Head of AML Compliance

Company description:

Digicel Group Limited

Job description:

Primary objective of the job: 

The Head of AML Compliance is responsible for providing strategic leadership, guidance, and support to help ensure that Digicel operations, including financial services operations, comply with applicable laws and regulations addressing money laundering, terrorism financing, and sanctions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the CCCO and consistent with the Group Ethics & Compliance Program:

• • Establish and continuously enhance a robust AML/CTF compliance framework for Digicel’s Financial Services business, aligned with regulatory expectations and industry best practices
  • Ensure effective identification, management, and mitigation of AML and sanctions risks across all operations
  • Act as the Group AML subject matter expert, leading strategic initiatives and providing guidance on regulatory requirements and emerging risks
  • Strengthen controls and oversight to prevent, detect, and respond to risks associated with money laundering and sanctions
  • Promote a strong culture of ethics and compliance, ensuring awareness, accountability, and adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies
  • Lead the design, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the enterprise-wide AML/CTF compliance initiatives, including establishing or updating policies and procedures to align with regulatory requirements
  • Provide strategic direction, oversight, and guidance to Financial Services compliance teams to ensure consistent and effective execution of AML compliance activities
  • Oversee and continuously enhance AML risk assessments across customers, products, channels, and geographies, ensuring alignment with the Group’s risk framework
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable AML/CTF laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance (e.g., FATF, local regulators)
  • Monitor regulatory developments and ensure timely implementation of required changes
  • Oversee key AML controls, including, but not limited to, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, suspicious activity reporting
  • Ensure effectiveness, calibration, and ongoing optimization of AML systems, screening tools, and detection models
  • Oversee sanctions screening processes for customers, agents, vendors, and other relevant third parties in collaboration with Procurement and Group Ethics & Compliance
  • Approve high-risk client onboarding, retention decisions, and escalation outcomes related to potential financial crime risks
  • Partner with business and functional stakeholders to design, implement, and maintain effective controls to prevent, detect, and respond to AML and broader compliance risks
  • Monitor, test, and assess control effectiveness, ensuring timely identification, escalation, and remediation of compliance issues and control deficiencies
  • Engage with regulators, auditors, and external stakeholders as required, including supporting regulatory examinations, inquiries, and reporting obligations
  • Promote and embed a strong culture of ethics, integrity, and compliance across the organization, with a focus on addressing money laundering and sanctions risks
  • Other activities associated with preventing, detecting and responding to ethics and compliance risks

Academic Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Bachelor or graduate degree in Law, Finance, or related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience in compliance, risk management, or a related field
• Proven experience in financial services or a related industry
• Strong knowledge of relevant industry standards, laws, and regulations, including those addressing money laundering, sanctions, fraud, terrorism financing, bribery, corruption, and mobile financial services
• Experience engaging with regulators and other key stakeholders

Functional Skills:

• Strong compliance and risk management skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead and manage a team
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and compliance software