Manager - Shari’a Assessment & Testing

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC in Abu Dhabi seeks a Manager to lead Shari’a Assessment & Testing, ensuring ongoing compliance with HSA resolutions, ISSC guidance, and CBUAE regulations. The role requires expertise in Islamic banking, audits, and risk-based reviews.

You will manage detailed Shari’a monitoring, report findings to committees, and drive action plans across units, with strong leadership and coordination across stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Shari’a/Islamic banking or equivalent.
• AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications (or equivalent).
• 7+ years of experience in Shari’a related functions (compliance/audit/consultation).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Fluent in Arabic and English.

Responsibilities

• Monitor Shari’a compliance with HSA resolutions, ISSC resolutions and CBUAE standards.
• Oversee Shari’a monitoring and assurance reviews across business units.
• Prepare detailed reports on review findings for stakeholders and committees.
• Supervise action plans and ensure timely implementation of Shari’a issues.
• Coordinate with risk, operations and business units to maintain Shari’a compliance.

Skills

Shari’a Compliance

Shari’a Audit

Leadership

Arabic & English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Shari’a/Islamic banking or equivalent

Job description

Role

Manager - Shari’a Assessment & Testing

Location

Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose

Maintain Shari’a Compliance across the ADIB Group by continuously monitoring the Bank’s business activities and operations in accordance with the prevailing standards and resolutions of the Higher Shari’a Authority (HSA), the related resolutions of the Bank’s Internal Shari’a Supervisory Committee (ISSC), and the relevant regulations issued by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), in alignment with the SCD policies, procedures, methodologies, and the policies and frameworks established by the ISCG.

Key Accountabilities of the role

Support the Senior Manager in maintaining and enhancing Sharia compliance across the ADIB Group as per the applicable procedures and policies.

• Support in continuously monitoring the Bank’s compliance with HSA Resolutions, related ISSC Resolutions and applicable standards and requirements issued by the CBUAE.
• Ensure the Bank’s Annual Shari’a Assessment and Testing Plan "Annual Plan" comprehensively covers all critical areas of Sharia compliance within the ADIB Group.
• Oversee and conduct detailed Shari’a monitoring and assurance reviews across various business units.
• Execute effectively the assigned tasks as per the approved Annual Plan in accordance with relevant policies, utilizing a risk-based methodology supported by systems, such as the Governance, Risk and Control (GRC) platform.
• Assess and evaluate the Shari’a Non-Compliance "SNC" Risks and related controls and maintain regular coordination with Business Units and Operational Risk Management teams to identify issues and develop and implement effective controls.
• Prepare detailed reports on the review findings and results addressed to different stakeholders and Committees as per the applicable policies.
• Compile and present to Unit’s management comprehensive reports on the reviews findings and results.
• Assist in communicating these reports effectively to key stakeholders, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Supervise and ensure the implementation of action plans derived from the field reviews.
• Ensure timely and effective implementation of Shari’a compliance issues identified during assessments.
• Track progress and provide updates on the status of action plans.
• Implement and continuously refine the SCD policies, procedures, and methodologies.
• Provide support and guidance to the execution team to ensure high standards of Shari’a compliance.
• Provide support to other SCD functions as and when required.

Specialist Skills / Technical Knowledge Required for this role

• Bachelor’s degree in Shari’a/Islamic banking or equivalent.
• Strong academic skills or experience in Shari’a Compliance or Shari’a Audit.
• AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications (or equivalent certifications).
• Expert knowledge of banking and Islamic banking products.
• Expert knowledge about principles of Islamic Commercial Jurisprudence, Shari’ah standards, products and Islamic banking operations
• Expert knowledge of AAOIFI Shari’a Standards.
• Excellent communication and presentation Skills.
• Reasonable legal and compliance background.
• Ability to balance between compliance requirements & business needs.
• Experience in Leadership roles.
• Fluent/proficiency in Arabic and English.

Experience

7+ years of experience in Shari’a related functions in Islamic banking, preferably in Shari’a Compliance, Shari’a Consultation and/or Shari’a Audit.