Head of Financial Crime/ MLRO

Equity Bank is hiring a Head of Financial Crime/ Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) within its Compliance function. Based in Kenya, the role provides senior independent oversight of the Bank’s Anti-Money Laundering, Counter Financing of Terrorism and Counter Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) framework, regulatory compliance, financial crime risk management and suspicious transaction reporting.

Key Job Information

• Position: Head of Financial Crime/ MLRO
• Company: Equity Bank
• Location: Kenya
• Organization: Compliance
• Employment Type: Regular
• Job Level: Team Leader
• Job Shift: Day Job
• Experience: 12–15 years in AML/CFT/CPF, Compliance, Financial Crime Risk Management, Risk, Regulatory Compliance or Internal Audit within financial services
• Job Posting Date: 3 September 2026
• Job Reference: 260000AE

About Equity Bank

Equity Bank is a financial services institution operating in Kenya, with business interests spanning banking, insurance, technology and social enterprise. Its stated purpose is to transform lives, give dignity and expand opportunities for wealth creation, supported by values including professionalism, integrity, creativity and innovation, teamwork, unity of purpose, respect and effective corporate governance.

About the Role

The Head of Financial Crime/MLRO is the senior independent officer accountable for designing, overseeing and assuring the effectiveness of the Bank’s AML/CFT/CPF framework. The position covers regulatory compliance, suspicious transaction reporting, financial crime risk management, sanctions compliance and reporting to Senior Management and the Board.

The MLRO will also maintain independent access to Senior Management and the Board, while serving as a key liaison with regulators, the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), law enforcement agencies, auditors, correspondent banks and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously enhance the Bank’s AML/CFT/CPF compliance programme, policies, standards and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with POCAMLA, CBK Prudential Guidelines, FATF Standards, sanctions requirements and applicable regulatory obligations.
• Conduct and maintain enterprise-wide AML/CFT/CPF risk assessments and implement appropriate risk-based controls.
• Oversee Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), KYC, beneficial ownership verification and customer risk-rating processes.
• Provide oversight of transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, name screening and financial crime surveillance systems.
• Review and investigate suspicious activities, determine reportability and ensure timely submission of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) to the Financial Reporting Centre.
• Advise Management and the Board on financial crime risks, regulatory developments, control weaknesses and significant compliance issues.
• Lead regulatory inspections, compliance reviews, thematic assessments and remediation of regulatory and audit findings.
• Drive AML/CFT/CPF training, awareness and capability-building across the three lines of defence while fostering a strong compliance culture.
• Monitor emerging financial crime typologies, sanctions risks, regulatory developments and industry practices and incorporate relevant developments into the control environment.
• Prepare AML/CFT/CPF risk, compliance, control effectiveness and regulatory reports for Senior Management, Board Committees and the Board.
• Lead, mentor and develop the Financial Crime Compliance team, including resource planning, succession planning and performance management.
• Support product reviews, digitization programmes and business change initiatives by ensuring financial crime risks are identified, assessed and mitigated.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Banking, Commerce, Accounting, Economics, Risk Management or a related field.
• Minimum 12–15 years’ experience in AML/CFT/CPF, Compliance, Financial Crime Risk Management, Risk, Regulatory Compliance or Internal Audit within the financial services sector.
• At least five years’ experience in a senior management or leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in AML/CFT investigations, transaction monitoring, sanctions compliance, regulatory inspections and financial crime risk management.
• Proven experience engaging regulators, law enforcement agencies, external auditors and senior governance forums.
• Experience in Board reporting, regulatory remediation and implementation of enterprise-wide compliance programmes.
• Professional certification such as CAMS, ICA Diploma in AML, CFE, ACAMS, CRCM, CPA, ACCA, CISI or an equivalent financial crime and compliance qualification.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development in AML/CFT/CPF, financial crime compliance and regulatory risk management.
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT/CPF laws, regulations, prudential guidelines and international standards.
• Strong analytical, investigative and risk assessment capabilities, together with excellent report-writing and executive communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing, regulatory relationship management, leadership and people-development skills.
• High integrity, independence, sound judgement and decision-making capability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.

How to Apply

Candidates interested in the Head of Financial Crime/ MLRO position should apply through Equity Bank’s official careers platform. The vacancy reference is 260000AE. Applicants should review the stated qualifications and experience requirements and follow the application instructions provided on the official recruitment portal.

Qualified candidates should submit their applications through the designated recruitment system and ensure that all required information is provided accurately.