Legal, Risk, and Compliance Officer

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 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).