Regional Compliance Officer at Waza

Waza operates a B2B payments platform that enables businesses in emerging markets make global payments easily. We are a YCombinator-backed startup with $3m in seed funding and growing at about 30% month-on-month. We are dedicated to solving the inefficient payment systems and Foreign Exchange supply in emerging markets, which can be a significant barrier to business and economic growth. Waza is live in Nigeria and Ghana and are scaling into new markets in the next few months. We are a small team of highly motivated individuals comprising of former founders, 10x engineers, business and legal professionals, building towards making global B2B payments easy and accessible.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Regional Compliance Officer

Location: Lagos
Job Schedule: Full time

The Role

• Waza is seeking an experienced Compliance officer to join our dynamic team. This role is crucial in ensuring that our operations adhere to regulatory standards and compliance requirements across various markets.
• As Compliance Officer  you will be responsible for developing and acquiring new licenses, implementing compliance policies, strategies, and procedures to maintain Waza's commitment to integrity and legal adherence.
• The ideal candidate would have a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape in emerging markets, coupled with a strategic mindset to navigate complexities and facilitate our expansion seamlessly.

Responsibilities
We are excited to know you if you can:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive compliance strategy that aligns with Waza's business objectives and growth trajectory. This will involving building our license infrastructure by acquiring and maintaining requisite licenses across different markets
• Stay updated on evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices in emerging markets, particularly within the realm of financial technology and cross-border payments.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that compliance measures are seamlessly integrated into all aspects of product development, operations, and expansion initiatives.
• Establish and maintain a robust compliance framework, including policies, procedures, and controls, to mitigate risks associated with money laundering, fraud, data privacy, and other relevant areas.
• Conduct regular internal audits and assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of compliance measures and identify areas for improvement.
• Provide guidance and training to internal teams on compliance-related matters, fostering a culture of awareness and vigilance.
• Liaise with external regulatory bodies, legal advisors, and partners to ensure a strong network of compliance support and up-to-date knowledge.
• Lead the resolution of compliance-related issues and incidents, implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Prepare and submit compliance reports to relevant authorities as required by applicable laws and regulations.

Requirements
You might be an excellent fit if you have:

• Bachelor's Degree in Law, Business, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CAMS, CFE) is a plus.
• Proven track record of at least 4 years in a senior compliance role within the financial services or fintech industry, preferably with exposure to emerging markets.
• Extensive knowledge of regional compliance regulations, especially within emerging markets, and the ability to adapt strategies to various jurisdictions.
• Strong analytical skills to assess complex regulatory issues and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with internal teams, external partners, and regulatory bodies.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance compliance requirements with business objectives, driving innovation while maintaining a strong ethical foundation.
• Experience in managing compliance audits and inspections, as well as the ability to lead responses to regulatory inquiries.
• High level of integrity, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Adaptable and proactive approach to navigating a fast-paced startup environment.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.