Head of Compliance & MLRO - Nigeria

Who we are:

About the opportunity:

Key Responsibilities:

Regulatory Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact with relevant regulatory bodies.
• Ensure the organisation meets all applicable governance requirements, including fit and proper obligations for Approved and Designated Persons.
• Monitor and interpret regulatory developments relevant to virtual assets, and advise senior management and the Board accordingly.

Compliance Programme Development & Management

• Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive compliance framework aligned with local requirements, FATF recommendations, and international best practice for virtual asset service providers (VASPs).
• Develop, review, and update all internal policies and procedures covering AML/CFT, KYC, customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, data protection, cybersecurity compliance, and safeguarding of client assets.
• Establish and oversee the compliance monitoring programme, including periodic testing, gap analysis, and reporting to senior management and the Board.
• Prepare and present regular compliance reports to the Board and relevant committees, including on regulatory changes, compliance breaches, and remediation progress.
• Ensure compliance considerations are integrated into new product design and operations from the inception phase by driving solutions that balance commercial outcomes and innovation, while maintaining a robust compliance posture using a clear risk-based approach.
• Review technical documentation, user journeys, and product flows to ensure compliance risks are addressed; provide clear, actionable and solution-focused advice during the product lifecycle.
• Build and scale compliance policies governing advertising, social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, and product launches.
• Partner with Legal, Product, and Marketing teams to operationalize a timely review process for client-facing assets and go-to-market materials.

AML/CFT & MLRO Duties

• Act as the designated MLRO, with full statutory responsibility for overseeing the organisation's AML/CFT framework.
• Receive, review, and assess all internal Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) from staff, and make informed decisions on whether to file external disclosures with competent local authorities.
• Oversee and continuously improve the transaction monitoring programme, with support from global compliance and product functions.
• Ensure robust sanctions screening against all applicable lists, including OFAC, UK OFSI, UN, EU, and applicable local sanctions designations.
• Oversee customer risk scoring, risk-based KYC/CDD processes, and enhanced due diligence for high-risk customers, politically exposed persons (PEPs), and customers from high-risk jurisdictions.

Governance & Culture

• Act as a key member of the senior leadership team, providing compliance input on new products, services, partnerships, and business initiatives.
• Champion a strong compliance culture across the organisation through training, communications, and leadership by example.
• Design and deliver AML/CFT and compliance training programmes for all staff, ensuring completion records are maintained.
• Ensure that the organisation's compliance obligations are adequately resourced, and advise the Board on staffing, systems, and budget requirements.
• Establish and maintain a compliance manual, risk register and oversee the escalation and resolution of compliance incidents and breaches.

Reporting & Recordkeeping

• Prepare and submit all required regulatory reports and notifications to relevant authorities within stipulated deadlines.
• Ensure that all compliance records, SAR documentation, KYC files, and transaction monitoring records are maintained in accordance with applicable retention requirements.
• Support and facilitate any inspections, supervisory visits, or regulatory examinations.

What We Look For in You

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Finance, Business, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
• Professional certification in compliance or AML is strongly preferred (e.g. CAMS, ICA Certificate/Diploma in AML or Compliance, CFE, or equivalent).

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in compliance, AML, or financial crime prevention, with at least 3 years in a senior or leadership compliance role.
• Demonstrated in-house experience working within virtual asset service providers (VASPs), cryptocurrency exchanges, fintech firms, or regulated financial institutions.
• Prior experience as an MLRO or Deputy MLRO is highly desirable.
• Experience engaging directly with financial regulators and the financial intelligence unit
• Hands-on experience building compliance programmes from the ground up in a start-up or scaling environment is a significant advantage.
• Familiarity with the regional regulatory framework and requirements is strongly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Deep understanding of FATF Recommendations and their application to virtual asset service providers, including the Travel Rule (FATF Recommendation 16)
• Strong knowledge of crypto-specific AML typologies.
• Proficiency with blockchain analytics and transaction monitoring tools (e.g. Chainalysis, Elliptic, TRM Labs, or equivalent).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills, with the ability to identify and articulate complex risk scenarios clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to engage constructively with regulators, external auditors, and law enforcement.
• High degree of personal integrity and sound professional judgment.

Nice to Have

• Experience in cryptocurrency or blockchain compliance programs.
• Experience working in a multi-national financial institution setting.
• Familiarity with compliance technology and analytics tools.
• Prior exposure to multi-jurisdictional compliance oversight.
• In-depth knowledge of crypto products, including spot trading, derivatives, staking, lending/borrowing, DeFi, and stablecoins.