Risk & Compliance Officer

Role Overview

This role sits within the bank’s risk and compliance function, ensuring that internal processes, regulatory obligations, and anti-money-laundering / know-your-customer requirements are embedded and followed consistently across the institution. Daily activity combines targeted risk assessments, monitoring and reporting, with practical follow-through on audit findings and staff training. The position matters because it gives the bank both the evidence and the early-warning mechanisms needed to protect its licence, reputation, and business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and assess compliance risk arising from new products, proposed business relationships, and any expansion of operations or international network, so that risk is considered before commitments are made.
• Run risk assessments and maintain meaningful key risk indicators (KRIs) that enable management to monitor emerging compliance concerns in real time.
• Own and update the bank’s risk registers, ensuring every recorded risk has an up-to-date rating, owner, and mitigation action.
• Plan and execute stress tests on the most significant risks facing the bank, then translate the findings into practical recommendations for improvement.
• Deliver internal AML and KYC training sessions that reflect Central Bank of Kenya prudential guidelines and build staff awareness of red flags and reporting expectations.
• Conduct regular compliance reviews and spot checks to confirm adherence to internal policies, procedures, and controls.
• Track and monitor implementation of audit recommendations until issues are fully resolved or formally accepted as mitigated.
• Review high-value transactions to identify any that must be escalated or reported to the regulator, and prepare monthly and quarterly compliance returns for the Central Bank of Kenya.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A university degree in Accounting, Commerce, Economics, Business Management/Administration, or a related business field.
• A Certified Chartered Accountant (CCA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification.
• Current membership with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) accompanied by a valid membership certificate.
• Additional certification in CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) or CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) will be considered an advantage.
• At least three years’ working experience in banking, ideally within a risk, compliance, audit, or internal control role.