Responsibilities:

Legal & Regulatory Adherence:

Monitor and interpret changes in local and international laws, regulations, and industry standards applicable to fintech operations (e.g., Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), data protection laws like GDPR, and consumer protection laws).
Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies and external auditors, coordinating responses to inquiries, inspections, and investigations.
Ensure all necessary regulatory permissions and licenses remain current and appropriate for business needs.
Negotiate, draft, and review a variety of legal and business contracts and agreements, advising management on legal implications prior to execution.

Risk Management:

Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive risk management framework and corporate risk register.
Conduct regular risk assessments (including regulatory, operational, cybersecurity, and financial crime risks) to identify, analyse, and mitigate potential threats.
Formulate strategic action plans to minimise and manage identified risks, developing strategies for risk reduction and response.
Propose proactive solutions for legal and regulatory "grey areas" where new products might outpace existing regulations, potentially engaging with regulators to seek clarity.

Compliance Operations & Policy Development:

Develop, implement, and maintain internal policies, procedures, and controls to ensure the organisation meets legal and procedural requirements.
Conduct regular audits and compliance monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of existing controls and identify gaps.
Investigate reported compliance issues or violations, taking appropriate corrective actions and ensuring proper documentation.
Review all marketing and public-facing materials to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Training & Culture:

Develop and deliver compliance training programs and workshops to educate employees on regulatory requirements and foster a strong culture of integrity, ethics, and accountability.
Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders (product, finance, operations, etc.) to embed risk management and compliance within operational planning and decision-making processes.

Requirements:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
Experience: At least 2-3 years of proven experience in a compliance, risk management, legal, or regulatory affairs role, preferably within the fintech or financial services industry.
Knowledge: Deep understanding of relevant financial regulations (e.g., AML, KYC, data protection laws), compliance frameworks, and methodologies.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with strong attention to detail.
Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to non-experts.
Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
High degree of integrity, professionalism, and ethical judgment in handling sensitive information.

Preferred Requirements:

Professional certifications in compliance or related fields (e.g., CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist), CRCM (Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager)).
Experience in a startup environment or experience building a risk/compliance framework from the ground up.
Knowledge of specific regional regulations (e.g., Central Bank of Nigeria guidelines, SEC regulations if applicable).

Legal, Risk and Compliance Officer