COMPLIANCE OFFICER (Banking Sector)

ARE YOU A PROVEN COMPLIANCE OFFICER? THEN THIS COULD BE YOUR NEXT CAREER MOVE....

                                COMPLIANCE OFFICER (Banking Sector)

Overview:  

Our client is one of the leading finance institutions in the Caribbean Region with offices in most countries. Due to expansion, they are seeking to appoint a proven professional to add value to the compliance team based in St. Lucia.

Description:

The Compliance Officer is expected to provide regulatory advice and suggest practical perspectives on how laws and regulations translate into to specific operational requirements to promote compliance literacy for the offices in St. Lucia.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Supervises adherence to the Annual Compliance Programme by ensuring compliance plans/reviews are completed in a timely basis: identify risks and/or breaches in internal policies or local regulations; making recommendations for resolutions to the Compliance Manager.
• Keeps abreast of local, regional and international trends, typologies, best practices, and legislative changes (e.g. AML/CFT, FATCA, CRS, IFRS 9) that may impact the Compliance Programme and communicate changes to the, staff (if applicable).
• Review and update the Compliance Department internal procedural manual and AML/CFT policy and procedures.
• Coordinate the revision of operational policies and procedures where regulatory changes are required or as necessary. 
• Supervises the tracking for identification of exception items in relation to policies and procedures, and conduct risk assessments of these items to determine the level of monitoring needed, and the corresponding actions to be taken, where necessary.
• Participates in the development of products and services by assessing the potential compliance risk, and provide an opinion.
• Conducts compliance assessments (e.g. legislative changes, policies, etc.), records findings and provides a written report to the Compliance Manager as appropriate.
• Conducts/Sign-offs file reviews based on pre-defined risk based rules and offers constructive feedback to managers within the entity as appropriate. This includes risk rating new and retrospective accounts to identify gaps within customer due diligence information.
• Developing training programs (updating and creating e-learning modules, face-to-face sessions, etc.) tasks to mitigate any possible compliance risk (e.g. ML/TF, credit, fraud, etc.) exposure.
• Reviews processes and tools developed by the Compliance Department for use by staff.
• Assists in maintaining organised compliance files (physical and electronic), inclusive of internal logs and trackers.
• Monitor wire transfer activity for AML/CFT purposes.
• Monitor adverse media reports.
• Monitor prudential and statutory returns/reporting.
• Processing of unusual activity reports, and the preparation suspicious activity reports (SAR) to be submitted to the Compliance Manager and FIA.
• Liaise with the regulators and other external agencies, as required.
• Supports the preparation of monthly, quarterly or ad-hoc reports by compiling status reports and submits to the Compliance Manager as required.
• Attends compulsory training (webinars/seminars/conferences regarding Compliance, Audit, Fraud Awareness etc.) as required, and prepares reports to the Compliance Manager.
• Ensures the continued development of employees, providing coaching, training and development opportunities to improve skills, attitude and competence.
• Advising the business.
• Prepares monthly/quarterly reports for submission to the Board of Directors, CEO, Central Bank as required.
• Performs such other related duties as assigned.

Position Nature & Scope:

The Compliance Officer assists the Compliance Manager, in ensuring that a robust the compliance program is established, which is as an independent and objective body that reviews and evaluates compliance issues/concerns within the Group.

Individual Functions Performed:     

The Compliance Officer monitor and report on results of the compliance/ethics efforts of the company and provide guidance for the Compliance Manager, on matters relating to compliance. 

Major Challenges & Deliverables:

Ability to manage multiple priorities, given extremely tight deadlines.

Continuous interaction with various stakeholders, internal and external. 

Considerable tact and diplomacy to maintain supportive and co-operative internal relations within the St. Lucia office.

Contacts:       

• All employees within St. Lucia office.
• Internal and External audit teams.
• Regulatory Bodies and other Governmental Agencies

Experience/Qualifications Required:

• Ideally 3 years’ relevant experience within the financial services, accounting, legal or a related environment.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Banking or related area.
• An International Diploma in Compliance or a professional Compliance qualification would be an asset.
• Knowledge of Central Bank and ECCB regulatory framework.

Knowledge Required:

A strong background in Compliance and Anti-money Laundering. 

Knowledge of the laws and regulations of the St. Lucia operation.

Personal Attributes: 

•          Proven adaptability, use of initiative and ability to work under pressure.

•          Team player skills

•          Problem solving skills

•          Strong analytical skills

•          Proven ability to assimilate information from an expansive variety of sources.

•          Innovative and results oriented.

•          Strong interpersonal skills.

•          Strong written and oratorical skills

•          Ability to work independently and successfully apply professional judgment.

•          Excellent time management capabilities.

•          Strong IT skills:  ability to use Microsoft Windows and Office Software particularly Word and Excel.           

•          Deal with a range of people demonstrating confidentiality and respect in particular:  Elected members, senior managers and staff and contacts within regulatory bodies.

•          Have a keen eye for detail

•          Ability to plan and prioritise own workload