JOB PURPOSE
The Local Compliance Officer (LCO) reports directly to the Regional Compliance Officer with a dotted line to the General Manager of the local operation. The LCO is a senior business
partner and advisor to the General Manager and the Regional Compliance Officer on all matters of compliance and sits on the executive committee or equivalent of the local operation. The LCO is responsible for aligning the Global compliance strategy with the local operation and the geographic region and is responsible for the operational management of the compliance framework in the local operation. The LCO contributes to the continued enhancement of the compliance function through on-going monitoring. The LCO is responsible for anti-money laundering (AML) in the local context and works closely with the Regional and Global subject matter experts. The LCO leads on key operational business initiatives from a compliance perspective and is accountable for deployment of an effective compliance program in the local operation.
THEWAY WE WORK
The role holder is open-minded, passionate and the way he/she works energizes others. He/she is committed to the timely delivery of a job well done and behaves with a high level of integrity and a clear sense of confidentiality versus transparency at all times.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Report to the Regional Compliance Officer with a local span of control and accountability for day to day operation of the Corporate Compliance Program.
- Operational responsibility for planning and execution of local activities in the AML and compliance areas.
- Lead operational business initiatives/projects from a compliance perspective at the direction of the Global Director of Compliance or Regional Compliance Officer
- Provide advice and guidance to local management on how to avoid or manage situations of risk, especially for third party interactions (suppliers, agents, government officials).
- Coordinate and monitor, as necessary, compliance activities of other departments through the Local Compliance Committee and oversee the same for other local Governance, Risk and/or Compliance Committees.
- Responsible for effective monitoring of the performance of the Compliance Program in the local operations, taking appropriate steps to recommend improvements to its effectiveness.
- Report results of the compliance/ethics efforts of the company to the GM, the Local and Regional Compliance Committees and the Regional Compliance Officer.
- Review the local operations’ planned activities and transactions to ensure that business is being conducted in an ethical and legal manner and that policies and procedures are followed to reduce the risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations.
- Responsible for the effective implementation and execution of the Compliance Due Diligence Process for screening of suppliers, M&A partners, agents and other third party representatives as per global guidelines
- At the direction of Regional Compliance Officer maintain an effective compliance communication program for the local organization including planning for company-wide compliance training and communication
- Develop a specific compliance risk register for the local operation in coordination with the Regional Compliance Officer and the GM. Identify potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk across all company activities and develop/implement corrective action plans for resolution of problematic issues.
- Track compliance KPIs on local efficiency and effectiveness of the Corporate Compliance Program. Report on performance to the Regional Compliance Officer for publication in the Company Annual Report.
- Work in a collaborative manner to ensure alignment between the Compliance Function and the business units in the local operation, and internalization of compliance objectives throughout the organization.
QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Demonstrated success and on-the-ground experience as a senior Compliance professional with close working experience with Senior Management teams
- Proven experience of reviewing and assessing an international compliance framework
- Experience of leading teams of external and internal experts and specialists, managers and others either as a line manager or project manager
- Ability to articulate and implement understandable, layperson-friendly recommendations for the development and enhancement of the compliance function and framework.
- A demonstrable knowledge of operational, financial, quality assurance, human resources, legal and statutory procedures and regulations.
- Ability to develop relationships at all levels to provide confidence in the quality and effectiveness of services provided by the compliance team and to ensure that relevant advice is sought proactively at all appropriate stages.
- Aproven and strong ability to manage, collaborate and interact with external advisers cost-effectively and of working with external regulatory organization and trade associations.
- A trusted, commercially astute business partner of unquestionable integrity and who is immediately credible and accepted at all levels of the organisation.
- Aproactive, natural and concise communicator who is able to present ideas articulately and openly and who can effectively influence and marshal buy-in from people at all levels (i.e. peers, juniors, seniors, clients, externalcounsel and customers).
- An individual with a solutions-oriented, can-do attitude who challenges status quo and takes on responsibility for simplifying existing methodologies or defining new ones.
- An individual with the strength of character to ‘push back’ effectively when appropriate and diplomatically resolve issues with senior members of staff. Able to convince them to seek his/her input in achieving the best commercial solutions within the agreed risk parameters.
- A team player who possesses the cultural awareness and sensitivity to work effectively across multiple geographies.
- A robust, tenacious, hands-on advisor who leads by example and will make things happen and has the ability to drive through solutions to problems quickly and effectively.
- An analytical and agile individual with the ability to focus on key issues. Able to work with ambiguity in a commercial and fast paced international environment.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 3 years of proven experience of compliance in an international company with local presence in emerging markets
- A substantial experience gained in a corporate and professional environment with a demonstrable track record of leading local and regional Compliance projects and successfully advising on anti-bribery and corruption issues and related matters at the senior levels. AML knowledge is considered a plus.
- Direct experience of working in lesser developed regions and first-hand experience and awareness of the cultural and geopolitical nuances in Emerging Markets.
- Demonstrable track record of implementing a global compliance framework in local operations and maintaining a pragmatic and commercially minded compliance program in emerging
markets. - Up-to-date knowledge of current and emerging legislation, standards and regulations as well as compliance monitoring techniques, including UK Bribery Act, US Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act, AML regulations and other international and local laws. - Demonstrated leadership capabilities – thinking strategically, influencing skills, functional and business management
- Fluent in English and proficiency in French (French-Speaking Africa) or Spanish (Latin America) is required
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Written and verbal Communication Skills
- Relevant Business Process Knowledge
- Project Management
- Risk Management methodology
- Designing and delivering training
- Compliance investigations
