Sanctions Officer

About HALA

HALA is a foremost fintech company operating across the MENAP region, dedicated to revolutionizing financial services and constructing the future SME-focused bank. Serving UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, HALA enables merchants to digitalize payments and streamline sales and operations. Established in 2017, it is licensed by the Saudi Arabian Central Bank.

Role Overview

The Sanctions Officer is tasked with conducting sanctions screening and investigative processes to detect potential sanctions matches, maintain up-to-date documentation, ensure compliance with regulations, and support transaction and account monitoring within HALA’s established policies and regulatory standards.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform sanctions screening for new and existing customers, transactions, employees, and third parties.
• Evaluate alerts generated by the screening system to distinguish between false and true matches.
• Investigate potential sanctions matches thoroughly and collect relevant evidence prior to escalation.
• Take action to halt or suspend transactions as required.
• Maintain accurate screening records and comprehensive documentation.
• Enforce account or transaction freezes or temporary blocks in line with approved procedures upon confirmed sanctions matches.
• Ensure current sanctions lists within the system are updated promptly reflecting regulatory changes.
• Maintain confidentiality concerning sanctions investigations.
• Assist in responding to requests from competent authorities related to specific sanctions matters.
• Help minimize false positives by providing feedback for improving screening criteria and parameters.
• Conduct periodic re-screening of existing customers when sanctions lists or customer details change.
• Support effectiveness testing of the sanctions screening system by reviewing samples and validating match outcomes.

Required Educational Background

A Bachelor's degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, or related disciplines is expected. Equivalent years of relevant experience may be considered.

Experience Requirements

Between 2 to 4 years of background in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF), and sanctions compliance is essential.

Skills & Competencies

• High proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Fluent communication skills in both English and Arabic.
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks and regulatory obligations.
• Intermediate abilities in self-actualization, team collaboration, entrepreneurial mindset, and business diligence.

Work Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive, diverse environment supporting innovation and flexibility across remote, office, and hybrid work modes.
• Competitive remuneration with opportunities for equity participation.
• Focus on career growth supported by regular training and an annual learning allowance.
• Work alongside a multicultural team spanning over 30 nationalities in seven countries.
• Experience autonomy and mentorship with challenging responsibilities fostering personal and organizational success.
• Empowerment through trust to execute duties with considerable independence.