Virtual Assets Compliance Lead

Safaricom is hiring a Virtual Assets Compliance Lead based at Safaricom House, Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Kenya. The role will lead financial crime compliance for virtual assets, embedding AML/CFT/CPF controls into product design, partnerships and digital payment initiatives while supporting regulatory compliance and risk management.

Key Job Information

• Position: Virtual Assets Compliance Lead
• Company: Safaricom
• Location: Safaricom House, Waiyaki Way, Westlands, P.O Box 66827, 00800, KE
• Employment Type: Full time
• Job Category: Cyber Security
• Degree Level: Bachelor’s Degree
• Job Reference: 1490
• Application Deadline: 27 September 2026 at 11:55 PM

About Safaricom

Safaricom is a technology company operating across Kenya and Ethiopia. The company provides connectivity and digital services, including M-PESA, and states that it is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting staff from different backgrounds and achieving equal gender representation.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Financial Crime Compliance, the Virtual Assets Compliance Lead will own Safaricom’s financial crime compliance strategy for virtual assets. The role will work with fintech and cross-border remittances teams to establish fit-for-purpose compliance monitoring capabilities and develop internal expertise that responds to the evolving digital assets landscape.

The position will act as a compliance advisor to product, technology and business teams, ensuring virtual assets products, partnerships and integrations meet applicable regulatory requirements from the design and development stage. It will also oversee enhanced due diligence, risk management, regulatory engagement and effective governance across the virtual assets portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead financial crime compliance activities for virtual assets and ensure AML/CFT/CPF controls are incorporated into product and partnership development.
• Monitor and interpret evolving virtual assets regulations and translate regulatory requirements into practical compliance programmes.
• Support engagement with the Central Bank of Kenya, Capital Markets Authority, Financial Reporting Centre and other mandated bodies on regulatory compliance, reporting and emerging policy matters.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of Suspicious Activity Reports and Suspicious Transaction Reports relating to virtual assets activities.
• Advise product, technology and business teams on compliance requirements throughout the Agile delivery lifecycle.
• Review virtual assets product propositions, partnerships and third-party integrations against applicable regulatory standards before launch.
• Own and continuously improve the enhanced due diligence framework for virtual assets partnerships, service providers and customers.
• Conduct financial crime risk assessments and maintain an up-to-date understanding of emerging threats, typologies and industry best practices.
• Represent Safaricom in regulatory forums, industry working groups and policy consultations concerning virtual assets financial crime compliance.
• Report to senior leadership on the virtual assets regulatory environment, compliance programme performance and emerging risks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Risk Management, Law, Business, Statistics, IT or a related discipline.
• At least 6 years of experience in financial crime compliance, with demonstrated exposure to virtual assets or VASP regulatory frameworks, fintech product compliance or digital payments.
• Professional certification in AML/CFT/CPF Compliance, such as CAMS, CAMS Crypto, ICA or an equivalent qualification.
• Strong knowledge of virtual assets regulatory frameworks, including FATF guidance, CBK and CMA regulations and global best practices.
• Proven experience advising product and technology teams in a compliance-by-design capacity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Chainalysis certifications, such as Chainalysis Reactor Certification.
• Crypto Investigator or compliance-related courses.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience should create or update their candidate profile on the Safaricom recruitment portal and then click the application button. Candidates should attach their resume and submit their applications by 27 September 2026 at 11:55 PM.