Compliance Officer MLRO

Wahed; Sharjah; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services company located in Sharjah, UAE, is seeking an experienced compliance specialist. The role involves maintaining regulatory licenses, conducting compliance risk assessments, and acting as a liaison with regulatory bodies. Candidates should possess extensive experience in compliance management, particularly within the financial sector, and a deep understanding of FSRA and AML/KYC regulations. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• 56 years of experience in compliance within the financial services sector.
• Minimum 23 years of experience in ADGM and FSRA regulatory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of FSRA regulations and AML/KYC frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Maintain regulatory licenses and compliance deliverables in the UAE.
• Act as primary liaison with FSRA on compliance matters.
• Identify and assess compliance risks associated with business activities.
• Oversee regulatory inspections and ensure timely resolutions.

Skills

Regulatory compliance management

AML/KYC compliance

Risk assessment

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Job description

About Wahed Invest Limited

Wahed Invest Limited is authorized and regulated by the FSRA to conduct regulated activities in or from ADGM as an Islamic Finance Business with a 3C license. The license includes: Sharia Compliant Regulated Activities, Managing Assets, Arranging Custody.

Job Description

Regulatory Compliance & Governance:

• Take full responsibility for maintaining regulatory licenses and fulfilling compliance deliverables in the UAE concerning the investment business and 3C license ensuring full adherence to FSRA and ADGM guidelines.
• Provide compliance advisory support to the business ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements permissible activities and product development.
• Conduct comprehensive compliance risk assessments monitoring and testing to evaluate the effectiveness of internal policies procedures and guidelines.
• Report compliance risks and findings regularly to executive management and escalated material concerns to the Board of Directors.
• Act as the primary liaison with the FSRA on compliance related matters.
• Develop, implement and update compliance policies procedures and frameworks to prevent illegal, unethical or improper conduct.
• Oversee the day‑to‑day implementation and operation of the compliance framework.
• Actively apprise local updates with the group compliance team.

Compliance Risk & Controls:

• Identify and assess compliance risks associated with the Firm’s existing and future business activities including new products, business relationships and international expansion.
• Collaborate with Risk Management, Shariah and Legal teams to direct compliance issues to the appropriate channels for investigation and resolution.
• Develop written compliance guidelines for employees and service providers ensuring clarity on the implementation of laws, regulations, rules and standards.
• Maintain a centralized inventory of essential laws and regulations ensuring accessibility and regulatory compliance for all staff.
• Establish and supervise compliance checks and internal controls.
• Address any compliance audit findings and lead remediation activities.
• Review and provide compliance approval for marketing material that goes out on various platforms.
• Facilitating resolution of client complaints.
• Assist the Risk officer for the quarterly risk committee meetings and ensure updates are provided on GRC tool Archer.

AML & KYC Responsibilities:

• Act as the Money‑Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) overseeing all KYC/AML obligations in line with FSRA regulations.
• Ensure full compliance with AML/CFT requirements including transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting and regulatory obligations.
• Conduct and oversee customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD) and sanctions screening at the onboarding stage and ongoing monitoring.
• Ensure timely submission of all regulatory returns statements and reports.
• Centralise compliance related information including breaches of regulation, conflicts of interest and internal violations.
• Develop and enforce a robust framework for handling regulatory violations and investigations.
• Promote a strong compliance culture within the firm through training and awareness programs.

Governance Responsibilities:

• Oversee regulatory inspections ensuring timely resolution of findings and implementation of necessary corrective actions.
• Act as the Company Secretary for the firm and ensure effectiveness of the Board. Also conduct Board meetings in a timely and efficient manner and ensuring that all significant aspects of business are apprised to the Board.

Job Specification

• 56 years of experience in Compliance within the financial services sector in the region.
• Minimum 23 years of experience in ADGM and FSRA regulatory compliance.
• Candidates with global compliance experience are preferred but not essential.
• Strong knowledge of FSRA regulations, AML/KYC frameworks and investment business compliance.
• Ability to liaise with regulators, manage compliance risks and implement effective compliance frameworks.
• Strong analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills.

Required Experience

Unclear seniority.