Virtual Assets Compliance Lead

About the role

Safaricom is hiring a Virtual Assets Compliance Lead based in Westlands, Nairobi. The role covers virtual assets regulatory compliance, AML/CFT reporting and product advisory, acting as the reporting lead for virtual assets and embedding compliance into product design.

Key responsibilities

• Engage with CBK, CMA mandated bodies and the Financial Reporting Centre on virtual assets compliance, reporting obligations and emerging policy developments.
• Monitor and interpret evolving virtual assets regulations and turn them into actionable compliance programmes.
• Support risk assessments and due diligence for onboarding virtual assets partnerships.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of SARs and STRs, and serve as the reporting lead for virtual assets under AML/CFT/CPF frameworks.
• Embed AML/CFT controls at the design and build stage of virtual assets products, features and third-party integrations, and advise product, technology and business teams throughout the Agile delivery lifecycle.
• Review and approve new virtual assets product propositions, partnerships and integrations against regulatory standards before launch.
• Own and improve the due diligence framework for virtual asset partnerships, service providers and customers, with clear escalation for high-risk relationships.
• Conduct periodic financial crime risk assessments for the virtual assets portfolio and keep abreast of emerging threats and typologies.
• Represent Safaricom in regulatory forums, industry working groups and policy consultations, and report regularly to senior leadership on the regulatory environment and compliance performance.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Risk Management, Law, Business, Statistics, IT or a related discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in financial crime compliance, with exposure to virtual assets/VASP frameworks, fintech product compliance or digital payments.
• Professional certification in AML/CFT/CPF compliance (e.g. CAMS, CAMS Crypto, ICA or equivalent).
• Proven track record advising product and technology teams in a compliance-by-design capacity.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of virtual assets regulatory frameworks, including FATF guidance, CBK and CMA regulations.
• Chainalysis certifications such as Chainalysis Reactor or Crypto Investigator are an added advantage.