Senior Manager – KYC Advisory

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Manager – KYC Advisory is responsible for providing expert, risk-based Know Your Customer (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) advisory, independent challenge and customer financial crime risk oversight across the Bank.

The role ensures that complex and high-risk customer relationships are appropriately assessed, that beneficial ownership and customer risk-rating standards are robust, and that customer financial crime risks are managed within the Bank’s risk appetite, while First Line retains ownership of due diligence execution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead independent specialist advice on complex customer onboarding, retention, high-risk relationships and financial crime risk acceptance.

Challenge First Line due diligence for PEPs, high-risk jurisdictions, adverse media, source of funds and wealth, and complex customer structures.

Advise on beneficial ownership and control tests, trusts, nominees, layered structures and escalation of opaque arrangements.

Oversee the customer risk-rating methodology, risk factors, overrides and alignment with the Business-Wide Risk Assessment (BWRA) and risk appetite.

Oversee periodic and event-driven review standards, KYC deficiencies and escalation arrangements.

Provide technical input into KYC policies, digital onboarding, risk-rating tools, UBO capture and remediation programmes.

Report material customer risks and advisory themes to Management and governance forums.

Lead, develop and allocate resources across the KYC Advisory team.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Provide timely, documented and risk-based advisory opinions on complex and high-risk customer relationships.

Ensure CDD and EDD standards for PEPs, high-risk jurisdictions, high-risk sectors, correspondent relationships and complex structures are robust and consistently applied.

Challenge the adequacy of source of funds and source of wealth assessments, adverse media analysis and risk mitigation measures.

Ensure beneficial ownership is identified and verified in line with the Companies Act, POCAMLA and CBK requirements, and escalate opaque arrangements.

Oversee the customer risk-rating methodology, including risk factors, weightings, overrides and alignment with the BWRA.

Provide Second Line input into high-risk customer acceptance and exit decisions within delegated authority.

Oversee periodic and event-driven review standards and monitor the status of overdue reviews and KYC deficiencies.

Provide technical input into KYC policies, procedures, digital onboarding journeys and new product approvals.

Support KYC remediation programmes and validate the adequacy of remediation standards.

Identify recurring KYC control weaknesses and themes, and ensure remediation is owned by accountable First Line functions.

Escalate material customer financial crime risks and unresolved disagreements to the MLRO and Senior Management.

Prepare MI on advisory volumes, high-risk customer populations, KYC deficiencies and emerging risk themes.

Support regulatory inspections, audits and correspondent bank due diligence requests.

Lead, mentor and develop the team, including performance management, capability building and succession planning.

Qualifications

CORE COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Strong knowledge of AML/CFT/CPF laws, CBK Prudential Guidelines, FATF Standards and beneficial ownership requirements.

Expertise in CDD, EDD, PEP assessment, source of funds and wealth analysis, and customer risk assessment.

Strong understanding of complex legal structures, trusts, nominee arrangements and corporate ownership.

Strong understanding of banking products, customer segments and financial crime typologies.

Ability to provide clear, practical and defensible risk-based advice.

Excellent report writing, Board reporting and executive communication skills.

Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and constructive challenge capability.

Demonstrated leadership, people management and team development skills.

High integrity, independence, sound judgement and decision-making capability.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum 10 years’ experience in AML/CFT/CPF, KYC, Financial Crime Compliance, Risk or Internal Audit within the financial services sector.

At least 5 years’ experience in a management role.

Demonstrated experience advising on complex onboarding, high-risk relationships, PEPs and beneficial ownership.

Experience with customer risk-rating methodologies, KYC remediation and regulatory inspections.

Prior experience in a Tier 1 bank and familiarity with CBK and FRC supervisory expectations will be an added advantage

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Banking, Commerce, Accounting, Economics, Risk Management or a related field.

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline will be an added advantage.

Professional certifications such as CAMS, ICA Diploma in AML, ICA Certificate in KYC and CDD, CFE, CPA(K), ACCA or equivalent.

Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development in AML/CFT/CPF and customer due diligence.

Minimum qualifications

BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate

How to apply

Use the link(s) below to apply on company website.

Senior Compliance Manager – Regulatory Change, Policies & Standards

Manager, Regulatory Change, AML Policies & Standards

Manager – AML & KYC Advisory

Senior Manager – KYC Advisory

https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1385891

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