Sanctions Officer

The Sanctions Officer serves as the sanctions subject matter experts responsible for reviewing and investigating all escalated potential violations of Japan, OFAC, E.U., UK and other sanctions programs processed through Wise. This includes: reviewing and giving final approval regarding escalated alerts on transactions and matches to Botsui, MOF, and METI, as well as, OFAC, E.U., UK and any other applicable lists and programs; reviewing and approving licensed transactions; reporting blocked property and rejected transactions to the respective regulatory agencies; investigation into potential circumvention attempts; advising teams on sanctions related issues and sanctions incidents; ensuring all sanctions related processes and manuals are accurate and updated; and coordinating with the Team Lead on ad-hoc sanctions projects, as appropriate. This role will primarily focus on Japan. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Investigate and provide final decisioning on escalated sanctions cases for Level 3 review
• Use investigative tools and web research to analyze vessel movements, beneficial ownership, and potential sanctions links to discount or identify potential sanctions concerns.
• Prepare and review draft sanction filings to Japan regulators. Additionally, file block and reject reports with HM Treasury, OFAC, EU and other jurisdictional regulatory agencies. 
• Prepare the list required for Botsui screening on a monthly cadence. Report potential matches in person to the Japanese Boutsui center and local police.
• Provide advice and subject matter expertise on sanctions related issues, acting as a point of escalation for teams within Wise
• Help to facilitate governance over sanctions lists/screening framework and procedures.
• Identify sanctions compliance issues/concerns and make suggestions and/or take corrective action to implement solutions to improve controls/operations.
• Assist in the review of sanctions related regulatory examination and internal audit deliverables.
• Assist in the provision of sanctions related training for employees as needed.
• Assist with drafting sanctions procedures
• Support and provide guidance to the Japan sanctions analysts. 

Skills/requirements:

• Proficient in reading and writing Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
• Knowledge of Japan Sanction regulations (Foreign Exchange & Foreign Trade Act, Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds, AML/CFT Guideline)
• Knowledge of OFAC, UK and EU sanctions regulations.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple deliverables and a range of sanctions risk management responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills in Japanese and English.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Conduct legal and investigative research utilizing open-source research systems.
• An understanding of SWIFT payments, trade finance and cross border payments
• Proven track record of taking ownership and responsibilities as well as being a great team-player
• High ethical standards, respect for confidentiality and privacy.
• You are able to persevere in a fast paced environment
• Prior experience in Sanctions or FinCrime operations will be considered a plus

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