Sanctions and Trade Finance Advisory, Regional Financial Crime Unit, APAC

Environment

The Vice President will be the Team manager of the Sanctions and Trade Finance Advisory Unit, APAC and has responsibility in the region for assisting the Regional Head of Financial Crime Unit (FCU) in maintaining the SG Group FCU Policy standards regarding Sanctions and AML/KYC; ensuring SG Group remains regulatory compliant in all FCU related matters.

The post holder will manage a team of subject matter experts in FCU's Sanctions and Trade Finance Advisory team, providing expert advice to the business lines and support functions on a day-to-day basis.

The post holder is also expected to proactively implement policies and procedures; keep senior management informed of sanctions and financial crime related matters and risks in a timely manner; organize the sanctions training and awareness program; conduct on-going review of the adequacy and effectiveness of the sanctions compliance and trade-based money laundering prevention framework; and undertake ad hoc projects to enhance on an ongoing basis the Compliance program.

Mission




Main Responsibilities:

• Manage, guide and train the APAC Sanctions Team, which currently numbers four in total.

• Liaise closely with the Group sanctions team to ensure that regional policies, procedures and practices are in line with the Group.

• Liaison with Business Lines, KYC Team and other relevant departments to provide in a timely manner Compliance opinions in relation to (i) proposed transactions (including trade finance transactions, syndicated loans, debt issuances, advisory mandates etc.) and (ii) onboarding and regular reviews of customers with higher sanctions/AML risks

• Provide advice in relation to the inclusion of compliance clauses in legal documentation

• Timely clearance of AML/KYC/Sanctions related alerts, including but not limited to second level sanctions screening alerts

• Work with Business Lines, KYC Team and support functions to implement the relevant policies and procedures related to Sanctions and Trade Finance Compliance, including designing, organising and presenting training when required.

• Maintain an excellent knowledge of EU/US/HK sanctions and AML regulations; ensure up-to-date knowledge on regulatory trends, trade-based money laundering typologies, market practices and standards.
• Undertake ad hoc projects
• Three associates/analysts
• The post holder has a high degree of day-to-day autonomy to determine how best to deliver the responsibilities set out above, within a global compliance advisory framework determined by the Global Head of FCU and applied consistently around the world and across all areas of FCU Compliance.
• By taking into consideration the risk appetite of SG, the post holder is accountable for the quality, appropriateness and timeliness of compliance advice given to the business line, KYC team and other internal teams, and the outcome that arise as a result
• Internally, business line, KYC team, other control and support functions, and Compliance management at Global GBIS and Group levels
• Externally, regulatory, exchange and law enforcement authorities as required, relevant external advisors (audit, consulting and legal firms), and trade associations and industry bodies
• Frequency of contact: as necessary
• The post holder must actively encourage a strong compliance with sanctions issues and a consistent team approach, with frequent interaction and communication across all areas of the Compliance department

Profile

Candidate Profile:



• Graduate level with legal / finance or other professional qualification is required
• Exposure to Sanctions/AML Compliance and Trade Finance with at least 5 years industry experience
• Managerial experience essential
• Fluent in English. Fluency in Putonghua is an advantage, but not prerequisite
• Solid knowledge of EU, OFAC and HK sanctions regimes
• Good understanding of trade finance products and the business line activities
• Working knowledge of global regulatory and financial services legislation as it pertains to AML, ABC rules relevant to the business line

Competency Description Required:
Management Skills - Y
Operational Skills- Y
Regulatory Skills- Y
Communication Skills- Y
Flexibility - Adaptability -Y
Ability to make Decisions- Y
Ability to Work Under Pressure- Y
Analytical Skills- Y
Initiative- Y
Leadership Qualities- Y
Teamwork- Y

Personal Abilities:

• Proactive and ready to drive change
• Strong team player willing to work together for solutions
• Strong analytical and critical thinker, able to analyse and assess issues quickly
• Open-minded and willing to accept suggestions
• Good communication and influencing skills