AWA Regional Head, Compliance. Head, Compliance and AMLRO for Ecobank Ghana

• Ensure Compliance risk (current and emerging) with Ecobank Ghana and AWA Region is adequately managed and monitored.
• Ensure the Bank complies with all laws, regulatory, and ethical requirements in Ghana and AWA Region
• Ensure there is framework for effective managing of Compliance risk along Financial Crime, regulatory Compliance and Conduct.
• Provide supervisory support in the Compliance function to the heads of Compliance in Guinea, Liberia, Gambia, Sierra Leone.

• Support the Bank to meet all regulatory obligations across the affiliate to AVOID regulatory fines, sanctions, penalties.  Identify potential compliance / regulatory breaches.
• Develop and implement an effective Financial Crime, Regulatory Compliance and conduct management program within the bank.
• Advisory role, and strategic partnership with business units, providing advice on new products, digital banking other initiatives with the view to prevent regulatory breaches 
• Monitor Regulatory change/evolution and report such developments to EXCOM and the Board of directors.
• Develop and execute the Compliance Monitoring Plan (CMP); ensuring that periodic reviews, thematic testing, and control assessments are done on time.
• Manage Correspondent Banking relations and respond to all enquiries from Correspondent Banks
• Act as primary interface with regulators with the establishment of a regulatory relationship desks with clear Regulatory Engagement Plans; and ensuring prompt response to regulatory queries
• Establish written policies, procedures, guidelines for the Compliance function. 
• Educate staff on compliance with the applicable Rules and act as advisor on compliance queries.
• Maintain primary contact with relevant external bodies and regulators on compliance matters.
• Ensure effective implementation of whistleblowing program.
• Ensure appropriate communication and training to all staff and stakeholders for effective management of financial crime, reputational and regulatory risk.
• Be the driver of compliance culture within the bank.

• Liaise with Internal Control, Internal Audit, Legal, Risk Management and other functions, as appropriate, while fulfilling the above roles 

1. Strategy

• Provide strategic support to the AWA Regional Executive / Managing Director on Regulatory compliance.
• Offer strategic Compliance Consultancy support to the Business.
• Advice business functions on compliance implications as it relates to their business
• Assess the compliance impact of regulatory changes and guide the bank in implementing adjustments

1. Budgeting – 

• Prepare budget for the Compliance Department in line with banks strategic direction and Group guidelines
• Monitor these budgets for Variance analysis 

1. Reporting – 

• Provide regular reports to the Regulator, Board of Directors, the Managing Director, senior management and relevant committees 
• Escalation to Group Compliance is mandatory for significant compliance issues (e.g., regulatory breaches), at least at the same time as being escalated to local Executive Management or Board committees.
• Incident reporting.  To ensure timely escalation and reporting of compliance breaches, risks and suspicious activities

1. Management – 

• Team leadership:   Lead, mentor and to develop the compliance team
• Ensure that the Compliance department is adequately resourced and skilled

• Manage collaboration with Internal Audit and Internal Control departments, to ensure a sound and strong Control environment for the Bank.

  
  

Experience & Qualifications

• At least a degree in a relevant field from a recognized university. Master’s degree will be a plus.
• Call to the Ghana Bar will be an added advantage.
• At least 10 years in a control environment within a financial institution, or similar responsibility.  
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing at all levels and experience of writing Board level reports
• Expert knowledge in strategic and operational/budgeting planning processes
• Proven leadership and strong people management skills
• Strategic planning and management experience
• Experience in change management and has the ability to positively lead change
• Computer skills – MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint
• Good communication and presentation skills at management level
• A person with high integrity 
• Strategic mindset – decision making ability to consider both short term and long-term objectives
• Dynamic, innovative self-starter with a personal ambition to succeed
• Sound knowledge and understanding of all laws and regulations governing the Banking Industry in Ghana. 
• Good planning and organization skills, and strong report writing skills

Skills, Capabilities & Personal attributes

• A person with high integrity 
• Strategic mindset – decision making ability to consider both short term and long-term objectives
• Dynamic, innovative self-starter with a personal ambition to succeed
• Sound knowledge and understanding of all laws and regulations governing the Banking Industry in Ghana. 
•  Good planning and organization skills, and strong report writing skills.