AML Specialist -ZR_2669_JOB

Red Ember Recruitment is currently recruiting for an experienced AML Specialist to join an established financial services organisation in Johannesburg. The successful candidate will support the AML Officer and Chief Compliance Officer / Money Laundering Control Officer in maintaining and strengthening the organisation’s AML/CFT/CPF control framework. The role will provide practical financial crime compliance guidance across risk assessment, KYC/CDD/EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, FIC reporting and regulatory requirements. This is a senior specialist-level opportunity suited to an AML professional with strong South African regulatory, banking and financial crime compliance experience. Support the maintenance and implementation of the Risk Management and Compliance Programme (RMCP) in line with the FIC Act. Develop and maintain practical AML/CFT/CPF procedures and controls. Support customer and institutional ML/TF/PF risk assessments and risk-rating methodologies. Provide guidance on KYC, CDD, EDD, beneficial ownership, PEPs and adverse media. Conduct and review sanctions, name, payment and vessel screening. Perform Level 2 reviews and sign-off of screening alerts and hits. Conduct and oversee transaction monitoring investigations and assess potential reporting requirements. Support the identification and reporting of STRs, CTRs and IFTRs to the FIC. Manage and respond to goAML/FIC requests, including regulatory information requests and freeze orders. Conduct enhanced due diligence on medium-high and high-risk clients. Perform prospective client, vendor and employee screening where required. Support AML Forums, governance processes, action logs and regulatory evidence. Conduct AML quality assurance and identify control, process and training gaps. Assess regulatory changes and translate requirements into practical procedures and control enhancements. Provide AML advisory support to frontline and business teams. Participate in AML-related projects, system implementations and process improvements. Requirements Qualifications Matric – Essential. Relevant Money Laundering / Financial Crime Compliance certificate – Essential. Relevant tertiary qualification in Law, Commerce, Risk, Compliance, Accounting, Finance or a related field – advantageous. ACAMS, ICA or equivalent AML/CFT/CPF certification – advantageous. Experience Minimum 3 years' banking experience. Minimum 4 years' AML/CFT/CPF compliance or financial crime operations experience. At least 2 years' experience in sanctions/name/payment screening, transaction monitoring and EDD. At least 2 years' experience with FIC reporting/goAML, including STR, CTR, IFTR and regulatory requests. Exposure to corporate/institutional banking, trade finance or cross-border payments will be advantageous. Technical Knowledge The successful candidate should have strong knowledge of: South African AML/CFT/CPF regulatory requirements and the FIC Act. RMCP requirements and risk-based AML frameworks. ML/TF/PF risk assessment and customer risk-rating methodologies. KYC/CDD/EDD and beneficial ownership. PEP and adverse media screening. Sanctions and targeted financial sanctions. Transaction monitoring and financial crime typologies. STR, CTR and IFTR reporting. Regulatory requests and FIC requirements. AML systems such as NGS, SironAML, goAML, World-Check and PA Umoja, or equivalent platforms. Key Skills Strong analytical and investigative ability. Excellent attention to detail. Sound judgement and professional scepticism. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to interpret legislation and translate regulatory requirements into practical controls. Strong stakeholder management and advisory skills. Ability to work with confidential and sensitive information. Strong organisational and documentation skills. Ability to work effectively under strict regulatory and internal deadlines. A proactive approach to quality assurance, training and continuous improvement.