Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Associate

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A HEAD OF LEGAL, REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE – FINANCIAL SERVICES, WEST AFRICA, TO JOIN OUR LEGAL GROUP, AS WE SCALE UP AND DRIVE DIGITAL AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION ACROSS OUR MARKETS. JOB PURPOSE To provide group-wide leadership on financial services regulatory strategy and external affairs in West Africa, ensuring M-KOPA obtains and maintains required licences and meets supervisory expectations, while overseeing West Africa regulatory engagement and compliance execution. KEY JOB FUNCTIONS * Own and drive M-KOPA’s group-wide financial services regulatory strategy, providing senior leadership on regulatory risk, supervisory expectations, regulatory engagement, and governance requirements across all markets. * Lead regulatory approvals and ongoing supervisory engagement for key licences and regulated activities, including the Digital Credit Service Provider (DCSP) licence in Ghana, financial services licenses in Nigeria, and other relevant licensing/authorisation processes (e.g., MFI licensing, payments, lending, consumer finance). * Monitor changes in financial services regulation and supervisory priorities, assess impact on M-KOPA’s business model, and translate requirements into actionable guidance, controls, and governance enhancements to manage enforcement and conduct risk. * Partner with Product, Credit, Operations, Risk, and Legal to embed “regulatory-by-design” into new product development and market expansion, including advising on licensing scope, disclosures, customer outcomes, and regulator expectations. * Set the regulatory compliance tone for financial services, driving training and awareness programmes and strengthening first-line ownership of regulatory obligations across markets. * Provide senior support on regulatory reporting, assurance, and due diligence requirements, including engagement with investors, auditors, and development finance partners on financial services regulatory matters. * Lead external affairs for financial services regulation, representing M-KOPA in industry bodies, regulatory consultations, and policy discussions; and drive senior-level regulatory engagement strategy for West Africa (Nigeria and Ghana). * Develop, maintain, and oversee the implementation of financial services compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory playbooks, including an appropriate review cycle aligned to supervisory frameworks. * Partner with Risk, Internal Audit, Legal, Data Protection, and Operations to design and test regulatory controls, track remediation, and provide confidence in the effectiveness of the compliance framework for regulated activities. * Oversee responses to regulatory inquiries, examinations, and information requests; ensure timely, accurate high-stakes submissions and position papers; and provide escalation and direction to in-country compliance leads on regulatory filings and inspections. * Build and maintain strong relationships with regulators and key external stakeholders, ensuring appropriate regulator accessibility, effective communication, and proactive management of supervisory expectations. * Work flexibly and collaboratively across all teams in the organisation to ensure the greatest impact and effectiveness of the Compliance Team’s day-to-day work * Undertake all other reasonable and related tasks associated with this role.   REPORTING STRUCTURE This role reports to the Director of Compliance EXPERIENCE/ SKILLS & COMPETENCIES/ LICENCES & CERTIFICATIONS/ EDUCATION REQUIRED * 8+ years’ experience in financial services compliance, regulatory affairs, or in-house legal/regulatory roles within a regulated environment (digital credit, lending, payments, consumer finance, fintech, or banking). * Demonstrated experience leading licensing/authorisation processes and managing ongoing supervisory engagement, examinations, and regulatory reporting. * Strong knowledge of financial services regulatory frameworks and conduct risk, including consumer protection, AML/CFT, and (where applicable) data protection. * Proven ability to engage credibly with regulators, investors, auditors, and senior internal stakeholders, translating requirements into pragmatic, implementable controls. * Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; strong policy drafting, regulatory writing, and attention to detail. * Bachelor’s degree in Law, Compliance, Finance, Business, or a related field; a relevant professional qualification (e.g., bar admission, CAMS/ICA, or similar) is an advantage. * Strong planning and execution skills, with the ability to operate strategically while driving delivery through country teams. WHY M-KOPA? At M-KOPA, we empower our people to own their careers through diverse development programs, coaching partnerships, and on-the-job training. We support individual journeys with family-friendly policies, prioritize well-being, and embrace flexibility. Join us in shaping the future of M-KOPA as we grow together. Explore more at m-kopa.com. Recognized four times by the Financial Times as one Africa's fastest growing companies (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026) and by TIME100 Most influential companies in the world 2023 and 2024 , we've served over 7 million customers, unlocking $1.5 billion in cumulative credit for the unbanked across Africa. Important Notice M-KOPA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained staff. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. M-KOPA explicitly prohibits the use of Forced or Child Labour and respects the rights of its employees to agree to terms and conditions of employment voluntarily, without coercion, and freely terminate their employment on appropriate notice. M-KOPA shall ensure that its Employees are of legal working age and shall comply with local laws for youth employment or student work, such as internships or apprenticeships.  M-KOPA does not collect/charge any money as a pre-employment or post-employment requirement. This means that we never ask for ‘recruitment fees’, ‘processing fees’, ‘interview fees’, or any other kind of money in exchange for offer letters or interviews at any time during the hiring process. Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisting and interviews will take place at any stage during the recruitment process. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is selected before the advertised closing date. If your application is successful M-KOPA undertakes pre-employment background checks as part of its recruitment process, these include; criminal records, identification verification, academic qualifications, employment dates and employer references.

I. MAJOR FUNCTIONS: The Member Engagement Manager for Hawaii is responsible, under the direction of the Director of Membership & Communications, for developing and implementing strategies to recruit, retain, and engage NASW members across the state, while collaborating closely with the Member Engagement Manager for California to ensure alignment and shared best practices within the dual-chapter model. This role supports the successful implementation of the chapter's membership program, professional development offerings, and grassroots advocacy services. The Member Engagement Manager ensures that members in California are actively engaged in the chapter's advocacy and capacity-building initiatives and that their needs are reflected in programming and outreach efforts.   II. BASIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   A. Membership Recruitment and Retention (30%) * Collaborates with the Director of Membership & Communications to develop and implement chapter strategies and programs for membership recruitment and retention across California. * Helps lead the design and execution of member recruitment and retention strategies at NASW and non-NASW events, including university partnerships, employer engagements, and community-based activities. * Identifies and staffs opportunities to showcase NASW benefits and recruit new audiences at statewide conferences, local grassroots activities, and community events. * Conducts or facilitates new member calls and provides proactive outreach to suspended or lapsed members to encourage reinstatement.   B. Membership Development & Engagement (40%) * Provides and facilitates presentations and trainings on licensure, the NASW Code of Ethics, careers in social work, resume building, and other professional development offerings to support social workers in their practice. * Supports members by providing clarity and guidance on case consultations, ethics consultations, community-based resources, and professional development opportunities, routing advocacy inquiries to appropriate chapter staff as needed. * Provides ongoing support to chapter volunteer leaders, chapters, and special interest councils to ensure relevant programming across the state, raising their capacity to act as ambassadors for NASW through member engagement. * Attends virtual and in-person events as needed to foster connections and gather member feedback.   C. Grassroots Advocacy Support (20%) * Works closely with the Policy team (Policy Manager and Senior Legislative Affairs Manager) to organize members and the broader constituency in advocacy initiatives. * Engages members on local and state-level advocacy actions, ensuring they are apprised of relevant legislative and regulatory developments. * Collaborates with the Marketing & Communications Manager to ensure accuracy of advocacy-related resources for legislative staff, public leaders, members, and community partners.   D. Cross-Chapter Collaboration (10%) * Collaborates regularly with the Member Engagement Manager for Hawaii to share resources, coordinate on cross-chapter initiatives, and ensure a consistent and seamless member experience across both states. * Participates in joint planning meetings and contributes to the development of engagement strategies that benefit the dual-chapter structure.   E. General Responsibilities * Assists with major chapter-level events such as the annual conference, awards ceremony, and Legislative Lobby Days as needed. * Coordinates with the national NASW office on membership recruitment and retention activities, attending and contributing to national-level meetings to learn about organizational updates. * Provides supervision as a field instructor to macro social work students placed at or through NASW whenever deemed appropriate. * Maintains familiarity with all NASW benefits, services, and resources at both the national and state chapter levels, incorporating these into member support and engagement strategies. * Conducts ongoing research on new and emerging strategies for association member recruitment and retention in collaboration with the Director of Membership & Communications. * Represents NASW in a manner that is responsive, professional, respectful, knowledgeable, and appreciative of members, nonmembers, staff, volunteers, interns, and the community at large. * Responds to member questions and calls within 24 to 48 hours, demonstrating enthusiasm and a commitment to high standards in all customer service interactions. * Consistently maintains a high level of knowledge and expertise about Hawaii social work licensing and general inquiries about NASW and the social work field. * Performs other related duties as assigned by the Director of Membership & Communications.   III. MINIMUM WORK REQUIREMENTS:   Skills: * Knowledge of and/or experience with professional membership associations and the social work profession. * Exemplary verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to facilitate presentations and trainings. * Proven ability to successfully manage multiple projects with multifaceted requirements, details, and deadlines involving a variety of team members. * Proven ability to analyze and resolve problems quickly and efficiently with limited resources. * Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with constituents, community partners, and other stakeholders. * Ability to work both independently and as a collaborative team member within the dual-chapter structure, as well as with NASW national and other state associates. * Enthusiastic about bringing people together and helping them be their best. * Values listening to and honoring the wisdom of people on-the-ground and developing strategies grounded in their lived experience. * Ability to give and receive constructive feedback; displays a desire for continuous learning and self-improvement. * Ability to travel within California and occasionally to Hawaii for cross-chapter meetings or events.   Knowledge: * Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) or a related field, or equivalent work and lived experience. Newly graduated social workers are welcomed and encouraged to apply. * Knowledge of social work licensing requirements and continuing education regulations, particularly for Hawaii. * Familiarity with advocacy and legislative processes affecting the social work profession is a plus.   Experience: * Minimum of one (1) year developing and managing programs in the health and human services field. * Ability to analyze program trends and metrics to inform strategic planning and meet engagement goals. * Experience with membership organizations or volunteer management is strongly preferred.   IV. ATTRIBUTES * Results driven: This individual sees the big picture, assists with the development and monitoring of key performance metrics to produce the desired results. * Strong business acumen: This individual sees opportunities and emerging trends, and is knowledgeable about the operations, unique needs, and goals specific to member-driven, not-for-profit organizations. * Firm and fair leadership: This individual will work with a wide range of staff, colleagues, and members, requiring a firm, fair, and flexible style that both complements the efforts and supports the needs of others. * Partnership: This individual is able to build trust internally and externally and must be viewed as highly professional, discreet, and accountable. * Organizational agility: This individual has a thoughtful, respectful communication style that fosters an open environment, enabling thought-provoking discussions and collaborative decision making. * Perceptive: This individual is creative and intuitively recognizes opportunities and takes appropriate action.