Compliance Officer/MLRO

Generative Futures; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Generative Futures in Dubai, UAE, is seeking a senior Compliance Officer & MLRO to lead the AML/CFT program, ensure VARA compliance and maintain robust regulatory reporting.

You will partner with senior management, oversee policies, customer due diligence, sanctions screening, and ongoing risk assessments to support growth in the digital assets space.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in compliance and digital assets.
• Strong knowledge of UAE AML/CFT requirements and VARA framework.
• Prior VARA-regulated VASP experience desirable.
• Experience in MLRO or Deputy MLRO role.
• Ability to interact with regulators and respond to examinations.
• Excellent communication and advisory skills.
• Professional qualifications such as CAMS, ICA, CISI are desirable.
• Strong analytical, organizational and stakeholder-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Compliance Officer and MLRO, with responsibility for the firm's compliance and AML/CFT framework.
• Maintain and enhance policies, procedures and controls in line with VARA regulations and UAE requirements.
• Act as a regulatory contact and support engagement with VARA.
• Oversee AML/CFT, sanctions and financial crime compliance framework.
• Conduct and oversee compliance risk assessments including customer and product risk.
• Develop and execute the annual compliance monitoring programme.
• Provide regulatory advice to senior management and business teams.

Skills

VARA regulations

AML/CFT

MLRO experience

Regulatory reporting

Stakeholder management

Regulatory liaison

Digital assets

Education

CAMS/ICA/CISI or equivalent

Job description

Compliance Officer & MLRO — VARA-Regulated VASP

Location: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Digital Assets / Virtual Assets

Regulatory Framework: VARA

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Company

We are working with a leading VARA-regulated Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Dubai that is expanding its compliance function as the business continues to scale.

The firm is looking to appoint an experienced Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to take ownership of the compliance and AML framework and act as a key point of contact with the regulator.

The Role

This is a senior, hands-on compliance position with responsibility for ensuring the business operates in line with VARA requirements, applicable UAE legislation and international best practice.

You will work closely with senior management and the wider business, providing regulatory advice while maintaining robust AML/CFT, compliance monitoring and regulatory reporting frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Compliance Officer and MLRO, with responsibility for the firm's compliance and AML/CFT framework.
• Maintain and enhance policies, procedures and controls in line with VARA regulations and applicable UAE requirements.
• Act as a key regulatory contact and support the business in its engagement with VARA.
• Oversee the firm's AML/CFT, sanctions and financial crime compliance framework.
• Conduct and oversee compliance risk assessments, including customer, product and jurisdictional risk.
• Develop and execute the annual compliance monitoring programme.
• Provide regulatory advice to senior management and business teams on new and existing products and activities.
• Oversee customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, transaction monitoring and suspicious transaction reporting.
• Ensure appropriate identification, escalation and reporting of suspicious activity.
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the business.
• Prepare compliance and regulatory reports for senior management and the Board.
• Support regulatory examinations, inspections and information requests.
• Deliver compliance and AML training across the organisation.
• Work closely with Risk, Legal, Operations and other control functions to maintain a strong compliance culture.

Requirements

• Significant experience in compliance and digital assets.
• Strong knowledge of UAE AML/CFT requirements and VARA's regulatory framework.
• Previous experience working within a VARA-regulated VASP is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of virtual asset products, blockchain technology and the associated financial crime risks.
• Proven experience operating as an MLRO or Deputy MLRO, ideally within a regulated financial services or digital asset environment.
• Experience dealing directly with regulators and responding to regulatory requests or examinations.
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT, sanctions, KYC/CDD, transaction monitoring and financial crime risk management.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to advise and challenge senior stakeholders.
• Relevant professional qualifications such as CAMS, ICA, CISI or equivalent are desirable.
• Strong analytical, organisational and stakeholder-management skills.