Job Title

Senior KYC Specialist

South Africa, Gauteng
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R500000 - R850000 Per Month
Area: South Africa, Gauteng
Sector: Banking
Posted: 23 June 2026

Job Details

 

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION TEAM

 

Key Performance Areas (Objectives) and Performance Requirements

 

Role Purpose

The KYC Specialist is responsible for strengthening the quality, completeness and consistency of KYC execution within the Central Administration Team (CAT). The role provides senior first-line second-level review, senior checker support and technical back-up over on-boarding, Re-ID/periodic reviews, ad hoc client amendments, file closure, name screening, FATCA/CRS updates, beneficial ownership analysis, enhanced due diligence, system data integrity, KYC exceptions and remediation tracking. The role acts as CAT’s KYC subject matter expert and supports the CAT Team Leader through technical guidance, coaching, quality assurance, workflow monitoring and escalation of material KYC risks. The role must ensure that CAT’s KYC files are complete, accurate, evidence-based, and aligned to the Branch’s approved policies and procedures, and legislative requirements.

 

KYC, AML/CFT/CPF and Client Lifecycle Management

 

1

 

Key Performance Indicators for this KPA

 

1.1

Perform second-level review of customer due diligence for new client on-boarding in accordance with the RMCP, CDD Standards, FICA requirements, FATCA/CRS requirements, System KYC requirements and approved CAT procedures. Where required, act as back-up to the KYC Analyst in preparing, completing or updating on-boarding files. Ensure that on-boarding files are complete, accurate, evidence-based before the on-boarding process is finalised or submitted for approval.

1.2

 

Review the completeness and consistency of CIFs, CDD checklists, ownership structures, supporting documents, mandates, FATCA/CRS documentation, risk-rating inputs, screening records, Re-ID records, ad hoc amendment records and approval evidence before on-boarding, client maintenance or Re-ID progresses. Ensure that mandatory KYC requirements are not bypassed unless a documented and approved exception exists in line with the RMCP and applicable procedures.

1.3

Conduct detailed review of legal ownership, beneficial ownership and control structures, including companies, trusts, layered entities, foreign entities, nominee arrangements and intermediary structures. Identify natural persons exercising ownership or control through ownership interest, control through other means or control over management, and ensure that the basis for identification and verification is clearly documented

1.4

Coordinate and perform second-level review of ongoing due diligence, Re-ID and periodic reviews to ensure that client information, ownership structures, risk rating, FATCA/CRS status, mandates and supporting CDD documentation remain current, complete and consistent with the client risk profile and business activity. Where required, act as back-up to the KYC Analyst in completing Re-ID activities on SYSTEM, including name screening, risk rating updates and document refreshes. Maintain a forward-looking periodic review/Re-ID tracker and escalate overdue or blocked reviews.

 1.5

 Act as CAT’s technical control point for SYSTEM KYC data integrity by performing senior review of information captured or amended on SYSTEM, including client information, on-boarding data, Re-ID updates, ad hoc amendments, dealer/mandate updates where applicable, FATCA/CRS data, risk-rating information, screening outcomes and file-closure updates. Ensure that SYSTEM information is complete, accurate and consistent with the approved KYC file, CIF, ownership structure, mandates, risk-rating rationale and supporting documentation.

 

1.6

·       Perform second-level quality checks on SYSTEM client information and KYC fields, including new on-boarding captures, Re-ID updates, ad hoc client amendments, FATCA/CRS captures, name-screening outcomes, dormant/suspended-account updates and file-closure actions. Identify recurring capturing errors, maintain an error log, provide feedback to responsible staff and recommend process or training interventions to prevent repeat errors. Ensure that manual workarounds, risk-rating overrides or system limitations are documented, approved where required and supported by an adequate audit trail.

 

1.7

·       Maintain and monitor KYC exceptions, outstanding CDD items, Re-ID gaps, ad hoc amendment gaps, file-closure gaps and remediation actions. Ensure that each exception records the control gap, risk rationale, compensating controls, owner, due date, escalation trigger and closure evidence. Escalate material or overdue KYC gaps to the CAT Team Leader, and Compliance in line with the approved escalation process.

1.8

 

·       Perform review of client/file closure, dormant account, suspended account, account restriction and relationship-exit actions on SYSTEM to ensure that closure or restriction is supported by the approved rationale, required approvals, outstanding-obligation assessment and audit trail. Escalate CDD that cannot be completed within approved timelines.

1.9

 

Perform second-level review of name screening, PEP, sanctions and adverse media results arising from on-boarding, Re-ID/periodic review, ad hoc amendments, file closure and client maintenance processes. Act as back-up to the KYC Analyst for name-screening review and queue management when required. Escalate potential true matches, material adverse information and risk-rating impact in line with approved procedures.

1.10

Provide technical guidance, coaching and on-the-job support to CAT staff on KYC requirements, on-boarding, Re-ID, ad hoc amendments, file closure, beneficial ownership verification, SYSTEM KYC capturing, name screening, exception handling, file preparation and evidence standards. Act as the first technical escalation point within CAT for complex KYC queries before referral to Compliance, while also maintaining sufficient operational capability to provide back-up when the KYC Analyst is unavailable or capacity constrained.

1.11

 

Prepare and contribute to KYC management information for CAT, including on-boarding status, Re-ID/periodic review status, ad hoc amendments, file closures, name-screening items, overdue reviews, outstanding CDD, beneficial ownership gaps, exceptions, SYSTEM data errors, repeat findings, remediation progress and escalation items. Provide trend analysis on recurring KYC deficiencies and recommend corrective actions to the CAT Team Leader, OMD management and Compliance, where appropriate.

     

 

KYC Projects, Remediation and Process Improvement

 

 

2

PHR Code: Key Performance Area (Objective): KYC Projects, Remediation and Process Improvement |

 

To support approved KYC, client lifecycle, data quality and regulatory remediation initiatives that strengthen CAT execution, file quality, SYSTEM data integrity and evidence-based KYC record keeping.

2.1

Support implementation of KYC Working Group actions, including standardised beneficial ownership review, reduction of CI and SYSTEM capturing errors, improved workflow discipline and remediation of recurring file-quality deficiencies.

2.2

Contribute to CAT process standardisation, KYC checklists, trackers, escalation templates, quality-control routines and training materials approved by the CAT Team Leader and relevant governance structures.

2.3

Support KYC, client lifecycle and regulatory remediation projects approved by the CAT Team Leader, OMD management, Compliance or the relevant governance forum.

 

 

 

 

Summary of Job Requirements

 

Formal Qualifications Required

Essential / Desirable

 

Relevant tertiary qualification in Commerce, Business, Law, Risk, Compliance, Finance or a related field

Essential

AML/KYC/CDD training or equivalent practical certification

Essential

 

 

 

 

Professional Certification / Membership Required

Essential / Desirable

 

 

 ACAMS, ICA AML/KYC qualification, Compliance Institute qualification or equivalent AML/CFT/CPF certification

Desirable

 

Ongoing AML/CFT/CPF, sanctions, beneficial ownership and KYC system training

Essential

Membership of a recognised compliance, AML or risk professional body

Desirable

                                                    

 

Job Related Experience Required

Time Span

Essential / Desirable

 

Banking / financial services experience, preferably in corporate and institutional banking

5 years +

Essential

KYC / CDD / EDD experience in a regulated financial institution, including second-level review or checker experience

5 years +

Essential

 

KYC / CDD / EDD experience in a regulated financial institution, including second-level review or checker experience

 

7 years +

Essential

Corporate client onboarding, Re-ID/periodic review, ad hoc amendments, file closure and client maintenance experience

3 years +

Essential

Beneficial ownership, complex ownership structures, trusts, foreign entities and control analysis

3 years +

Essential

KYC quality assurance, second-level review, operational back-up, remediation tracking, audit support or regulatory inspection preparation

2 years +

Essential

Demonstrated knowledge across diverse legal entity structures, including complex entities such as asset managers, investment vehicles, and regulated financial institutions

3 years +

Essential

 

Job Related Knowledge Required

Essential / Desirable

Knowledge of applicable AML/CFT/CPF, KYC/CDD and related regulatory requirements in a banking environment

Essential

Understanding of client lifecycle management, including on-boarding, periodic review/Re-ID, client maintenance and file closure

Essential

Understanding of risk-based CDD, client risk rating and escalation principles

Essential

Working knowledge of beneficial ownership, client ownership/control assessment and corporate client structures

Essential

Awareness of FATCA/CRS, sanctions, PEPs/PIPs, adverse media and other regulatory considerations relevant to CDD.

Essential

 

Job Related Skills Required

Essential / Desirable

Strong analytical and problem-solving and decision support skills

Essential

Ability to review KYC files, identify gaps and provide practical guidance

Essential

Ability to perform senior checker / second-level review and provide operational back-up when required

Essential

Good attention to detail and ability to assess completeness, consistency and quality of documents and records

Essential

Ability to use banking, KYC and client information systems accurately and effectively

Essential

Clear written and verbal communication skills, including preparing concise KYC rationales and escalation notes

Essential

Stakeholder management skills and ability to work effectively with CAT, Relationship Managers, Credit Analysts and Compliance

Essential

Ability to organise workload, monitor trackers, follow up on outstanding items and support process improvement

Essential