Job Description

At Masthead, our passion is keeping businesses in business. As a national supplier of risk management services to independent financial advisors and other licensed financial service providers (FSPs), we know this can only be achieved through the calibre of people we employ people who are client focused, set themselves high standards of delivery and have a willingness to go the extra mile.
Position summary:
Masthead is seeking a FICA/AML Compliance Specialist with a minimum of 5 years experience to support a diverse portfolio of accountable institutions. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering expert compliance guidance, developing and reviewing RMCPs, and ensuring that clients meet their obligations under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FIC Act), including the latest amendments, directives, and FATF recommendations. This role requires a deep understanding of AML/CFT frameworks and the ability to apply them across a wide range of accountable institution types, including financial services providers, legal practitioners, estate agents, credit providers, crypto asset service providers, and high-value goods dealers. This role will independently design and execute compliance monitoring frameworks and advisory functions.
Duties and responsibilities:
Compliance Frameworks & Programmes

• Develop, implement, and regularly review Compliance Monitoring Frameworks tailored to the unique risks associated with different accountable institution types.
• Draft, implement, and maintain Risk Management and Compliance Programmes (RMCPs) in line with the FIC Act and sector-specific risks.
• Ensure all frameworks and RMCPs align with FATF Recommendations, FIC guidance, and international AML/CFT best practices.

Advisory & Monitoring Services

• Provide specialist compliance advisory and monitoring services to a broad client base, including: Financial Services Providers (FSPs), Legal Practitioners, Estate Agents and Property Practitioners, Trust and Company Service Providers, Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs), High-Value Goods Dealers, Credit Providers, Accountants and Auditors
• Conduct compliance inspections, identify non-compliance, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support clients during regulatory inspections and enforcement processes, including developing and guiding remediation plans.

Training & Stakeholder Engagement

• Design and deliver training plans, workshops, and awareness sessions to Compliance Officers and client teams on AML/CFT compliance and regulatory updates.
• Provide training and coach compliance staff and officers on regulatory expectations and best practices.
• Represent the organisation at industry events, conferences, and public forums.
• Co-ordinate internal/external audits and regulatory engagements

Regulatory Liaison & Industry Representation

• Liaise directly with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), and other supervisory/regulatory bodies.
• Offer regulatory input and guidance on new legislative developments and sector-specific compliance requirements.
• Assist clients (including insurers) with due diligence evaluations, including binder applications.
• Client Relationship Management & Business Development
• Build and manage strong client relationships, positioning Masthead as a trusted advisor.
• Identify commercial opportunities and contribute to business development by expanding compliance offerings.

Research & Policy Development

• Research, draft, and issue compliance guidance materials and technical opinions.
• Monitor, interpret, and provide insight on regulatory changes affecting accountable institutions.
• Develop, maintain policies, SOPs and guide materials.

Reports

• Prepare detailed compliance reports for management and regulatory forums.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Qualification:

• Bachelors degree in Law, Risk Management, Finance, Compliance, Commerce, or a related field or Postgraduate diploma or honors degree in Anti-Money Laundering, Compliance Management, Risk Management, Financial Crime, or related fields.
• Professional Certification: Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) or Equivalent AML/CFT certification (e.g. CISA, AML Compliance Practitioner).

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in FICA/AML compliance, preferably across multiple types of accountable institutions.
• Experience in drafting RMCPs (Risk Management and Compliance Programmes) and conducting compliance monitoring.
• Experience in developing and delivering AML/FICA training to internal teams or external clients.
• Strong working knowledge of: Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA), FATF Recommendations and other regulatory frameworks
• Sector-Specific Exposure: Experience working with or advising various accountable institutions, such as:
• Crypto asset service providers, Legal practitioners, Estate agent is advantageous.
• Regulatory Insight: Demonstrated understanding of South Africas risk-based approach to AML/CFT.
• Familiarity with FIC Directives and Public Compliance Communications (PCCs).

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Exceptional attention to detail, analytical thinking and quality control mindset.
• Ability to independently conduct research and draft informed legal/compliance opinions.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Time management and ability to manage deadlines efficiently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and advanced data literacy.
• Ability to engage in constructive feedback and professional dialogue.
• Leadership and mentoring skills; ability to coach junior staff.
• Technical proficiency: Familiarity with AML compliance systems and screening tools
• Advanced analytical, investigative and risk-assessment skills
• Fluent in training, policy drafting and report writing
• Excellent stakeholder management including regulatory engagement
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and within teams

Preferred Attributes

• Tech-savvy or exposure to AML/KYC systems (e.g. World-check, DocFox)
• Strong presentation abilities

Masthead is running an internal and external recruitment process simultaneously for this role. Masthead is committed to transformation. Meeting our employment equity goals will be taken into account in our recruitment decisions.
Should you receive no correspondence within two weeks of the closing date of this job advert, please consider your application unsuccessful.