Sanction Officer

Role Overview

Sanction Officer at Hala, a leading fintech player in the MENAP region. The role is based in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or Egypt, where Hala operates multiple licensed entities including HALA Payments and HALA Logistics.

Company Overview

HALA is a fintech company founded in 2017 that aims to redefine financial services and build the future bank of SMEs. HALA empowers SMEs to start, run, and grow their businesses by providing cutting-edge financial and technological tools. The company holds multiple entities in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, offering solutions that enable merchants to digitize their payments and manage their sales and operations. HALA is licensed by the Saudi Arabian Central Bank and operates across 7 countries with a team of over 30 nationalities.

Role Purpose

The Sanctions Officer conducts sanctions screening and investigations to identify potential sanctions matches, ensure timely regulatory compliance, support transaction monitoring and account controls, and maintain accurate documentation in accordance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Screening & Investigation

• Conduct sanctions name screening for new customers, existing customers, transactions, employees, and third parties.
• Analyze alerts generated by screening systems and assess the level of match, distinguishing between False Match and True Match.
• Conduct necessary investigations for potential matches and gather supporting evidence and information before escalating to the Sanctions Manager.
• Support sanctions screening system effectiveness testing by reviewing samples and validating match results.
• Conduct periodic rescreening of existing customers upon updates to sanctions lists or changes in customer data.

Transaction & Account Controls

• Execute instructions to stop or suspend transactions when required.
• Implement freezing or temporary blocking of transactions or accounts upon confirmed matches, in accordance with approved policies and procedures.

Compliance & Documentation

• Update screening records and ensure complete and accurate documentation.
• Update and review approved sanctions lists within the system and ensure that any regulatory updates are reflected in a timely manner.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of information related to sanctions cases.

Regulatory & Stakeholder Support

• Support the execution of requests from competent authorities related to specific sanctions cases, in accordance with approved authorities.
• Contribute to the reduction of false positives by providing practical feedback to enhance screening criteria and parameters.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent field of study (or equivalent years of professional experience).
• 2–4 years of experience in AML/CTF and sanctions.

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Tools.
• Fluent in English and Arabic.
• Solid knowledge of compliance and regulations.
• Self-Actualization & Fulfillment: Intermediate proficiency level.
• Team Synergy & Development: Intermediate proficiency level.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset & Drive: Intermediate proficiency level.
• Business Acumen & Diligence: Intermediate proficiency level.

Additional Information

• Inclusive and diverse culture that encourages innovation and flexibility in remote, in-office, and hybrid work setups.
• Highly competitive compensation packages, including potential for shares.
• Regular training and annual learning stipend to support personal development and career growth in a hyper-growth environment.
• Autonomy, mentoring, and challenging goals that create opportunities for professional advancement.
• Significant responsibility and trust placed on role holders to drive results and function effectiveness.