Merchant Onboarding Officer at Unified Payments Service Limited

Unified Payments Service Limited is a company set up by a consortium of banks to provide and manage a credible and cost-effective smartcard operation through introducing an alternative method of payment in Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Merchant Onboarding Officer

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Contract

Job Objectives

• To oversee and manage the merchant onboarding process, ensuring all merchants meet Unified Payments’ risk management standards and regulatory requirements.
• This includes identifying potential risks, conducting due diligence, and ensuring merchants align with compliance, antimoney laundering (AML), and fraud prevention standards.

Duities and Responsibilities
Merchant Risk Assessment & Due Diligence:

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments for new merchants to evaluate financial stability, operational risks, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that the merchant onboarding process is in line with AML and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.
• Perform background checks and due diligence investigations to assess potential merchant risks.
• Review merchant documentation and contracts to ensure they meet regulatory, legal, and company standards.

Compliance and Regulatory Management:

• Ensure that all merchants comply with internal policies, local regulations, and relevant industry standards.
• Work with regulatory authorities and internal stakeholders to ensure the merchant onboarding process adheres to compliance guidelines.
• Identify and escalate any compliance risks that may arise during the onboarding process, ensuring prompt resolution.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes, AML laws, and other compliance requirements affecting merchant onboarding.

Risk Management & Mitigation:

• Develop and implement risk management protocols specific to merchant onboarding.
• Monitor merchant risk profiles throughout the onboarding process, ensuring appropriate mitigation strategies are implemented.
• Collaborate with the Enterprise Risk Management team to address any risks identified during merchant onboarding.
• Work closely with internal departments (e.g., legal, compliance, IT) to ensure a seamless onboarding process with adequate risk controls in place.

Ongoing Monitoring & Reporting:

• Conduct regular monitoring of onboarded merchants to ensure continuous adherence to compliance requirements and risk management practices.
• Prepare and present risk reports related to merchant onboarding for senior management and key stakeholders.
• Support the audit process by providing necessary documentation and reports for internal and external audits.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient merchant onboarding processes and risk management.
• Communicate with merchants regarding risk management requirements, ensuring a clear understanding of compliance expectations.
• Serve as a point of contact for merchant inquiries related to the onboarding process and risk management guidelines.

Requirements
Education:

• University degree in finance, risk management, business administration, or a related field.

Professional Memberships (Mandatory):

• Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional (CRCMP) or equivalent is preferred.
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS) or equivalent certification is an added advantage.

General Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in risk management, merchant onboarding, or compliance roles, preferably within financial institutions or the payments industry.
• Strong understanding of AML, KYC regulations, and fraud prevention practices.
• Experience in conducting due diligence and risk assessments during the merchant onboarding process.

Reporting Relationships:

• Functionally reports to: Head, Business Risk Department.

Application Closing Date
30th March, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: recruitment@up-ng.com using the job title as the subject of the mail.