Position: Compliance Manager, ASA International

Function: Group Compliance

Who we are

ASA International is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing international microfinance banking institutions offering socially responsible loans to underbanked, low-income female micro-entrepreneurs in Asia and Africa (“ASA International” or the “Group”). ASA International promotes financial inclusion and has successfully shown that access to financial services helps to reduce poverty and promotes social-economic progress for its predominantly female client base.

ASA International has a premium listing on the main market of the London Stock Exchange and serves close to 2.5 million customers across 13 countries in Asia and Africa. It has corporate head offices in Amsterdam, the Netherlands as well as in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

ASA International provides small loans ranging from USD 250 to USD 2,000. Almost all customers are women that run small businesses, from small shops, restaurants, sewing businesses, to various trading activities and cottage industries.

Increasing financial inclusion and promoting social and economic development of our clients and their communities is at the heart of ASA International’s mission.

Job PROFILE

ASA International is a seeking a Group Compliance Manager at its global office location in Dhaka.

With growing regulatory demands, as more our subsidiaries are increasingly regulated we are devoting substantial resources into our compliance function. As a compliance manager, you are responsible for ensuring a company complies with applicable laws and regulations and internal policies. The position ensures the Board of Directors, management and employees are in compliance with such rules and regulations of regulatory and that our company policies and procedures are being followed. Above all the Group Compliance Manager will facilitate, develop and maintain the right culture and ensure that behavior in the organization meets the company’s standards of conduct and ethics.

The Compliance Manager will design and oversee the corporate compliance program of ASA International (“Compliance Program”), functioning as an independent and objective body that reviews and evaluates compliance issues/concerns within the organization. One of the more important responsibilities includes oversight and review of the business areas’, as well as enforcing compliance with AML/KYC policies, procedures and intelligent transaction monitoring systems. 

The Compliance manager will also play a role in continual risk assessment related to compliance with local laws and regulations as they pertain to the business of the microfinance institutions in the various countries, including but not limited to:

  • Implementing the Compliance Program with written policies, procedures, and standards of Guiding compliance officers in group subsidiaries in establishing compliance function locally
  • Enforcing standards through well-publicized disciplinary guidelines and developing policies
  • Advising on relevant regulatory issues concerning the Company’s business. Consults with the Chief Compliance Legal and Risk Officer as needed to resolve complex legal compliance issues.
  • Identifying potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk; developing/implementing corrective action plans for resolution of issues, and provides general guidance on how to avoid or deal with similar situations in the future
  • Introduce effective compliance training program, including appropriate introductory conducting periodic risk assessments and response plans training for new employees as well as ongoing training for all employees and managers.
  • Conducting internal monitoring and auditing of Compliance Plan
  • Collaborating with other departments (e.g. Risk Management, Internal Audit, HR, etc.) to direct and resolve compliance issues
  • Responding promptly to detected breaches, developing corrective actions, and reporting findings
  • Providing reports on a regular basis, and as directed or requested, to keep the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board and senior management informed of compliance concerns
  • Developing effective lines of communication
responsibilities

  • You will be responsible for compliance with legal and professional standards and internal standards. As a compliance professional, you'll need to:

  • be responsible for overall & day-to-day management of compliance function (including overseeing of key compliance concerns; AML, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Compliance management etcetera) of the holding company and supervision across the Group entities
  • setting internal governance, compliance and policies with internal control (and supervising the local compliance managers in performing the same locally)
  • identify, evaluate, address legal and reputational risks and effectively manage compliance risks
  • implement compliance procedures & policies, ensure timely reporting, follow-up actions, documenting, record keeping and arrange trainings
  • prepare periodical compliance reports/ certificates/ confirmations
  • communicate with external counsel & regulators if required and keep up to date with, and understand, relevant laws and regulations assist in the gathering of internal information in response to regulatory requests
  • ensure compliance with licensing requirements
  • highlight or escalate areas of concern, contribute to robust and effective compliance controls within the organization
  • review contracts/documents, marketing materials, presentations and websites to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
  • collaborate with other departments to create a culture of compliance.
CORE COMPETENCIES
  • A humble, meticulous, and confident professional with a proven track record in change management
  • Ability to quickly dig down the processes and data; however, also take a step back and take in the overview of the situation
  • Analyze problems and translate them into concrete improvements and get the right buy-in and implement them.
  • Self-starter, proactive, and decisive
  • Excellent social skills and a good dose of organizational sensitivity
  • A team player who continuously improves self and the people around him/ her
  • Strong financial acumen and skills to communicate financials with different stakeholders
  • Advanced user of MS Office.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • Undergraduate degree in finance, accounting, economics, law or business.
  • 3 to 10 years’ experience with managing compliance regulatory projects or working in a banking environment or other financial management position.
  • Good understanding of financial institutions
reporting line

The Compliance Manager shall report to the Chief Compliance Legal and Risk Officer.

Salary

Market conform salary

Job location

Dhaka, Bangladesh

If you feel you are the right match for the above-mentioned position, please apply with a cover letter along with up-to-date resume as a single document and send it to careers@asa-international.com

Application deadline: 28 February 2024

Please Note: Only complete applications (cover letter and CV) will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We stand for inclusion & diversity. Therefore, we warmly encourage everyone to apply, regardless of gender, background, ethnicity, age, religion, etc. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply for this position.