Safaricom PLC, the leading telecommunications provider in East Africa, is inviting applications from qualified, experienced, and passionate professionals to fill the role of Principal Officer, Money Laundering Reporting Office. This is a key position within our Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Compliance Division, based at our headquarters at Safaricom House, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi.
As a company committed to transforming lives through innovation, integrity, and operational excellence, we are looking for an individual who is not only technically competent but also driven by a high sense of ethics and responsibility. If you are passionate about combating financial crime and ensuring compliance in a dynamic digital ecosystem, then this opportunity is for you.
About Safaricom
Safaricom PLC has grown to become the most prominent telecommunications company in East Africa. Founded in 1997 as a subsidiary of Telkom Kenya, it has evolved significantly through strategic partnerships, including Vodafone Group PLC and a successful IPO on the Nairobi Securities Exchange in 2008.
With over 42 million customers, we are a cornerstone of the region’s connectivity and digital finance landscape. Our M-PESA platform has revolutionized mobile payments, enabling millions of Kenyans to access financial services. Through innovation, social responsibility, and sound governance, we have contributed to the creation of over one million jobs and generated a total economic value of KES 362 billion in a single financial year.
We are committed to delivering inclusive financial solutions while ensuring we operate in compliance with both local and global regulations.
Overview of the Role
The Principal Officer, Money Laundering Reporting Office will play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of Safaricom’s financial systems and services. Reporting directly to the Senior Manager, Anti Money Laundering, the role will support the execution of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing strategies within the business, especially focusing on M-PESA and related digital services.
The successful candidate will be responsible for regulatory compliance, risk identification, mitigation strategies, and reporting obligations, particularly to the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) and internal senior management.
Key Responsibilities
- Uphold Company Policies and Code of Conduct
- Maintain the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and professionalism in line with Safaricom’s corporate policies.
- Adhere to health, safety, and wellbeing protocols to ensure a responsible working environment.
- AML/CTF/CPF Compliance
- Lead the implementation and continuous review of AML (Anti-Money Laundering), CTF (Counter-Terrorism Financing), and CPF (Counter Proliferation Financing) controls.
- Ensure M-PESA and other qualifying services comply with all applicable AML laws, regulations, and industry standards.
- Monitoring and Control Implementation
- Ensure the deployment and functionality of robust controls to prevent M-PESA and other platforms from being exploited for illicit activities such as money laundering or terrorism financing.
- Conduct ongoing risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities within current processes and suggest enhancements.
- Incident Investigation and Reporting
- Investigate suspected incidents of money laundering or financial crime promptly and effectively.
- Prepare and submit suspicious transaction reports (STRs) and other mandatory disclosures to the Financial Reporting Centre and senior leadership.
- AML Regulations and Policy Development
- Stay abreast of emerging regulations and global trends in the AML and compliance field.
- Drive continuous enhancement of internal AML procedures to align with the evolving regulatory landscape.
- Training and Capacity Building
- Organize and deliver AML awareness and training sessions to different audiences, including M-PESA agents, new staff, and business units.
- Support capacity development by sharing knowledge, tools, and techniques to strengthen the organization’s defense against financial crime.
- Controls Review and Audit Support
- Conduct regular audits and reviews of AML and CTF frameworks in collaboration with internal audit, compliance, and legal teams.
- Recommend risk mitigation strategies and remedial actions to close identified gaps.
- Due Diligence and Transaction Monitoring
- Execute comprehensive due diligence for high-risk customers and entities.
- Utilize transaction monitoring and sanction screening tools to detect unusual behavior or patterns.
- Act promptly on alerts and escalate potential breaches in line with policies.
- Reporting and Metrics
- Compile, analyze, and present weekly and monthly compliance reports for various internal stakeholders.
- Track trends, exceptions, resolution timelines, and regulatory changes affecting Safaricom operations.
- Automation and Dashboard Reporting
- Drive innovation in compliance reporting by automating dashboards and reducing manual processing time.
- Leverage data analytics tools to develop insights for management decision-making.
Job Requirements
To succeed in this role, applicants must meet the following qualifications and demonstrate corresponding experience:
- A Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution.
- Professional certification in Anti-Money Laundering (e.g., CAMS), Compliance, or Fraud Management.
- Minimum three (3) years of experience in an AML or Compliance role within the Telecommunications or Financial Services sector.
- At least three (3) years’ experience in a data analytics environment, with demonstrated ability to run long lead, real-time, and ad-hoc analysis to produce actionable insights.
- In-depth knowledge of AML regulations, both local and international, and familiarity with the evolving compliance landscape.
- Working knowledge of payment products and operations, preferably with mobile financial services like M-PESA.
- A strong ethical foundation and professional values to ensure sensitive handling of confidential and regulatory matters.
- Ability to work in complex, high-pressure environments, multitask effectively, and meet stringent deadlines.
- Demonstrated skills in teamwork and collaboration, including the ability to work cross-functionally to resolve complex compliance issues.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, necessary for engaging with regulatory bodies, stakeholders, and internal teams.
Work Environment
- Location: Safaricom House, Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Schedule: Regular office hours with flexibility to respond to compliance incidents and deadlines.
- Job Identification Number: 793
- Job Posting Date: 24 July 2025
- Application Deadline: 30 July 2025, 23:55 EAT
This position presents an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to Safaricom’s mission of financial inclusion and operational integrity. As the Principal Officer in the Money Laundering Reporting Office, you will ensure that Safaricom remains a trusted digital services provider, operating within the bounds of law and with the highest level of professional conduct.
How to Apply
If you feel that you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualifications and experience, kindly proceed to create or update your candidate profile on the official Safaricom recruitment portal. Once you have completed your profile, click on the Apply button to submit your application. Please ensure that your resume is attached during the submission process.
Final Note
Safaricom is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews and further assessment.
Join us and be part of a team that is setting the standard in digital innovation, financial security, and social impact in Kenya and beyond.
