Manager Sharia Assessment & Testing

ADIB Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ADIB Group in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Manager - Sharia Assessment & Testing to maintain Sharia compliance across the group. You will monitor activities, oversee the annual plan, and lead Sharia reviews with risk and business units, ensuring timely remediation and continuous improvement of Sharia governance.

The role requires expertise in AAOIFI standards, strong leadership, and fluency in Arabic and English, with experience in Islamic banking environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sharia/Islamic banking or equivalent.
• AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications or equivalent.
• Expert knowledge of AAOIFI Sharia Standards and Islamic banking operations.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Bilingual in Arabic and English.

Responsibilities

• Monitor ongoing Sharia compliance across ADIB Group per HSA and ISSC resolutions.
• Oversee and update the Annual Sharia Assessment and Testing Plan.
• Lead Sharia monitoring reviews across business units and report findings.
• Coordinate with risk and operations to implement effective controls.
• Prepare detailed reports for committees and stakeholders.
• Ensure timely implementation of action plans and policy refinements.

Education

Bachelor in Sharia/Islamic Banking

AAOIFI CSAA / CIPA certifications

Sharia Compliance & Sharia Audit

Leadership

Arabic & English fluency

Regulatory & risk awareness

Job description

Description

Role: Manager - Sharia Assessment & Testing

Location: Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose: Maintain Sharia Compliance across the ADIB Group by continuously monitoring the Banks business activities and operations in accordance with the prevailing standards and resolutions of the Higher Sharia Authority (HSA) the related resolutions of the Banks Internal Sharia 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 in continuously monitoring the Banks compliance with HSA Resolutions related ISSC Resolutions and applicable standards and requirements issued by the CBUAE.
• Ensure the Banks Annual Sharia Assessment and Testing Plan Annual Plan comprehensively covers all critical areas of Sharia compliance within the ADIB Group.
• Oversee and conduct detailed Sharia 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 Sharia 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 Units 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 plansderived from the field reviews.
• Ensure timely and effective implementation of Sharia 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 Sharia compliance.
• Provide support to other SCD functions as and when required.
  

Specialist Skills / Technical Knowledge Required for this role:

• Bachelors degree in Sharia/Islamic banking or equivalent.
• Strong academic skills or experience in Sharia Compliance or Sharia 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 Shariah standards products and Islamic banking operations
• Expert knowledge of AAOIFI Sharia 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.

Previous experience:

7 years of experience in Sharia related functions in Islamic banking preferably in Sharia Compliance Sharia Consultation and/or Sharia Audit.

Required Experience:

Manager