Risk and Compliance Officer

At Paymentology were redefining whats possible in the payments space. As the first truly global issuer-processor we give banks and fintechs the technology and talent to launch and manage Mastercard and Visa cards at scale - across more than 60 countries.

Our advanced multi-cloud platform delivers real-time data unmatched scalability and the flexibility of a network of regional hubs. Its this global reach and innovation that sets us apart.

We are seeking a hands-on Risk & Compliance Officer with experience in South African regulatory requirements AML/CFT controls and practical risk management. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working cross-functionally translating complex regulatory and risk requirements into clear actionable processes and strengthening monitoring and control frameworks.

This dual-responsibility role will play a key part in strengthening local compliance execution while helping to build and embed a structured risk management approach across our South Africa business. You will work closely with the Legal & Compliance team and partner with stakeholders across the organisation contributing to the continued growth of our South Africa operations.

South Africa Compliance Officer

• Act as the primary compliance contact for Sponsor banks supporting day-to-day operation of Paymentologys local compliance framework.
• Interpret and implement partner banks Risk Management and Compliance Programme (RMCP) requirements ensuring alignment with applicable legislation and regulatory frameworks.

KYC Screening & Due Diligence Oversight

• Conduct and oversee KYC and KYB processes for cardholders corporate clients and partners including onboarding beneficial ownership verification sanctions PEP and adverse media screening.
• Lead onboarding risk assessments in line with global standards and risk appetite including enhanced due diligence where required.

Compliance Monitoring & Reporting

• Perform periodic reviews (monitoring & testing) to assess compliance and risk programme effectiveness and identify improvements.
• Maintain accurate compliance records and prepare clear structured reports for senior management clients and regulators.
• Support documentation requests to demonstrate the effectiveness of compliance controls.

Risk Identification Assessment & Tracking

• Support the development and embedding of a structured risk management framework for South Africa.
• Identify assess document and monitor key risks across compliance operational third-party resilience and regulatory domains.
• Contribute to the implementation of a proactive Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework.

Risk Register & Action Tracking

• Maintain risk registers issue logs and remediation trackers ensuring clear ownership timelines and status updates.
• Track regulatory findings internal actions and control improvements.

Controls & Risk-Based Process Support

• Map risks to controls and assess control design and effectiveness.
• Partner with business teams to strengthen documentation and close control gaps ensuring solutions are practical and aligned with the business model.

Operational Resilience & Risk Coordination

• Support risk activities related to business continuity disaster recovery incident management and third-party dependencies.
• Coordinate remediation actions evidence gathering and documentation improvements aligned with ERM initiatives.
• Support implementation of agile compliance risk management systems aligned with Paymentology policies.

Training & Guidance

• Provide practical guidance and deliver training on compliance and risk requirements ensuring teams understand and embed controls in daily operations.

Broader Initiatives

• Contribute to wider Legal & Compliance and business initiatives including policy updates framework enhancements and cross-functional projects.
• Prepare and maintain audit-ready documentation across risk and compliance activities.

At Paymentology we value making a difference to the lives of the people who work for us and who live in the communities where we operate. You can look forward to working with a diverse global team where Paymentologists at all levels play an important part in our global mission to advance the world through payments and make a difference on a global scale.

Requirements:

What it takes to succeed:

• 46 years experience in compliance financial crime risk management or related roles within banking payments fintech or another regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of South African regulatory frameworks (e.g. FIC Act NPS Bill) particularly AML CFT KYC/KYB and risk management.
• Practical experience in risk assessments compliance monitoring issue management and remediation.
• Familiarity with international financial crime frameworks (FATF EU AML Directives OFAC) preferred.
• Experience with compliance tools (e.g. sanctions screening AML monitoring GRC systems) preferred.
• Proven experience implementing RMCPs and conducting due diligence and policy rollouts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and PowerPoint) and a willingness to leverage AI tools for efficiency.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to operate effectively in complex ambiguous environments.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical operational controls.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• This is a hybrid role x2 days in the Johannesburg office per week.