Equiti is a pioneering fintech firm and world-class provider of multi-asset fintech products - from liquidity solutions to in-house tech hubs to online trading platforms. With over 400 global specialists in 9 languages, Equiti provides clients with access to individual, professional, and institutional brokerage services in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Think finance is stuffy? Think again.

We see Equiti as a new breed of broker, and we are on the lookout for talented individuals who can perform and excel in a dynamic and innovative working environment. Our Compliance  department would like to welcome a detail-oriented.

Head of Compliance in our office in  Kenya

Responsibilities 

• Lead and oversee the firm’s Compliance Framework in Kenya, ensuring full compliance with local regulatory requirements and global compliance standards.
• Act as the firm’s primary point of contact with regulators including the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) and other relevant authorities.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the Compliance Monitoring Programme (CMP), ensuring timely identification, escalation, and remediation of compliance issues.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including AML/CFT obligations under POCAMLA and international best practices (e.g., FATF).
• Oversee and manage the KYC/Onboarding team, ensuring robust due diligence processes, AML/PEP/sanction screening, and ongoing monitoring in line with both local and group requirements.
• Provide leadership, training, and guidance to the KYC team, ensuring consistent application of processes and a strong compliance culture.
• Lead the drafting, review, and implementation of compliance and AML/CFT policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Keep abreast of regulatory developments in Kenya and internationally, providing timely updates and strategic advice to senior management and the Board.
• Prepare and submit regulatory filings, returns, and reports to the CMA, CBK, FRC, and other authorities, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Represent Compliance at internal governance committees and actively participate in senior management decision-making.
• Oversee compliance registers, training programmes, and records management to ensure proper retention and accessibility.
• Identify, assess, and monitor compliance risks, and ensure corrective actions are implemented where needed.
• Lead and deliver compliance and regulatory training for staff at all levels, including tailored sessions for management and Board members.
• Oversee the firm’s complaint handling process, ensuring regulatory requirements are met.
• Ensure timely review and escalation of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the FRC or other relevant bodies, maintaining oversight of investigations and reporting.
• Provide periodic compliance reports, risk assessments, and management information (MI) to the Board and other senior stakeholders.
• Lead and mentor the compliance and KYC teams, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and regulatory excellence across the organisation.

Experience Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in law, business, accounting, finance, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of compliance experience, with at least 3–5 years in a senior/leadership role within Kenya’s financial services or capital markets industry.
• Proven experience leading AML/CFT and KYC teams, with hands-on knowledge of onboarding, due diligence, and transaction monitoring processes.
• Strong understanding of the CMA regulatory framework, CBK requirements, and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
• Direct experience liaising with regulators (CMA, CBK, FRC) and managing inspections, audits, and reporting obligations.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Strong leadership, people management, and mentoring skills with a track record of building high-performing compliance/KYC teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage regulators, Board members, and senior executives.
• High integrity, professional ethics, and resilience when handling sensitive regulatory matters.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to balance compliance requirements and business objectives effectively.

Perks

Each of our offices has its special perks; be it ‘no ties’, free lunches, charity events, or a hybrid work policy – but whenever you walk into an Equiti office, you’re sure to see a friendly face. We encourage international collaborations and always keep our eyes open to how we can do more.

The benefits you can expect at your Equiti workplace include:

• Competitive salary package
• Performance-based bonus
• Medical insurance coverage for employees and family members
• Smart working options
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Personalized career development
• Company lunch in the office
• Regular company events

With energy, drive, and imagination, there’s no limit to where your career can go at Equiti. With a diverse workforce and geographical spread of offices, we strongly support career development initiatives as well as provide a range of opportunities for professional and life experiences.

Equiti is an equal opportunity employer.

“Equiti” refers to a group of companies consisting of seven regulated financial services companies licensed to operate in the respective jurisdictions of their incorporation, in addition to our tech and marketing hubs. Equiti has presence in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.