Compliance Officer

About Chapa Financial Technologies

Chapa Financial Technologies S.C. is a digital payment gateway empowering small and large merchants to securely accept local and international payments via APIs and the Chapa platform. Our mission is to streamline digital payments, helping businesses expand their customer base, enhance payment experiences, and foster growth through reliable, compliant, and innovative financial technology.

Role Overview

The Compliance Officer will play a critical role in fortifying Chapa's compliance mechanisms within its payment operations. This role demands overseeing adherence to financial, regulatory, AML/CFT, KYC, and data privacy standards. Collaboration with Legal, Finance, Operations, Product, Risk, and related teams is essential to ensure that our products, processes, partnerships, and customer workflows meet regulatory obligations effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, update, and review AML/CFT and KYC policies, procedures, controls, and frameworks aligned with local laws and global standards.
• Supervise Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) processes, including maintaining customer risk-rating systems and periodic reviews.
• Manage sanctions and Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) screening processes, including alert handling, investigation, documentation, and escalation.
• Guide teams on KYC standards and onboarding controls.
• Administer transaction monitoring tools and processes; evaluate alerts and spearhead investigations into suspicious activities.
• Ensure suspicious activity documentation and escalate reports as per internal and regulatory protocols; assist in preparing Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) for authorities.
• Act as the primary liaison with regulators on AML/CFT, KYC, and compliance subjects.
• Respond to regulatory inquiries promptly and support examinations, inspections, and reviews.
• Prepare and submit all necessary regulatory filings accurately and on schedule; keep abreast of regulatory updates and apprise internal stakeholders.
• Participate in compliance risk assessments, identify risks across services and partnerships, propose control measures, and maintain governance documentation.
• Design and conduct AML/CFT and KYC training programs for employees; offer ongoing guidance on compliance procedures and promote a compliance-oriented culture.
• Monitor the effectiveness of internal control systems related to financial crime and compliance; identify gaps and recommend improvements.
• Help facilitate and respond to internal and external audit activities and track the implementation of corrective actions.
• Review new business processes, products, and features with an eye toward compliance risk before launch.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, or related disciplines.
• At least 2 years of proven experience in compliance management or regulatory compliance roles.
• Demonstrated skills in creating, executing, and enhancing compliance frameworks and control systems.
• Preferably experienced in financial services, fintech, banking, payments, auditing, risk management, or other regulated environments.
• Working knowledge of AML/CFT, KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions and PEP screening, and transaction monitoring methodologies.
• Familiarity with managing financial crime risks and preparing regulatory reports.
• Strong analytical capabilities, investigative mindset, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication, capable of demystifying complex regulatory standards for diverse audiences.
• Excellent report writing and document management skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally with diverse teams including legal, finance, operations, and senior executives.
• High ethical standards, sound judgment, confidentiality, and professional conduct.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-paced fintech setting.

Core Competencies

• Deep knowledge of regulatory and compliance frameworks
• Proficiency in AML/CFT and financial crime risk management
• Risk assessment expertise and internal control evaluation
• Analytical thinking and investigative problem-solving
• Regulatory reporting acumen
• Stakeholder communication and management skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Decision-making and issue resolution ability
• Professional ethics and discretion

What We Offer

• Engagement within Ethiopia’s expanding digital payments and fintech ecosystem.
• A workplace culture that encourages teamwork, creativity, and innovation.
• Hands-on exposure to payment technologies, regulatory environments, and cutting-edge digital financial services.
• The chance to directly impact the creation of compliant and secure payment infrastructure.

Location and Work Details

This full-time position is based on-site in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, within Chapa’s Compliance department, specialized in fintech and digital payment services.