Sanctions Officer / Sanctions Legal Counsel at Gunvor Group in Singapore

Job description

• Gunvor Group is one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy from where it is sourced and stored to where it is demanded most. With strategic investments in industrial infrastructure—refineries, pipelines, storage, and terminals—Gunvor further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers. Gunvor, founded in 2000, generated US
• $135 billion in revenues on volumes of 240 million MT in 2021. The company remains on track to meet its goal of cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions 40% by 2025.
• Gunvor has more than 1,500 employees and it maintains offices in Singapore, Amsterdam, Beijing, Dubai, Geneva, Houston, London, Shanghai, and Tallinn with new offices planned in strategically relevant markets.
• We are seeking a highly motivated Sanctions Officer / Sanctions Legal Counsel to join our global Sanctions team. Reporting to the Global Head of Sanctions, the successful candidate will provide legal and sanctions compliance support on matters across the Asia-Pacific region, acting as a key adviser to commercial stakeholders and helping ensure the effective implementation of Gunvor's sanctions compliance framework. The role combines advisory, operational and assurance responsibilities and offers exposure to a broad range of international trade, energy and shipping matters.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary sanctions point of contact for Asia-Pacific business activities and provide practical, risk-based advice to commercial and support functions on US, UK, EU sanctions compliance matters as well as Asia-Pacific regulatory frameworks.
• Conduct sanctions reviews of transactions, counterparties, vessels screening and ownership structures, including complex cross-border matters for Gunvor's Asia-Pacific operations.
• Manage sanctions due diligence, KYC escalations and sanctions-related counterparty questionnaires for Gunvor's Asia-Pacific operations.
• Perform and oversee vessel screening activities for Gunvor's Asia-Pacific operations.
• Support traders, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and trade finance teams on sanctions risks relating to transactions, tenders and commercial opportunities for Gunvor's Asia-Pacific operations.
• Monitor sanctions and related regulatory developments affecting Asia-Pacific markets and prepare practical guidance for business stakeholders.
• Lead or contribute to sanctions risk assessments, compliance reviews, control testing and internal assurance initiatives.
• Deliver sanctions training and awareness programmes to commercial and support teams.
• Support the ongoing enhancement of sanctions controls, policies, procedures and governance frameworks.
• Perform other ad-hoc duties assigned by manager

Requirements

• Law degree strongly preferred.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in sanctions law, sanctions compliance or international trade compliance.
• Experience within commodities trading, energy, shipping, or another relevant internationally exposed industry is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of US, EU and UK sanctions regimes. Experience with sanctions (countersanctions) of China and relevant Asia-Pacific regulatory frameworks would be particularly valuable.
• Experience conducting sanctions risk assessments, compliance reviews, control testing or audit-related activities is preferred.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical business guidance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
• High level of professional judgment, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced commercial environment.

Skills

Required

• Strong analytical capabilities
• High level of professional judgment
• Attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Sanctions law
• Sanctions compliance
• International trade compliance
• KYC
• Vessel screening
• Risk assessments
• Compliance reviews
• Control testing