Compliance Officer, MLRO, CRO & RI

Webot; Dubai; On-site; AED 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Webot, a global virtual asset platform expanding to the UAE, seeks seasoned regulatory experts to lead VARA licensing, compliance, AML/MLRO, and RI duties for our UAE entity. Based in Dubai, you will manage licence applications, regulatory submissions, governance, and risk frameworks.

Candidates should have 5+ years in compliance, AML/CFT hands-on experience, and a CAMS or equivalent AML qualification. Prior UAE VASP or VARA licensing experience is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a compliance function with AML/CFT experience.
• CAMS or equivalent AML qualification preferred.
• Experience building compliance and risk frameworks from ground up.

Responsibilities

• Lead VARA licensing submissions with regulatory regimes.
• Serve as primary liaison with regulators for licence applications and post‑authorisation engagements.
• Coordinate interviews, information requests and remediation actions.
• Manage external advisors and auditors and oversee regulatory documentation.

Skills

AML/CFT experience

VARA licensing

Regulatory liaison

Compliance governance

Job description

Webot is a global virtual asset platform providing digital asset trading and related services to users worldwide. As part of our expansion strategy, we are establishing our UAE operations and pursuing a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) or other UAE virtual assets regulatory authorities.

We are seeking experienced regulatory experts to hold the Compliance Officer (CO), Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Responsible Individual (RI) roles at our upcoming UAE entity and manage end-to-end VARA licensing procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

VARA Licensing

• Lead the preparation and submission of licence applications under VARA or other virtual asset regulatory regimes.
• Act as the primary liaison with regulators for all licence applications, regulatory submissions, and post-authorisation supervisory engagements.
• Coordinate regulatory interviews, information requests and remediation actions.
• Manage external legal advisers, compliance consultants and auditors.
• Develop and maintain all regulatory documentation required for licensing.

Compliance

• Establish and maintain the Compliance Management System (CMS).
• Draft and implement policies and procedures required under VARA Rulebooks or other virtual asset regulatory frameworks.
• Conduct compliance monitoring and testing.
• Report directly to the Board regarding compliance matters.

AML / MLRO

• Develop and maintain AML/CFT frameworks.
• Manage transaction monitoring and sanctions screening programmes.
• Review and file Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs).
• Act as the primary contact with UAE regulators and law enforcement authorities on AML matters.
• Build and maintain enterprise risk management frameworks.
• Conduct business, operational and regulatory risk assessments.
• Present risk reports to senior management and the Board.

Responsible Individual

• Serve as one of the approved Responsible Individuals under VARA requirements.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable VARA regulations and licence conditions.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Based in Dubai.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a compliance function, including at least 2 years of hands‑on AML/CFT experience.
• Background in financial services, fintech, payments or virtual assets.
• CAMS or equivalent AML qualification preferred.
• Comfortable building compliance, AML and risk management frameworks from the ground up.

Strong Preference For Candidates Who Have:

• Previously served as Compliance Officer, MLRO, or Responsible Individual at a UAE‑licensed VASP, preferably a VARA‑licensed VASP; or
• Directly participated in one or more successful VARA licence applications.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

KEY SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Successfully obtain VARA licence approval.
• Build and implement the compliance and AML framework.
• Establish governance and risk management systems.
• Maintain strong regulatory relationships with VARA.