Risk & Compliance Officer at Trans Sahara Global Trading Company Limited

At Trans Sahara Global Trading Company (TSTC), we are proud to be a leading player in the global commodity trading and trade finance industry. With a focus on excellence, innovation, and reliability, we specialize in facilitating seamless trade transactions and providing innovative financial solutions to our esteemed clients worldwide.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Risk & Compliance Officer

Location: Lagos

Roles and Responsibilities
Enterprise Risk Management:

• Design, implement, and maintain an effective Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework covering all business areas; trade finance, capital advisory, treasury, operations, and investments.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize key risks (credit, operational, market, liquidity, legal, reputational, and strategic).
• Develop risk mitigation strategies, risk appetite statements, and tolerance thresholds approved by the Board.
• Lead periodic risk assessments and stress testing to ensure business resilience.
• Provide independent risk opinions on major transactions, counterparties, and investments.

Credit Assessment & Analysis:

• Evaluate the creditworthiness of clients, borrowers, and counterparties by analyzing financial statements, business models, market conditions, and repayment capacity.
• Prepare detailed credit appraisal reports, risk rating assessments, and credit memos for management and credit committee review.
• Perform due diligence and background checks on prospective clients and partners.
• Assess the viability and structure of trade finance transactions, including Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, and Receivable Financing.

Portfolio & Exposure Management:

• Monitor credit exposures, limits, and concentration risks across the company’s trade finance and investment portfolios.
• Track and analyze the performance of existing facilities, identifying early warning signals and potential defaults.
• Support periodic reviews and re-rating of clients based on financial and operational updates.
• Maintain updated credit files and ensure compliance with documentation and internal credit approval processes.

Risk Mitigation & Policy Compliance:

• Recommend appropriate credit terms, collateral structures, and risk mitigation measures (insurance, guarantees, covenants, etc.).
• Ensure all credit decisions adhere to internal credit risk policies, company risk appetite, and regulatory guidelines.
• Contribute to the design and continuous improvement of credit risk policies, frameworks, and models.
• Support stress testing, scenario analysis, and portfolio diversification strategies.
• Identify and assess potential regulatory and compliance risks associated with business operations.
• Collaborate with the Risk, Legal, and Internal Audit teams to strengthen internal controls and ensure adherence to governance standards.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of regulatory interactions and ensure traceability of compliance actions.
• Assist in preparing reports and updates for the Board Risk or Audit Committee on regulatory matters.

Compliance & Regulatory Governance:

• Establish and oversee the company’s compliance program in accordance with applicable laws, financial regulations, and industry standards (e.g., AML/CFT, CBN, SEC, NDIC, or relevant international frameworks).
• Ensure full compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for all clients and transactions.
• Support external audit exercises and coordinate with auditors to ensure smooth reviews.
• Serve as the key liaison between the company and regulatory bodies, auditors, and legal authorities.
• Conduct compliance risk assessments, audits, and internal reviews, and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Monitor, interpret, and implement changes in financial, trade, and corporate regulations applicable to the company’s operations.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive compliance register tracking licensing, filings, renewals, and regulatory obligations.
• Coordinate the submission of statutory returns, periodic reports, and disclosures to regulators.

Policy Development:

• Develop, review, and update company-wide risk and compliance policies, frameworks, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Develop and update internal compliance manuals, policies, and control procedures.
• Strengthen internal control mechanisms to safeguard assets, prevent fraud, and ensure financial and operational integrity.
• Advise management on the impact of new laws and regulations on business operations and recommend compliance strategies.
• Ensure that operational teams are informed and trained on regulatory updates relevant to their functions.

Audit Planning & Execution:

• Develop and implement a risk-based internal audit plan covering all functional areas, including finance, trade operations, compliance, and advisory activities.
• Conduct financial, operational, and compliance audits in line with professional standards (IIA, IFRS, etc.).
• Review and evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, risk management systems, and governance processes.
• Identify control gaps, inefficiencies, or non-compliance with established policies and regulations.
• Recommend practical corrective actions to strengthen internal controls and operational processes.
• Evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of risk mitigation measures.
• Collaborate with the Risk & Compliance Department to ensure alignment between audit findings and enterprise risk priorities.
• Track and monitor implementation of audit recommendations.

Licensing & Approvals:

• Coordinate and manage all corporate and operational licenses, registrations, and certifications required for the company’s activities.
• Ensure timely renewal of all licenses and regulatory approvals.
• Support new business initiatives or market expansions by identifying licensing requirements and managing applications.

Reporting:

• Advise the MD, ED and Board on emerging risks, compliance issues, and the overall risk posture of the company.
• Prepare and present periodic risk and compliance reports to senior management and the Board Risk Committee.
• Work closely with the Trade Finance, Capital Advisory, and Finance teams to structure sound and bankable transactions.
• Prepare detailed audit reports highlighting observations, risks, and recommendations.
• Present findings to management and the Audit Committee, ensuring timely resolution of audit issues.
• Prepare quarterly and annual internal audit summaries for executive and board review.
• Liaise with external partners, including banks, investors, and rating agencies, to support due diligence and transaction execution.

Experience / Skills & Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Law, Economics, or a related discipline.
• A Master’s degree or professional qualification (ACAMS, CRISC, ICAN, ACCA, CFA, CIBN, or similar) is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10–12 years’ relevant experience, with at least 5 years in a senior risk or compliance management position in trade finance, investment banking, or financial services.
• Deep knowledge of enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, trade finance instruments, and capital markets.
• Demonstrated experience dealing with regulatory bodies and leading compliance audits

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: hr@tstc.hk using "Risk & Compliance Officer" as the subject of the mail.