The Implementation of Directive 8

The Implementation of Directive 8 course provides a practical introduction to the employee-screening and targeted financial sanctions obligations placed on accountable institutions in South Africa.

Directive 8 requires accountable institutions to screen prospective and current employees for competence and integrity periodically and on a risk-based basis. It also requires all prospective and current employees to be scrutinised against applicable targeted financial sanctions information at the relevant times.

Throughout this course, learners will explore how to:

• Understand the purpose and requirements of Directive 8.
• Develop a risk-based employee-screening framework.
• assess employees’ competence and integrity.
• Conduct and document targeted financial sanctions scrutiny.
• Evaluate and resolve screening findings and potential matches.
• Make fair, proportionate and properly authorised decisions.
• Implement, monitor and review screening outcomes.
• Retain reliable evidence and demonstrate compliance to the Financial Intelligence Centre or relevant supervisory body.

Practical examples, workplace activities and scenario-based assessments will help learners apply these requirements within their own institutions. The course also distinguishes binding legal obligations from institution-designed controls and good practices, enabling each institution to develop arrangements appropriate to its size, employee population, systems and risk exposure.

This course is intended for employees and decision-makers involved in implementing, overseeing or assuring Directive 8 compliance, including:

• Compliance and financial-crime risk professionals.
• Human-resources and recruitment teams.
• Employee-screening and vetting personnel.
• Legal and employee-relations professionals.
• Sanctions and targeted financial sanctions specialists.
• Operational and business managers.
• Risk-management and governance functions.
• Internal audit and assurance teams.
• Senior management and members of relevant oversight committees.
• Employees of accountable institutions who require an understanding of Directive 8 responsibilities.