In an era of increasing geopolitical tension and complex international relations, the regulatory landscape for global sanctions has become a critical area of focus for businesses worldwide. Failure to comply with these intricate regulations can lead to severe penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruption. This training course is meticulously designed to provide professionals with a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of sanctions regimes and compliance best practices, empowering them to build robust programs that protect their organizations from financial and legal exposure in an ever-changing environment.

This five-day intensive program offers a deep dive into the practical application of sanctions and regulatory compliance. You will learn to identify key sanctions risks, implement effective screening processes, and develop a resilient compliance culture. By mastering the legal frameworks and operational challenges of sanctions enforcement, participants will be able to proactively mitigate risk, ensure ethical business conduct, and confidently navigate the complexities of global trade. The course will equip you with the strategic skills needed to safeguard your organization's integrity and long-term sustainability.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

• Compliance Officers and Managers
• Legal Counsel and Attorneys specializing in trade law
• Risk Managers and Analysts
• Financial Crime and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Professionals
• Heads of Trade and Export Compliance
• Senior Executives and Directors with regulatory oversight
• Internal and External Auditors
• Supply Chain and Procurement Managers
• Business Development and Sales Executives in international markets
• Consultants specializing in regulatory compliance

Objectives:

• Grasp the foundational concepts of international sanctions regimes
• Identify and assess sanctions-related risks within an organization
• Develop and implement a robust sanctions compliance program
• Master the process of transaction screening and due diligence
• Understand the legal and regulatory frameworks of key sanctions authorities
• Prepare for and respond to sanctions-related audits and enforcement actions
• Mitigate risk in international trade and cross-border transactions
• Stay current with evolving sanctions policies and regulatory changes
• Foster a strong culture of compliance and ethical conduct

Course Modules:

Module 1: Foundations of Global Sanctions

• An overview of the history and purpose of international sanctions
• The different types of sanctions (comprehensive, sectoral, targeted)
• The key sanctions authorities (OFAC, UN, EU, etc.) and their jurisdictions
• The legal basis for sanctions and their extraterritorial reach
• Understanding the penalties for non-compliance

Module 2: Sanctions Risk Assessment

• Conducting a comprehensive sanctions risk assessment
• Identifying high-risk jurisdictions, customers, and business activities
• Analyzing the role of third parties and intermediaries in sanctions risk
• Using risk matrices and scoring models to prioritize threats
• Developing a proactive risk management framework

Module 3: Sanctions Compliance Program Design

• The essential components of an effective sanctions compliance program
• Writing and implementing a clear sanctions policy
• The importance of leadership commitment and a culture of compliance
• Creating an incident response plan for sanctions violations
• Integrating sanctions compliance with other risk management functions

Module 4: Due Diligence and Customer Screening

• The fundamentals of Know Your Customer (KYC) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
• Utilizing sanctions lists and watchlists for screening
• Best practices for name screening and false positive management
• The role of beneficial ownership in due diligence
• Ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews of customers

Module 5: Transaction and Trade Screening

• Implementing effective screening for international payments and wire transfers
• Screening import and export shipments and supply chain partners
• The challenge of screening for dual-use goods and technology
• Understanding and mitigating the risk of sanctions evasion techniques
• Using screening software and technology to enhance accuracy

Module 6: Regulatory Frameworks and Enforcement

• A deep dive into the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) framework
• The role of the European Union and United Nations in sanctions enforcement
• Understanding the concept of "willful blindness" and "strict liability"
• How to respond to a government subpoena or information request
• The process of voluntary self-disclosure and mitigation

Module 7: Emerging Trends in Sanctions Compliance

• The impact of cryptocurrencies and digital assets on sanctions enforcement
• Navigating sanctions in the digital and cyber domain
• Understanding and responding to sanctions against specific industries
• The growing importance of trade-based money laundering (TBML)
• The role of public-private partnerships in sanctions compliance

Module 8: Auditing and Internal Controls

• The fundamentals of a sanctions compliance audit
• Developing strong internal controls to prevent violations
• The importance of employee training and awareness programs
• Conducting independent testing of the compliance program
• Documenting and reporting compliance activities to management

Module 9: Practical Application and Case Studies

• Analyzing real-world case studies of sanctions violations
• Applying compliance principles to complex business scenarios
• Role-playing exercises for identifying and responding to sanctions risks
• Strategies for communicating sanctions risks to stakeholders
• Building a resilient and adaptable compliance strategy for the future

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.