Role Summary:

We are seeking a strategic Product Owner to lead payment methods partnerships across African markets. This role will focus on building, managing, and optimizing strategic partnerships with mobile network operators, banks, payment processors, and fintech providers to expand our payment ecosystem and drive market penetration across the continent.

Key... Responsibilities

Partnership Strategy & Development


Develop comprehensive partnership strategy for payment methods across our footprint in Africa markets including new and emerging markets as we expand.
Identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential partners including mobile network operators (MTN, Safaricom, Orange, Airtel e.t.c), banks, payment processors, and local fintech companies
Lead partnership negotiations and structure commercial and service level agreements that drive mutual growth and market expansion
Create partnership frameworks and templates that can be scaled across multiple markets and use cases


Product Integration & Management


Oversee end-to-end product integration for new payment partners, ensuring seamless technical implementation and optimal user experience
Collaborate with engineering teams to establish standardized API frameworks and integration processes for rapid partner onboarding
Manage product roadmap for partnership-driven features including payment routing optimization, settlement workflows, and reconciliation processes
Drive product requirements for partner-specific customizations while maintaining platform scalability


Business Development & Growth


Partner with business development teams to identify market entry opportunities and partnership-driven growth initiatives
Develop go-to-market strategies for new payment methods introduced through partnerships
Create joint value propositions and business cases for potential partners to accelerate deal closure
Establish performance metrics and success criteria for partnership initiatives including transaction volume, conversion rates, and revenue attribution


Stakeholder Management


Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners including C-level executives, product leaders, and their technical teams.
Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving legal, compliance, finance, and engineering teams
Present partnership performance and strategic updates to executive leadership as appropriate.
Manage partner communications including regular business reviews, product updates, and strategic planning sessions


Market Intelligence & Analysis


Conduct comprehensive market research on payment infrastructure, competitive landscape, and partnership opportunities across African markets
Analyze partnership performance data to identify optimization opportunities and inform strategic decisions.
Monitor regulatory developments and industry trends that impact partnership strategies
Gather market feedback from partners to inform product development and competitive positioning.


Experience and Qualifications

Experience & Background


5+ years of product management or business development experience in fintech, payments, or financial services
2+ years of experience managing strategic partnerships or business development in African markets
Proven track record of successfully negotiating and managing complex B2B partnerships
Experience working with payment service providers, mobile network operators, or financial institutions in Africa.


Partnership & Business Skills


Strong negotiation and deal structuring experience with ability to create win-win partnership agreements
Experience managing partner relationships and driving joint go-to-market initiatives
Understanding of partnership economics including revenue sharing models, technical integration costs, and mutual value creation
Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and manage complex stakeholder relationships


Technical & Product Skills


Deep understanding of payment processing, APIs, and financial infrastructure
Experience with technical partnership integrations and API management
Knowledge of African payment ecosystems including mobile money, banking rails, and digital payment platforms
Familiarity with compliance requirements including PCI DSS, KYC/AML, and local regulatory frameworks across Africa.


Strategic & Analytical Skills


Strong analytical skills with experience using data to evaluate partnership performance and opportunities
Ability to develop business cases and financial models for partnership initiatives
Experience with market research methodologies and competitive analysis
Understanding of B2B SaaS business models and growth metrics


Preferred Qualifications


MBA or advanced degree in business, engineering, or related field
Previous experience at high-growth fintech, payments, or B2B software company
Direct experience living or working in multiple African markets
Existing relationships with key players in African fintech and payments ecosystem
Knowledge of local languages and cultural nuances across target markets and their impact on product experiences.
Experience with partnership management platforms and CRM systems


Personal Attributes


Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to identify and pursue new business opportunities
Strong relationship-building skills with cultural sensitivity for diverse African markets
Results-driven approach with focus on measurable partnership outcomes
Excellent communication and presentation skills for senior-level stakeholder management
Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities


Key Performance Indicators


Number of new payment method partnerships established quarterly.
Partnership-driven transaction volume and revenue growth.
Time-to-market for new partner integrations.
Partner satisfaction scores and relationship health metrics.
Market share growth in targeted African markets.
Partnership ROI and contribution to overall business objectives.
Partnership success rates. more

Role Summary:

As a Software Engineer, you work in a team that owns the design, development, and operations for mission-critical applications of the payments business. You are responsible for developing applications using best practices.

Key Responsibilities:


Develop and maintain backend features and ensure existing systems run smoothly.
Collaborate with frontend and API engineers to... define and implement RESTful API specifications.
Build and deploy microservices using Java, Spring, and Spring Boot.
Write testable, efficient, and reusable code using test-driven development (TDD).
Participate in Sprint Planning, track work items, and deliver high-quality results.
Fix bugs promptly and approach complex problems methodically.
Contribute to architecture and code reviews to ensure scalable and performant solutions.
Prototype new ideas to refine feature definitions.
Ensure written code adheres to best practices, is scalable, and optimized for performance.


Educational Requirements, Skills, and Qualifications:


Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Software Engineering, Computer Science or related field
2+ years of experience in backend development, building scalable systems.
Proficiency in Java, Spring, and Spring Boot.
Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems.
Experience with cloud-native applications and deployment using CI/CD pipelines.
Familiarity with unit testing frameworks and automated functional testing.
Exposure to building multi-tenant applications and performance optimization is a plus.
Good interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with teams.
Autonomous, detail-oriented, and eager to take initiative.


Bonus Points:


Experience mentoring peers to enhance technical skills.
Prior exposure to Kubernetes, Docker, or other tools in the Cloud Native landscape. more

Role Overview:

We are seeking a Software Engineer: Front-End with a strong command of modern front-end technologies, excellent code review practices, and a passion for collaboration and mentorship. In this role, you will contribute to the delivery of high-quality user interfaces, provide technical leadership, and help elevate the performance of the engineering team through deep technical... contributions and peer support.

Key Responsibilities:

Code Quality & Technical Excellence


Review merge requests from peers with attention to detail, identifying:

Common mistakes early in the review process
Missing test scenarios
Deviations from coding standards
Inefficient queries, logic, or algorithms — and suggest better alternatives


Write clean, maintainable, and testable code to help the team meet sprint goals
Deliver tasks with minimal rework or back-and-forth during reviews
Drive the creation and adoption of reusable components and shared front-end libraries across teams
Conduct UI walkthroughs and demo sessions for project stakeholders


Collaboration & Cross-Functional Work


Collaborate with:

Product designers to translate Figma designs into performant, accessible UI components
Backend engineers to define APIs and ensure seamless user journeys


Actively participate in sprint ceremonies including:

Daily stand-ups
Sprint planning and backlog refinement
Retrospectives — contributing to continuous team improvement


Lead task refinements where you are the designated Tech Owner


Production & Operational Readiness


Own end-to-end debugging of production issues using tools such as:

Datadog for tracing HTTP requests
Logging and monitoring systems to identify root causes


Understand and leverage the team's CI/CD pipelines for efficient delivery
Identify and share relevant documentation with new or existing team members


Autonomy & Ownership


Work independently with little to no supervision
Demonstrate proactive behavior e.g., posting status updates, reviewing PRs, and following team processes without being prompted
Exhibit strong verbal and especially written communication skills for effective documentation and collaboration


Experience and Qualifications:

Technical Skills


Advanced knowledge of the team’s front-end tech stack (e.g., React, TypeScript, JavaScript, CSS-in-JS, etc.)
Strong understanding of modern state management, component design, and front-end testing frameworks
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and tools
Experience working with design systems and creating reusable UI components
Knowledge of backend integration and REST API consumption


Experience


3+ years of professional experience in front-end development
Proven track record of delivering high-quality front-end applications
Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical discussions


Soft Skills


Strong ownership mindset
Excellent collaboration, communication, and documentation skills
Ability to self-manage and deliver without close supervision more

Role Summary:


Provide 1st-level technical and customer support to ensure efficient and effective solution operation. Responsible for solution monitoring, troubleshooting, ticketing, communication, and adherence to established procedures.
Be the primary point of contact for all SLA customers, which involves continuously seeking solutions for current issues, proactively improving processes... and tools, and building technical capacity within the team to deliver on goals.
Lead and drive activities in the assigned support shift as guided by key processes to meet and maintain service levels, improve customer delight, and ensure consistent L1 customer support.


Key Responsibilities:


Incident management: Fast and accurate detection and resolution of system and application issues to meet customer SLA.
System and application maintenance in high-availability production environments.
Accurate ticketing for all issues while ensuring timely and proper communication to all stakeholders at all times.
Analyze recurring and intermittent system and application problems.
Timely escalation and follow through of support issues
Solution monitoring to aid in faster issue detection and diagnosis.
Knowledge management for the support team through the identification of knowledge gaps.
Contributing towards training and forums for team Knowledge sharing.


Reporting and Peers:


You will report to a Tech Support Manager.
Peers – Senior Engineers, support engineers and Service Desk Analyst


Experience and Qualifications:


At least 2 years’ experience working within a busy IT Service desk environment.
Proficiency in Linux, MySQL is mandatory.
Working knowledge of databases, networks and security standards and application development is a clear advantage.
Deep experience of common service desk and monitoring tools such as Nagios, Cacti, Newrelic, Zabbix or equivalent.
Experience with automated systems, scripting, software development disciplines like python, php, Puppet, Terraform, Ansible.
Ability to win in a highly collaborative environment.
Working knowledge of Information Service Management industry standards such as ISO 20000, ITILv3/4
BS in Computer Science or related industry/field or equivalent experience (IT, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Information Systems, telecommunications).
Certification ITIL v3/4 will be an added advantage.


How you will be measured:


Act as incident commander for all major service interruptions.
Well thought leadership in the assigned shift tasks.
Prompt detection of all support issues.
Quick and accurate troubleshooting and diagnosis of issues.
Timely ticket resolution and closure within SLA.
Adequate relevant knowledge in delivering service.
Accurate assignment and escalation of service issues.


Attributes we are looking for:


Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Problem solving skills.
Proficiency in a coding language
Ability to work under minimal supervision. more

Role Summary:



The Principal: Customer Success – Airlines is a senior leadership role responsible for owning and driving the success of Cellulant’s most strategic airline customers across Africa. This is not a traditional account management role, it is a strategic partnership position that blends deep industry expertise, commercial acumen, and operational excellence to deliver measurable... business outcomes for both the customer and Cellulant. In this role, you will act as the trusted advisor for airline partners, ensuring they fully leverage Cellulant’s payment ecosystem to streamline operations, optimize revenue collection, and enhance passenger experiences. You will lead the end-to-end customer lifecycle - from onboarding and integration to long-term expansion and renewal - while ensuring airline clients see tangible ROI at every stage.



Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Airline Partnership Management


Serve as the primary relationship owner for a portfolio of strategic airline partners across multiple countries, ensuring alignment between airline business objectives and Cellulant’s solutions.
Lead annual, semi-annual, and quarterly business reviews with airline executives, presenting account performance, ROI analysis, market insights, and opportunities for innovation.
Design and execute tailored success plans for each airline, mapping Cellulant capabilities to their operational needs in areas such as ticket sales, settlements, refunds, ancillary services, and loyalty programs.
Build and maintain multi-level relationships within client organizations from operational managers to C-suite, ensuring high visibility and trust at all levels.
Partner with airlines’ commercial and finance teams to align product adoption with seasonal trends, route expansions, and regulatory changes


Customer Lifecycle Ownership & Value Delivery


Oversee the entire customer journey for airline clients: onboarding, adoption, renewal, expansion—ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience at every stage.
Create onboarding frameworks specific to airlines, covering integrations with GDS (Global Distribution Systems), ERP systems, and payment gateways.
Continuously monitor account health metrics, product usage, SLA adherence, and payment settlement cycles, to identify both opportunities for upsell and early warning signs of churn.
Implement proactive account engagement cadences to prevent reactive firefighting and ensure customers are realizing measurable business outcomes from Cellulant’s services.
Track and report KPIs (CSAT, NPS, Retention, Expansion) to internal leadership, highlighting risks, successes, and trends.


Industry-Specific Insights & Thought Leadership


Stay ahead of aviation and airline industry trends, including IATA regulations, payment innovations, and regional travel market dynamics.
Translate these insights into actionable recommendations for both customers and internal teams, ensuring Cellulant remains a trusted partner in an evolving market.
Represent Cellulant at industry events, forums, and working groups, strengthening the company’s position as a payment leader in the airline sector.
Produce quarterly airline sector intelligence briefs for internal teams, ensuring go-to-market strategies and product roadmaps align with customer needs.


Cross-Functional Collaboration & Product Alignment


Work closely with Product, Engineering, Operations, and Finance to ensure customer requirements are built into development cycles and operational processes.
Translate customer feedback into clear product requirements with measurable business value, ensuring enhancements address real-world airline challenges.
Drive issue resolution frameworks for critical airline incidents, coordinating internal resources for rapid resolution while maintaining strong client communication.
Participate in solution design workshops to ensure new features or integrations meet the specific needs of airline workflows.


Process Excellence & Scalability


Develop and maintain airline-specific playbooks for onboarding, escalation management, and periodic reviews, ensuring scalability across multiple markets.
Standardize reporting templates for airline account health, enabling faster internal decision-making and strategic planning.
Build customer advocacy programs for airline partners, turning satisfied clients into public case studies and reference accounts.
Continuously review internal CS processes for efficiency: introducing automation, self-service tools, and improved documentation where applicable.


Team Leadership, Coaching & Enablement


Mentor and coach Customer Success Managers and Account Executives working on airline accounts, building deep industry knowledge and account management skills.
Lead internal training sessions on airline industry nuances, payment flows, and partnership models to upskill cross-functional teams.
Serve as the escalation point for airline accounts, ensuring swift resolution of high-impact issues while protecting the client relationship.
Foster a culture of customer-first thinking within the CS team, emphasizing proactive engagement and measurable value delivery.


Executive Reporting & Advocacy


Prepare board-level summaries for Cellulant leadership on airline account performance, revenue growth, and expansion opportunities.
Advocate internally for resources, product improvements, and strategic initiatives that enhance the airline customer experience.
Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to co-create success stories, whitepapers, and thought leadership content showcasing Cellulant’s airline sector impact.


What You Bring:


Deep Airline Industry Insight: You understand the unique revenue streams, operational flows, and constraints (e.g. ticketing, reconciliation, loyalty programs) faced by airlines.
Fintech & Payments DNA: You know how airlines integrate with technology platforms—from settlement flows to ticket reconciliation and data analytics.
Executive Presence: You can engage airline leadership with credibility: navigating operational jargon and strategic goals.
Strategic & Commercial Mindset: You spot value creation cycles: helping airlines grow while advancing Cellulant’s footprint.
Leader & Teacher: You’ve developed talent, driving performance improvements across teams.


Core Metrics of Success (KPIs):


Airline Retention Rate: Aim for 95%+ retention across strategic airline accounts.
Customer Satisfaction (CSAT): Target 85%+ consistently among airline partners.
Onboarding Success Rate: Achieve 95% of new integrations completing within 30 days.
Net Promoter Score (NPS): Strive for 70+ from airlines.
Revenue Expansion: Drive 15%+ upsell or cross-sell within airline accounts.
Product Adoption & SLA Adherence: Ensure high usage of core features, with timely issue resolution. more

JOB DESCRIPTION:


Role Summary: As a Senior Specialist: Compliance at Cellulant, you are a critical member of the Compliance team within the Risk and Compliance division of the company. You will support the team and the company at large to ensure Compliance with relevant laws, regulations including AML/CFT.
Senior Specialist : Compliance will support the Compliance lead to implement and... maintain a robust compliance program across the company.


Key Responsibilities:


Stay abreast of relevant laws and regulations, as well as internal policies and communicate changes to the Business.
Conduct Compliance monitoring of the Business and assess the level of Compliance with extant laws and regulations.
Collaborate with other stakeholders to track instances of non-compliance and ensure remedial actions are implemented accordingly.
Support the team in coordinating regulatory audits and ensure prompt closure of observations / findings.
Conduct AML/CFT Risk assessment of the Business, it’s products and services, as well as customers.
Support the team to draft, update relevant AML/CFT policies, procedures and control documents that are tailored to current business activities of Cellulant.
Ensure AML/CFT-related regulatory reports and returns are submitted to relevant authorities within the stipulated timelines.
Conduct due diligence reviews including enhanced review on customers, partners.
Detect customers / partners that fall outside Cellulant’s risk appetite and derisk them accordingly.
Carryout ongoing transaction monitoring to identify suspicious transactions.
Report suspicious activities or transactions to relevant authorities.
Conduct ongoing transaction filtering and screening.
Develop AML/CFT training plan for members of Staff.
Collaborate with HR to ensure members of Staff are adequately trained on Compliance and AML/CFT requirements.
Develop Compliance awareness newsletters, nuggets to be circulated to members of Staff in periodic basis.
Oversee the risk-based periodic reviews of existing customers.
Review and investigate incidents reported or escalated to the Compliance team - including whistleblower reports, code of conduct, Conflict of Interest, etc.
Support the Compliance lead in implementing a robust anti-bribery and Corruption program.
Introduce initiatives that could simplify existing process and procedures including the use of automation, AI.
Support the implementation of AML/CFT control tools.
Collaborate with the Product and Technology team to ensure AML/CFT tools are working optimally by conducting periodic quality checks and escalating anomalies.
Continuously strive to optimize ROI on investments in AML/CFT tools.
Carryout Compliance assessment of new products / services and updates to existing products / services.
Provide advisory services to the Business in Compliance matters.
Maintain, update the Company’s internal watchlist / blacklist and communicate updates to relevant stakeholders.
Promptly Respond to due diligence requests from business partners or bankers.
Carryout any other exercise that may be assigned to you by your supervisor.
Support the Compliance lead to prepare periodic Management Information reports.


Educational and Experience Requirements:


A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Risk Management, or any other relevant field of study.
Member of relevant professional bodies (such as ACCA, CIN, ACFE, ACAMS, ACA, etc).
A master's degree or Professional Certifications such as DCP, CAFCA, ICA, CAMS is an advantage.
Knowledge of fundamental Banking products and services, including operational processes.
Significant experience of Payment Services in major African Markets - including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, etc.
In Depth knowledge of AML/CFT regulations and requirements as it relates to Payment Services, Remittance and digital financial services.
2-6 years of experience in customer due diligence reviews and approvals including enhanced due diligence for high-risk customers such as Remittance companies, PEPs, companies with complex structure, virtual assets or VASPs, Forex companies, etc.
2-6 years’ experience in conduct investigation of incidents especially red flags for AML/CFT risks.
Demonstrate experience in drafting policies and procedures.
Ability to conduct research and interpret regulatory provisions.
Demonstrate ability to use work tools such as Google sheets, slides, notes, Excel, Powerpoint.


Experience that will count in your favor:


Experience working in a FinTech, insurance or financial institution.
Strong business acumen
Integrity, Good Judgement, Team Player


Nice to have experience:


Excellent Communication Skills
Excellent Interpersonal skills
Ability to handle tasks at a given time
Problem solving


Skills:


Presentation skills, Interpersonal skills, and Analytical skills


Personal attributes


Integrity, Good Judgement, Team Player more

Role Overview:

As a Principal: Legal, you will work closely with the Senior Manager, Legal or Head of Legal, helping build a strong compliance culture across the business. You’ll serve as a key partner to the business, ensuring our teams understand the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern our operations: locally, regionally, and internationally.

This role isn’t just about legal... advice: it’s about helping the business anticipate change, assess risk, and act confidently. You’ll work across departments and jurisdictions, providing legal support that enables bold but responsible growth.

Key Responsibilities:


Understand and advise the business on applicable laws, regulations, and standards across all jurisdictions where Cellulant operates.
Interpret laws and help the business design programs that ensure compliance.
Support and implement legal and compliance processes including drafting, negotiating, and reviewing commercial agreements.
Review and advise on licensing, approvals, and registrations required to operate legally in different markets.
Represent the business in commercial disputes, including court proceedings or alternative dispute resolution forums.
Educate staff and leadership on the impact of legal and regulatory requirements.
Analyze emerging laws and regulations to identify both risk and opportunity for the business.
Collaborate with the Head of Legal to build effective compliance frameworks.
Maintain active relationships with regulators and legal authorities at local, national, and regional levels.
Provide legal guidance on employment and other operational matters as needed.


What You’ll Need to Succeed

Must-Have Experience


A bachelor’s degree in Law with at least 6 years of relevant work experience.
Strong legal judgment and the ability to recommend practical solutions.
Ability to handle complex legal issues across management and operational levels.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Business awareness and sound leadership capabilities.


Experience That Will Count in Your Favor


Prior experience in FinTech, insurance, or a financial services institution.
Strong business acumen and comfort working in a commercial environment.


Nice to Have


Cross-border legal experience.
Compliance certifications such as CIPP or CAMS.


Qualifications


Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, with at least 3 years in a senior role.
Deep understanding of fintech regulations, including payments, crypto, and lending.
Proven ability to build legal strategies that support business growth.
Skilled in negotiation and contract drafting.
Demonstrated experience aligning legal frameworks with strategic business goals.


Skills:


Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability
Strong written and verbal communication
Project management and organizational skills
Legal research proficiency
Attention to detail and ability to work under pressure
Sound judgment and confident decision-making


Personal Attributes


High integrity and confidentiality
Strategic and proactive thinker
Strong resilience under pressure
Ethical, principled, and dependable
Committed to continuous learning and growth more

Role Summary: 

As a Senior Specialist: Compliance at Cellulant, you are a critical member of the Compliance team within the Risk and Compliance division of the company. You will support the team and the company at large to ensure Compliance with relevant laws, regulations including AML/CFT.

Senior Specialist : Compliance will support the Compliance lead to implement and maintain a robust... compliance program across the company.

Key Responsibilities:


Stay abreast of relevant laws and regulations, as well as internal policies and communicate changes to the Business.
Conduct Compliance monitoring of the Business and assess the level of Compliance with extant laws and regulations.
Collaborate with other stakeholders to track instances of non-compliance and ensure remedial actions are implemented accordingly.
Support the team in coordinating regulatory audits and ensure prompt closure of observations / findings.
Conduct AML/CFT Risk assessment of the Business, it’s products and services, as well as customers.
Support the team to draft, update relevant AML/CFT policies, procedures and control documents that are tailored to current business activities of Cellulant.
Ensure AML/CFT-related regulatory reports and returns are submitted to relevant authorities within the stipulated timelines.
Conduct due diligence reviews including enhanced review on customers, partners.
Detect customers / partners that fall outside Cellulant’s risk appetite and derisk them accordingly.
Carryout ongoing transaction monitoring to identify suspicious transactions.
Report suspicious activities or transactions to relevant authorities.
Conduct ongoing transaction filtering and screening.
Develop AML/CFT training plan for members of Staff.
Collaborate with HR to ensure members of Staff are adequately trained on Compliance and AML/CFT requirements.
Develop Compliance awareness newsletters, nuggets to be circulated to members of Staff in periodic basis.
Oversee the risk-based periodic reviews of existing customers.
Review and investigate incidents reported or escalated to the Compliance team - including whistleblower reports, code of conduct, Conflict of Interest, etc.
Support the Compliance lead in implementing a robust anti-bribery and Corruption program.
Introduce initiatives that could simplify existing process and procedures including the use of automation, AI.
Support the implementation of AML/CFT control tools.
Collaborate with the Product and Technology team to ensure AML/CFT tools are working optimally by conducting periodic quality checks and escalating anomalies.
Continuously strive to optimize ROI on investments in AML/CFT tools.
Carryout Compliance assessment of new products / services and updates to existing products / services.
Provide advisory services to the Business in Compliance matters.
Maintain, update the Company’s internal watchlist / blacklist and communicate updates to relevant stakeholders.
Promptly Respond to due diligence requests from business partners or bankers.
Carryout any other exercise that may be assigned to you by your supervisor.
Support the Compliance lead to prepare periodic Management Information reports.


Educational and Experience Requirements:


A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Risk Management, or any other relevant field of study.
Member of relevant professional bodies (such as ACCA, CIN, ACFE, ACAMS, ACA, etc).
A master's degree or Professional Certifications such as DCP, CAFCA, ICA, CAMS is an advantage.
Knowledge of fundamental Banking products and services, including operational processes.
Significant experience of Payment Services in major African Markets - including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, etc.
In Depth knowledge of AML/CFT regulations and requirements as it relates to Payment Services, Remittance and digital financial services.
2-6 years of experience in customer due diligence reviews and approvals including enhanced due diligence for high-risk customers such as Remittance companies, PEPs, companies with complex structure, virtual assets or VASPs, Forex companies, etc.
2-6 years’ experience in conduct investigation of incidents especially red flags for AML/CFT risks.
Demonstrate experience in drafting policies and procedures.
Ability to conduct research and interpret regulatory provisions.
Demonstrate ability to use work tools such as Google sheets, slides, notes, Excel, Powerpoint.


Experience that will count in your favor:


Experience working in a FinTech, insurance or financial institution.
Strong business acumen
Integrity, Good Judgement, Team Player


Nice to have experience:


Excellent Communication Skills
Excellent Interpersonal skills
Ability to handle tasks at a given time
Problem solving


Skills:


Presentation skills, Interpersonal skills, and Analytical skills


Personal attributes


Integrity, Good Judgement, Team Player more

Role Overview


As Head of Merchant Operations, you will lead a core function responsible for the end-to-end operational experience of Cellulant’s merchant customers — from onboarding and activation to daily transaction processing, payouts, and reconciliation.
You will oversee a team that ensures operational excellence in how merchants are brought onto the platform and how they are supported... throughout their lifecycle. This role sits at the intersection of operations, product, compliance, and customer success, with a strong mandate to scale and automate mission-critical processes that directly impact our merchants’ experience and trust in Cellulant.
This role reports to the Vice President: Business Operations.


Key Responsibilities

Functional Leadership


Lead the Merchant Onboarding & Activation and Merchant Production Operations teams, covering go-live readiness, daily transaction monitoring, and payouts.
Build and scale standardized onboarding processes across markets to ensure seamless merchant experiences from integration to activation.
Oversee daily production support for live merchants — ensuring service reliability, real-time responsiveness to issues, and proactive performance monitoring.


Operational Excellence & Automation


Own payment reconciliation, settlement, and float management processes across all payment rails (mobile money, bank transfers, card schemes).
Drive automation and process optimization across onboarding, reconciliation, and payout functions.
Ensure accurate and timely settlements for merchant accounts, including USD payouts aggregated across multiple local currencies.


Performance, Risk & Controls


Set and track performance KPIs (e.g., onboarding turnaround time, payout SLA adherence, reconciliation success rate, merchant NPS).
Establish operational controls to manage risk, including RCSAs, segregation of duties, and audit readiness.
Act as the first line of defense for risk — ensuring all operational activities meet compliance and regulatory expectations.


Collaboration & Integration


Work cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, Treasury, Compliance, and Customer Success to integrate operational readiness into new product launches and platform changes.
Champion the role of Merchant Operations internally — ensuring the function is recognized as a strategic enabler of growth and customer satisfaction.


Governance & SLA Management


Manage service-level agreements (SLAs) with internal teams and third-party partners, ensuring transparency, accountability, and performance delivery.
Support internal and regulatory audits by maintaining full compliance documentation and process integrity.


Key Success Measures


Merchant onboarding turnaround time (TAT)
Merchant satisfaction score (NPS/CSAT)
% SLA adherence for payouts and reconciliations
% of processes automated vs. manual
Number of issues resolved within defined resolution timeframes
First pass reconciliation accuracy
Operational audit ratings


Must-Have Experience


7–10 years leading high-performing operational teams in a fintech, payments company, or bank.
Demonstrated success in scaling operational processes, including onboarding, payouts, reconciliation, and partner support.
Hands-on experience operating in high-growth, fast-changing environments with ambiguity and complexity.
Deep understanding of merchant lifecycle operations, including KYC, transaction flows, and settlements.


Strongly Preferred


Experience working with payment service providers, aggregators, or banking partners across Africa.
Background in managing first-line operational risk and regulatory compliance.
Familiarity with automation tools and process mapping frameworks (e.g., Lean Six Sigma)
Ability to collaborate deeply with technical teams on system changes, integrations, and platform enhancements.


Education & Certifications


Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field.
Relevant professional certifications in payments, operations, or financial risk (e.g., CPP, CTP, Lean Six Sigma) are a strong plus.
MBA or equivalent advanced degree is desirable but not mandatory. more

Role Summary:

 This role is responsible for identifying, measuring, managing, and reporting both financial (including Credit and Market) and non-financial (Operational) risks. This involves devising and implementing risk mitigation strategies in collaboration with line management and ensuring follow-up for effectiveness. Coordination across all departments and business units is vital to embed... an integrated risk management process throughout the organisation.



Key Responsibilities:


Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Establish a robust ERM framework, including risk analysis, reporting, and culture embedding. Develop and implement the organisation's risk appetite and tolerance, ensuring adherence in all operations. Set up a robust risk governance framework to ensure thorough oversight and control over Cellulant's risk exposure. Review and update risk policies, tolerances, and appetites in line with business needs and in alignment with oversight requirements of Board and Risk Committee
Operational Risk Management: Support the documentation and assessment of risks and controls across the company, coordinating the monitoring and reporting of key risk indicators. Maintain risk events and issue logs, and drive improvement actions based on internal and external feedback. Lead risk mitigation strategies that leverage digital solutions and are scalable as the organisation expands.
Credit Risk Management: Drive the development and implementation of credit risk policies/ frameworks required for the monitoring and management of credit exposure, assessment of creditworthiness for partnerships and customer transactions.
Market Risk Management: Guide the organisation in understanding and mitigating market, liquidity, and country risks. Ensure compliance with risk appetite and proactively address risks in new product introductions.
Strategic, Reputational Risk, AMP (Assessment, Mitigation & Performance) and Ethics: Set and enforce standards and procedures that manage stakeholder expectations and company reputation, ensuring performance alignment with these standards.
Risk Culture and Awareness - Drive initiatives that instill a risk-aware culture, fostering accountability and ownership of risk management across all levels of the organisation. Conduct regular training sessions and awareness programs, ensuring all teams understand and proactively manage risks associated with their functions.
Reporting - Develop comprehensive reporting, provide Group Head of Risk, Group Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, CEO Board Risk Committee and Board with regular, actionable reports on risk exposures, mitigation efforts, and emerging trends. Oversee the creation of real-time risk dashboards to enhance visibility and monitoring of critical KRIs and risk trends.
Technology Risk Management and Data Protection - Identify, assess, mitigate, and monitor IT-related risks, such as cybersecurity threats, system failures, data breaches, and compliance violations. In addition, prevent or reduce the adverse effects of these risks on the operations, financial performance, and business reputation. Support initiatives to protect against data breaches and cybersecurity risks, collaborating closely with Information Security and IT to implement safeguards


Educational and Experience Requirements:


At least 8 years relevant experience within Risk and Assurance roles ideally within reputable financial services or the payments industry. Experience should include:
Familiarity with risk management international best practice and frameworks (COSO, COBIT, NIST, ISO, etc)
Familiarity with the African fintech landscape, including credit, market, and operational, etc risk specific to emerging markets.


Experience that will count in your favor:


Internal Controls, Audit, Data Protection, ISO Certification, Business Continuity, Operational Risk, Technology Risk


Nice to have experience:


People and Knowledge Management





Qualification:


A Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, technology, law or any other relevant field, certifications in risk management.


Skills:


Presentation/reporting skills, Interpersonal skill and Analytical skills; communication of complex risk management information to internal teams, management teams, Boards and other relevant stakeholders; collaborative approach to fostering risk culture.





Personal attributes:


Credibility
Openness
Strategic thinker
Ability to balance growth and risk more