About the Role
Our client is enhancing its sanctions screening capability and is seeking a hands-on FircoSoft specialist to optimize this critical function. This role is based within the institution's financial crime compliance function in Riyadh, and candidates from around the world are welcome to apply, with full support provided for relocation and mobilization. You will be responsible for assessing, calibrating, and optimizing the FircoSoft screening environment across customer and payment screening, focusing on filter rules, matching algorithms, thresholds, list management, and workflow configuration.
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Key Responsibilities
- Assess the current FircoSoft configuration, including matching algorithms, rules, thresholds, good-guy/exception lists, and the overall screening scope for customers and transactions/payments.
- Tune filter parameters and matching logic to minimize false positives while ensuring robust sanctions risk coverage, documenting pre- and post-tuning analysis.
- Optimize Arabic name-matching performance by addressing challenges such as transliteration handling, romanisation variants, name particles, and script-conversion behavior across watchlists and customer data.
- Review list management practices, including sanctions list ingestion, versioning, and update mechanisms (UN, OFAC, EU, UK, and local/SAMA-directed lists), along with governance around exceptions and whitelisting.
- Conduct effectiveness testing of screening outcomes using an above-the-line/below-the-line methodology; document methodology, results, and recommendations to ensure compliance with model validation and regulatory standards.
- Support improvements in alert workflow and operating model, focusing on alert quality, hibernation/suppression logic, escalation paths, and feedback loops for investigators.
- Coordinate with Compliance, Screening Operations, Technology teams, and vendors; present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders in both Arabic and English as required.
Essential Requirements
- Hands-on experience in tuning FircoSoft, specifically in filter configuration, matching algorithms, rules, and threshold calibration.
- Professional fluency in both Arabic and English, with practical experience addressing challenges in Arabic name screening, such as transliteration and romanisation variants.
- Strong knowledge of sanctions compliance laws and regulations, including UN, OFAC, EU, and UK regimes, alongside expectations regarding filter effectiveness.
- Experience in screening effectiveness testing and documentation that meets model validation, audit, and regulatory review standards.
- Background in banking or financial services, with the ability to interact with stakeholders across Compliance, Operations, Technology, and vendor management.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in Saudi Arabia or the broader GCC region and familiarity with SAMA supervisory expectations related to sanctions screening.
- Exposure to ISO 20022 / SWIFT MT-MX message screening and payment flow architecture.
- Knowledge of complementary screening or monitoring platforms and data analysis tools (e.g., SQL or similar).
- ACAMS, ICA, or equivalent certification.
Travel Details
This position is based in Riyadh; hence, willingness to relocate is essential and is fully supported.
