

• Self-motivated, accountable, and capable of taking ownership of responsibilities, with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced and evolving regulatory environment while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

 
Network International is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, nationalities, and experience levels. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where innovation, diversity, and performance thrive.