Addleshaw Goddard Qatar Jobs Careers 2024 | Financial Crime & Sanctions – Senior Lawyer Jobs Vacancy In Doha Qatar

THE TEAM

The OGC comprises over 50 lawyers and other team members and acts as the internal legal function of the Firm.  It oversees regulatory compliance and provides strategic risk management advice across the firm’s UK and EMEA offices.  This includes advising the firm on regulatory and professional practice issues, drafting and agreeing firm-wide policies and procedures, and assisting the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Conflicts Partner, Global MLRO and AML Committee, and Anti‑Bribery & Corruption (ABC) Officer.  The team, along with the rest of the Firm, has embedded a flexible and agile culture. Our working flexibly policy makes agile working accessible to all, whilst always balancing individual needs with the requirements of the team, the firm, and its clients.

WHAT THE ROLE INVOLVES 

This role sits within the Financial Crime and Sanctions Team (the FCS Team) and involves advising the Firm globally on a variety of FCS compliance issues, with a particular focus on providing support in relation to regulatory audits across our global practice and the drafting and amendment of the Firm’s policies, controls, and procedures from an FCS perspective (FCS PCPs).

You will therefore play a crucial role in a broad range of complex matters related to the Firm, its clients, and the development and growth of the Firm’s business, and in: (a) ensuring the FCS Team delivers timely advice to drive compliance with all relevant regulatory and statutory obligations across the Firm’s global practice; (b) acting as an escalation, advice and guidance point for the Business Acceptance Unit (BAU) / New Clients Team and the FCS Team on a number of financial crime-related aspects; and, (c) assisting the General Counsel, Deputy GC, Global MLRO and AML Committee in managing relevant financial crime projects, such as responding to Regulatory requests and audit processes and updating FCS PCPs. The role may also involve assisting with training both within the FCS Team and the wider Firm.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The role involves undertaking technical, judgment and decision-based work to ensure a robust FCS environment is maintained and relevant FCS controls are effective, including:

• Responding to various Regulatory requests/audits across the Firm’s global practice, such as annual regulatory returns, MLRO Reports, audits and thematic reviews and contributing to the Firm’s Practice-Wide Risk Assessment.
• Providing expert advice and support to the Firm on a broad range of FCS compliance issues, including the application of legislation, regulations, and policy in the context of client / matter risk assessment, reporting, third party payments/receipts, and complex/high risk queries and approvals.
• Overseeing complex / high risk clients / matters and making referrals to the Firm’s AML Committee (and the GC on reputational issues) and giving recommendations on approach / approval.
• Being a point of escalation for the BAU and FCS Teams on any complex queries and providing oversight in relation to FCS compliance across the
• Providing the relevant approvals in accordance with the referrals/escalation procedure and assisting with potential reporting considerations.
• Engaging and influencing partners, fee earners and other stakeholders on FCS compliance and strategy including all elements of the Firm’s file opening/CDD processes, procedures (including Source of Funds and Wealth) and the review of FCS risk issues.
• Maintaining an excellent understanding of the FCS regulations and legislation in relation to the Firm’s operational jurisdictions and ensuring the design and implementation of robust, firm-wide FCS PCPs.
• Assessing potential reporting obligations under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (as amended) and any other relevant legislation and providing support and input to the Firm’s MLROs in relation to same. Preparing disclosures for submission to the National Crime Agency (or other FIUs in the Firm’s jurisdictions of operation) when required.
• Conducting detailed analysis of UN, EU, UK, and US sanctions regimes and escalating potential issues to the Firm’s Global Investigations Team, General Counsel and MLRO, as appropriate.
• Advising on bribery and corruption queries, including supplier due diligence, reviewing client ABC terms and policy statements, and escalating to the ABC Officer, as appropriate.
• Keeping abreast of emerging financial crime threats and ensuring the Firm receives timely, updated guidance to manage the risks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED (BESPOKE TO ROLE)

The role requires the following skills and competencies:

• a minimum of five years’ experience working in an FCS advisory role in the legal or compliance team of an International Law Firm. Applications would also be considered from candidates with equivalent experience gained at a listed / regulated business, a major financial institution, or a non-legal professional services business
• Extensive knowledge and technical experience of relevant regulation and legislation and the application of these, as follows:
• the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (as amended)
• the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (as amended)
• UN/EU/UK/US and other applicable sanctions regimes
• the Bribery Act 2010 (as amended)
• relevant sectoral guidance such as the Legal Sector Affinity Group or JMLSG.
• Knowledge of equivalent regulatory requirements applicable in the Firm’s EMEA offices would be advantageous given the predominant focus on regulatory reporting and audit across the firm’s offices.
• Deep understanding of risk and the regulatory framework, preferably with an ICA or equivalent diploma in AML/Financial Crime.
• Ability to use own initiative and apply appropriate judgement, escalating issues as required, with a proven ability to respond quickly to urgent queries, meet deadlines and deliver results.
• Commercial focus, with an ability to see the opportunity and not just the risks and also adopt a proactive approach, seeking ways to add value and drive quality within risk appetite.
• Ability to influence partners and senior management and challenge where necessary, and to communicate persuasively in person, by telephone and in writing
• Dynamism – willing to engage with and champion change. Ability to assess, draft, and update policies and procedures.
• An eye for detail but with an ability to see ‘the big picture’ and get things done.
• An ability to design and deliver effective financial crime training at all levels of the Firm.