Head of Compliance

This is an exciting opportunity to join Mukuru as Head of Compliance. Mukuru has recently undergone a period of significant expansion and the Head of Compliance will be expected to lead the compliance function to the next stage of its development. This role is open to applicants from Cape Town or Johannesburg.

Reporting directly to the Group General Counsel, this role will be critical in overseeing Mukuru’s international compliance operations to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures as well as considering emerging risks across all jurisdictions in which we operate, including jurisdictions in Africa, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

This is a senior role providing an exciting opportunity to shape Mukuru’s compliance framework and programme, which will operate in a dynamic, fast paced environment.

The role will ensure there are established standards, relevant policies and procedures in identifying, preventing, detecting and correcting non-compliance, whilst ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of the control environment for Mukuru. Mukuru entities are authorised and regulated in the jurisdictions where the Group operates, including by the South African Reserve Bank (Financial Surveillance Department), Financial Services Conduct Authority, National Credit Regulator and the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

You will exercise your gravitas working closely with a range of senior / board level internal and external stakeholders and will actively encourage a culture of compliance across the Group. Therefore, we are ideally looking for someone who has significant operational and governance experience, and strong leadership skills.

**Duties and Responsibilities (Include but are not limited to)**:

- To lead and be accountable for the management of the compliance function and development of a large international compliance team
- To proactively drive and maintain a robust compliance framework including policies and procedures, committee terms of reference and compliance training
- To ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures across all Mukuru Group entities, with prior knowledge across Africa, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and various emerging markets
- To provide and present quarterly reports to the Audit Committee on Mukuru’s compliance maturity and key compliance risks
- To provide comprehensive advice and support to the Board and business ensuring that Mukuru’s activities are conducted in accordance with internal guidelines and broader regulatory expectations
- To oversee and implement the compliance assurance plan across the Group to strengthen Mukuru’s combined assurance framework
- To take overall responsibility for the oversight of key compliance risks posed by licensing and exchange control, financial crime, data protection and regulatory change
- Collaborating with the wider business in developing an appropriate compliance oversight strategy and ensuring a consistent approach is adopted across the business
- To act as a compliance ambassador in supporting the development and embedment of a compliance culture across the Group
- Together with commercial colleagues, managing and developing Mukuru’s relationship with its regulators

**Key Requirements**:

- Graduate qualification in Law (LLB) / Commerce BCom (LLB) or equivalent (Essential)
- Diploma in Compliance Management, member of the Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists and/or Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. (preferred)
- Substantial compliance experience (at least 10 years) relating to financial crime, data protection, exchange control and payments, of which at least 5years should be within the financial services industry, preferably with a specific focus on fintech payment institutions
- Experience working with various regulatory bodies such as South African Reserve Bank (Financial Surveillance Department), Financial Services Conduct Authority, National Credit Regulator and the UK Financial Conduct Authority
- Management experience (at least 4 years) with a proven track record of successfully managing a large team of compliance professionals, across various continents
- Excellent working knowledge of financial crime, payments, data protection and licensing legislation, regulations, and best practices across Africa, UK, and the EU
- Excellent drafting and presentation skills, targeted at various audiences and levels of seniority
- Ability to communicate effectively (both oral and written), stay calm and work well under pressure to meet competing deadlines
- The ability to challenge assumptions and to drive forward a compliance agenda
- **Should you be appointed in a remote/work from home role at Mukuru, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have uninterrupted internet connectivity and a ‘work-like’ environment at your home location, in order to deliver yo