Compliance Analyst

Role Overview

The Compliance Analyst supports the Compliance function in the execution of the firm’s regulatory, AML/CFT, sanctions, and governance responsibilities, ensuring compliance with the regulations of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and the firm’s internal policies and procedures. The role provides day-to-day support to the Deputy MLRO and MLRO across customer onboarding and reviews, KYC/KYB, CDD and EDD, transaction monitoring, alert and case review, investigation of unusual or potentially suspicious activity, sanctions and adverse media screening, regulatory reporting support, policy and procedure maintenance, compliance monitoring, record keeping, and general compliance administration. The role is expected to manage assigned compliance tasks with a degree of independence, exercise sound judgment in identifying and escalating issues, and support the effective operation of the Compliance function.

Responsibilities

Support the Deputy MLRO and MLRO in the day-to-day execution of the firm’s compliance, AML/CFT, sanctions, and financial crime responsibilities  

Assist in ensuring ongoing compliance with the regulations of the CBB and the firm’s internal policies, procedures, and controls  

Conduct customer onboarding and review activities, including KYC, KYB, CDD, and EDD assessments for individual and institutional customers  

Review customer profiles, source of funds, source of wealth, ownership structures, and supporting documentation to assess customer risk and onboarding suitability  

Perform periodic, trigger-based, and event-driven customer reviews and remediation exercises to ensure customer records remain complete, accurate, and up to date  

Review customer transactions and account activity to identify unusual, suspicious, or potentially high-risk behaviour  

Conduct transaction monitoring reviews, alert investigations, and case analysis, including documenting findings and escalating concerns where appropriate  

Investigate unusual activity, analyse transactional patterns and customer behaviour, and support the preparation and escalation of suspicious activity matters for consideration of STR filing  

Assist in the preparation of internal suspicious activity referrals, STR-related documentation, and supporting case records, in accordance with internal procedures and under the direction of the Deputy MLRO and MLRO  

Perform sanctions screening, adverse media checks, and politically exposed person (PEP) reviews, and escalate potential matches or concerns in accordance with internal procedures  

Maintain and update compliance records, registers, logs, and case files, including customer due diligence records, transaction review logs, sanctions and PEP screening records, training logs, and regulatory correspondence files  

Assist in the preparation and submission of regulatory reports and returns within prescribed timelines and maintain trackers for regulatory obligations and submissions  

Support the review and implementation of relevant regulatory developments, including updates to applicable CBB requirements, and assist in reflecting such changes in internal policies, procedures, and controls  

Assist in drafting, reviewing, updating, and maintaining compliance policies, procedures, manuals, and internal controls to ensure they remain current and effective  

Support compliance monitoring activities, thematic reviews, internal control checks, and remediation tracking across the business  

Prepare internal compliance reports, management information, dashboards, and updates for senior management and governance forums, as required  

Liaise with internal stakeholders across operations, customer support, legal, risk, product, and other business functions to obtain information and support compliance reviews, investigations, and remediation actions  

Support internal audits, regulatory inspections, independent reviews, and external examinations by preparing documentation, responding to information requests, and maintaining audit-ready records  

Prepare meeting materials, maintain action trackers, record minutes where required, and follow up on outstanding compliance matters  

Provide support in training and guiding new joiners within the Compliance Department on relevant compliance procedures, workflows, and documentation standards, as required

Provide general administrative and operational support to the Compliance Department as required  

Perform any other compliance, AML/CFT, sanctions, monitoring, investigation, or regulatory-related duties assigned by the Deputy MLRO or MLRO from time to time

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree

3–5 years of relevant experience in compliance, AML/CFT, financial crime, or regulatory compliance, preferably within a regulated financial services, payments, fintech, or virtual asset environment

Good working knowledge of AML/CFT, sanctions, KYC/KYB, CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity escalation processes

Familiarity with the regulatory requirements of the CBB, including applicable AML/CFT obligations; knowledge of CBB Volume 5 is preferred

Experience in customer onboarding reviews, periodic reviews, remediation, and customer risk assessments for individual and institutional customers

Experience reviewing transaction monitoring alerts, investigating unusual activity, documenting findings, and escalating matters appropriately

Exposure to sanctions screening, adverse media screening, PEP reviews, and name screening alert handling

Experience assisting with internal suspicious activity referrals, case preparation, and supporting STR-related processes is preferred

Experience maintaining compliance records, logs, trackers, and case files in an organised and audit-ready manner

Ability to review and assess customer documentation, ownership structures, source of funds, and source of wealth information with good judgment and attention to detail

Experience supporting regulatory reporting, internal reporting, compliance monitoring, audits, inspections, or control reviews is an advantage

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear case notes, summaries, and internal reports

Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively, and work independently on assigned responsibilities while escalating issues appropriately

High level of integrity, professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment

Relevant professional certifications such as ACAMS, ICA, or equivalent would be an advantage