AML Risk Advisory Specialist

The AML Risk Advisory Specialist serves as a core subject matter expert within the Second Line of Defence (2LoD), providing dedicated risk-based guidance on Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), Countering Proliferation Financing (CPF), and Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS). This position is responsible for analyzing complex risk parameters, evaluating high-risk customer profiles, and advising business lines on effective risk mitigation strategies.

This role reports directly to the Financial Crime Risk Lead , who reports to the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) .

Key Responsibilities

Risk Advisory & Case Governance

- High-Risk Onboarding & Reviews: Conduct technical risk assessments and support analysis for sign-off for High-Risk Customers (HRC) , Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) , and structurally complex legal entities or trusts.
- Escalation & Parameter Management: Analyze complex escalations involving Sanctions screening, adverse media, and material negative news, establishing clear risk recommendations for Business Units (BUs).
- Onboarding Risk: Evaluate risk parameters and dictate control expectations for customer onboarding, electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) variations, and digital channels.
- Monitoring and Reviews: Perform vendor name screening reviews, STR approvals
- Analytics – Work with Operations and Intelligence PICs to introduce / review monitoring scenario / rules, including testing.

Product, Channel, & Third-Party Assessments

- New Product Approvals (NPA): Review and evaluate AML/CFT/CPF risks for all new product launches, digital deployment channels, and payment modifications prior to market release.
- Outsourcing & Third-Party Due Diligence: Perform independent risk assessment reviews and due diligence on third-party service providers, agents, and outsourced operational functions.
- Other Assessments: Review or perform Periodic/adhoc assessments, depending on the needs and requirements.

AML Systems and Thresholds Maintenance

- AML Module - Screening, Transaction Monitoring- Work with vendors and internal engineers on configurations in UAT and production environments, implementation and deployment of changes, perform testings and validations together with ops and intelligence team.

Testing, Governance, & Reporting

- Regulatory Liaison Support: Support the Financial Crime Risk Lead during inspections, audits, and inquiries conducted by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) or other local statutory bodies.
- Assurance Testing & Monitoring (CTM): Plan and execute periodic, targeted 2LoD assurance testing programs to verify that First Line of Defence (1LoD) financial crime controls function optimally.
- Enterprise Risk Assessments: Provide data, analytics, and risk insights to drive the annual Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment (EWRA) and compile recurring Management Information (MI) reports for risk committees.
- Committee support: - Secretariat to FRAML Committee, FCR main contact for all management and board committee matters.

Framework Maintenance & Training

- Policy Implementation: Assist in updating internal policies, Customer Acceptance Procedures, and specific AML/CFT guidelines to directly align with the latest BNM Policy Documents and FATF standards.
- Targeted Training: Design and deliver specialized AML Risk training sessions tailored to high-risk business lines and frontline operations.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Experience & Education

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Law, Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related discipline.
- Experience: >10 years of specialized financial crime experience in AML/CFT advisory, risk management, or compliance audit within the Malaysian financial sector (Banking, Digital Bank, Fintech, or Insurance).
- Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of Malaysian anti-money laundering legislation, specifically the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA) and the updated BNM Policy Document on AML/CFT/CPF and TFS .

Technical Certifications & Competencies

- Professional Certification: Professional credential such as CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) , ICA (International Compliance Association) Advanced Certificate/Diploma, or equivalent industry-recognized qualifications is a plus.
- Analytical Skills: Advanced ability to analyse and interpret data for monitoring, prevention and detection, analysing corporate shareholding structures, determine ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO), and isolate complex money laundering typologies.
- Stakeholder Management:  Exceptional communication skills to deliver a balanced but effective challenge mechanism to business units regarding their choice of client risk profiles.
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