Compliance & Risk Officer

Compliance & Risk Officer

Location: Lagos

Job Summary

• The Compliance and Risk Officer is responsible for ensuring that Ellington Microfinance Bank operates in full compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulatory framework, NDIC requirements, and all other applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies governing microfinance banking operations.
• The role also supports the identification, assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of operational, credit, and reputational risks across the Bank, safeguarding the institution against regulatory sanctions, financial loss, and reputational damage.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and ensure the Bank's compliance with CBN guidelines, NDIC regulations, and other statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to microfinance banks in Nigeria.
• Develop, implement, and periodically review the Bank's compliance policies, procedures, and controls in line with regulatory changes and industry best practice.
• Conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) reviews to ensure adherence to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) requirements.
• Identify, assess, and monitor operational, credit, liquidity, and reputational risks across the Bank's business units, and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Prepare and render timely regulatory returns and reports to the CBN, NDIC, NFIU, and other relevant regulatory bodies.
• Conduct periodic compliance and risk-based audits/reviews of branch and Head Office operations, and follow up on the closure of identified gaps.
• Investigate suspicious transactions and file Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) / Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as required.
• Develop and deliver staff training on compliance, AML/CFT, and risk management policies and procedures.
• Liaise with external regulators and examiners during routine and special examinations, and coordinate the Bank's response to regulatory findings.
• Maintain the Bank's compliance and risk registers, and provide regular reports to Management and the Board Risk/Audit Committee on the Bank's risk profile and compliance status.
• Support the development and periodic testing of the Bank's Business Continuity and Fraud Risk Management frameworks.
• Perform other compliance and risk-related duties as may be assigned by Management from time to time.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law, Banking, or a related field.
• A relevant Master's Degree is an advantage.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of post-qualification experience in compliance, risk management, internal audit, or a related function within a microfinance bank, commercial bank, or other financial institution.
• Professional certification such as ACAMS, Certified Risk Manager (CRM), ICAN, ACIB, or an equivalent compliance/risk qualification is an advantage.
• Sound working knowledge of the CBN Regulatory and Supervisory Guidelines for Microfinance Banks, NDIC regulations, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of AML / CFT regulations and KYC/CDD procedures.
• Excellent analytical and risk-assessment skills, with attention to detail.
• Sound understanding of microfinance banking operations and the Nigerian regulatory environment.
• Strong report writing and regulatory communication skills.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professional ethics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and core banking / compliance monitoring applications.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with regulators, Management, and staff at all levels.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Managing Director, Heads of Departments, Internal Audit, Branch Operations, Human Resources.
• External: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), external auditors and examiners.

Application Closing Date

14th August, 2026.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send their Application and CV to: careers@sewaassetsmanagement.com using the Job Title as the subject of the email.