Director of Compliance at Absa Bank Tanzania

With over 100 years of rich history, Absa is strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise.

A career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

My Career Development Portal

Wherever you are in your career, we are here for you. Design your future. Discover leading-edge guidance, tools, and support to unlock your potential. You are Absa. You are possibility.

Job Summary

• The scope of the role covers Compliance and AML/KYC.
• Lead the Country Compliance function, providing strategic direction and focus.
• Implement and maintain a fit-for-purpose operational framework to address all elements under Compliance.
• Support business units in managing Compliance and AML risks effectively.
• Ensure adequate Compliance Control resources are always available and capable.
• Manage key Country Regulatory relationships.
• Ensure policies and procedures meet both Group and local regulatory requirements.
• Support due diligence for potential acquisitions.
• Maintain an effective awareness program for Anti-Money Laundering (AML), sanctions, and related training.
• Obtain, review, analyze, and report information related to Anti-Bribery and Corruption (AB&C).

Main Accountabilities and Time Allocation

Team Leadership (25%)

• Establish a highly motivated Compliance Team.
• Set challenging objectives and ensure performance management, development, and succession planning.
• Inspire and drive high performance across individuals and the team.
• Act as a role model, promoting Absa Values and Behaviors.
• Ensure that at least 75% of the leadership team are high-performing (“A”) players.
• Equip team leaders to deliver a high-performance culture.

Compliance & Financial Crime Operating Framework (40%)

• Establish and implement a consistent operating framework for the identification, management, monitoring, and reporting of country Compliance risks and issues.
• Ensure the operating framework is embedded consistently to meet internal and statutory requirements.
• Build close working relationships with business heads to ensure support for the Compliance framework.

Policies and Procedures (10%)

• Develop and roll out Compliance policies and standards.

Advice, Guidance & Reporting (25%)

• Deliver valued advice and guidance to management on all Compliance issues.
• Provide a review mechanism to assess reputational risk before it is assumed.
• Keep the local Management Team, ARO Head Compliance, and other Executives informed on Compliance matters that may pose financial or reputational risks.

Risk and Controls Objectives

• Manage risk and control effectively by applying applicable risk frameworks and embedding a positive risk culture.
• Understand your role in end-to-end processes, including applicable risks and controls.
• Adhere to Absa’s policies and procedures, demonstrating sound judgment and responsible risk management.
• Report all risk events, incidents, or issues through defined processes and help prevent future occurrences.
• Proactively improve the control environment by identifying potential process weaknesses.
• Engage continuously and proactively with regulatory bodies and unions, where applicable.
• Complete all mandatory training by the required deadlines.

Technical Skills / Competencies

• Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of leading a high-performance team.
• High-level intellectual and analytical skills; graduate or professional qualification preferred.
• Regulatory experience in retail financial or commercial banking, law enforcement, or prosecution.
• Strong understanding of Tanzanian regulatory requirements and supervisory expectations.
• Knowledge of global standards for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and financial crime.
• Credibility, confidence, and communication skills to engage senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to balance commercial objectives with independent and ethical judgment.
• Initiative and self-management while keeping supervisors fully informed.
• Ability to propose creative, compliant solutions to complex issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong influencing skills with senior management.
• Ability to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

Knowledge, Expertise & Experience

• Good knowledge of regulatory requirements and international agendas.
• Strong operational risk management experience.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in Compliance or Operational Risk (banking, regulatory, consultancy, or professional sectors).
• Graduate with a professional qualification in Accountancy and/or Legal.

Skills Required

• Excellent relationship and interpersonal skills.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong credit risk, leadership, and team management skills.

Training That Supports Role Effectiveness

• Senior risk assessment and management (internal/external).
• Influencing and negotiating.
• People management and coaching.
• Performance management.

Absa Values
Absa’s Values and Behaviours represent the set of standards that guide all who work for the bank and determine how performance is assessed and rewarded:

• Trust
• Resourceful
• Stewardship
• Inclusive
• Courage

Education
Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma in Business, Commerce, or Management Studies (Required)