Compliance Officer – Education Recruitment Location: Cape Town, South Africa Salary: R16K to R18K per month Contract Type: Permanent / Full-Time Reporting to: Education Division Manager & Compliance Manager About Us Education Matters Group Ltd (EMG) is an education recruitment agency making a positive difference in education. We are dedicated to connecting skilled professionals with schools and educational institutions across the UK. We are committed to safeguarding children and ensuring all our candidates meet the highest standards of compliance. EMG mission is to be the leader in candidate engagement and retention, ensuring that educators feel valued and motivated to make a lasting impact on schools. Our core values are Excellence, Motivation and Growth, these guide our behaviours and drive our interactions with educators daily. EMG is a South Africa and London based Education Agency who supports staffing needs for schools in London and Home Counties. Due to growth and expansion within our business, we are looking for a dedicated Compliance Officer to support our sales team in Cape Town, South Africa. Job Summary As a Compliance Officer, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that all candidates placed in schools and educational settings meet the statutory and company safeguarding requirements. You will be responsible for conducting pre-employment checks, maintaining accurate records, and supporting consultants to ensure full regulatory compliance with industry standards such as Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) and the REC Audited Education framework. Key Responsibilities Conduct all mandatory compliance and vetting checks for education staff, including: Enhanced DBS checks and updates Right to Work verification Professional references (minimum of two) Qualifications and identity checks Overseas police checks (where applicable) Other checks Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on the recruitment database (e.g., CRM, ATS) Ensure all documentation meets internal and external audit requirements (e.g. DfE, REC) Regularly audit candidate files to ensure continued compliance Liaise with recruitment consultants and candidates to resolve compliance queries quickly and effectively Stay up-to-date with relevant safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practices Support the onboarding and re-clearance processes for existing staff Participate in internal audits and prepare documentation for external inspections Person Specification Essential Skills & Experience Previous experience in a compliance or safeguarding role, ideally within education or recruitment Knowledge of KCSiE, Safer Recruitment, and the DBS process Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment Resilient, target driven and professional Proficient in Microsoft Office and recruitment CRM systems Desirable REC compliance or Safer Recruitment in Education training Experience working in an audited education agency Understanding of GDPR and data protection legislation Benefits R16K to R18K per month Ongoing training and development Opportunities for career progression and growth Friendly and supportive team environment Hybrid working options (1 day per week working from home)