2022 Internship Program Compliance null

Job Description

abrdn plc is one of the world’s largest investment companies, and we are built on a long-standing culture of caring about the future and making a positive impact. Together we invest for a better future. We do it to make a difference to the lives of our clients and customers, our employees, society and our shareholders. Our strategy is to build a vibrant and value-creating purpose-led organisation, with the current and future needs of our stakeholders at the heart of all we do.

Grow Sustainably Early Careers 2022 Internship Programme – Asia Pacific Compliance, Australia 

The Australian Risk & Compliance Team is looking for an intern, preferably a final year student to join our Grow Sustainably Early Careers Internship Programme running from July - December 2022 in our Sydney office. This internship is no ordinary 6-month placement. You will be given real work with tangible outputs mentored by senior asset management professionals, and experience working across borders with your regional interns to lead a people engagement project. You will also be participating in an 8-week learning course with the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership, in addition to other early careers development opportunities. There is also a potential for conversion to a permanent role at the end of the internship.

We have been investing in Asia for 30 years and have a large on the ground footprint in the region. We embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors throughout our active investment process. Our aim is to enhance potential value for investors, reduce risk – and, ultimately foster companies that can contribute positively to the world. A key part of this internship will focus on learning the basics of ESG integration and engagement, and understanding what is sustainable investing and what role ESG plays in your particular function. This on the job learning will be enhanced and complemented by your 8 weeks online Sustainable Finance course at the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership.

Roles and Responsibilities

This role reports to the Head of Risk and Compliance - Australia.  The Risk and Compliance team is principally focused on the regulatory requirements and expectations of the regulators. The successful candidate will play a key role in the team including:

• Assist in identifying and analysing legal developments and regulatory change (including ESG Regulatory developments) that may affect abrdn and ensure implementation by the business;
• Provide, organise or participate in compliance training;
• Assist in maintaining compliance policies;
• Assist with issues assessment and breach reporting processes;
• Assist with reporting to compliance committees and board in relation to compliance activities;
• Monitor employee compliance (personal trading in securities & gifts);
• Review marketing material prepared by the business to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Key Skills, Qualifications & Experience

We are looking for motivated candidates with the following attributes:

• Strong academic background in Business, Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Law or equivalent;
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills;
• Self-motivated and passionate to pursue a career in financial services compliance;
• An interest in Sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social, Governance);

We passionately believe in diversity in our workforce and welcome enquiries from all regardless of gender, race, ethnicity. 

We will be flexible regarding days/hours worked and will accommodate university study requirements. We expect the successful interns to commit to a minimum of 20 hours per week in an average week.