Virtual Assets Compliance Lead

About the role

The Virtual Assets Compliance Lead will drive Safaricom’s financial crime compliance strategy for virtual assets. Reporting to the Head of Financial Crime Compliance, the role embeds AML/CFT controls at product design and ensures regulatory credibility while supporting innovation.

Key responsibilities

• Engage with regulators (CBK, CMA, FRC) and support reporting obligations for virtual assets.
• Monitor evolving virtual‑assets regulations and translate them into actionable compliance programmes.
• Ensure timely submission of SARs and STRs related to virtual‑asset activity.
• Embed AML/CFT controls at the design and build stage of all virtual‑asset products and third‑party integrations.
• Act as trusted compliance advisor to product, technology and business teams throughout the Agile delivery lifecycle.
• Own and continuously enhance the due‑diligence framework for virtual‑asset partnerships, service providers and customers.
• Conduct periodic financial‑crime risk assessments for the virtual‑assets portfolio.
• Represent Safaricom in regulatory forums, industry working groups and policy consultations.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Law, Risk Management, IT or a related discipline.
• Minimum 6 years experience in financial‑crime compliance with exposure to virtual‑assets/VASP regulatory frameworks.
• Professional AML/CFT certification (e.g., CAMS, CAMS Crypto, ICA).
• Strong knowledge of FATF guidance, CBK and CMA regulations and global best practice.

Required skills

• Chainalysis Reactor certification.
• CAMS certification (including CAMS Crypto).
• ICA certification.
• Experience with AML/CFT compliance tools and frameworks.