Senior Specialist – Supervision (Intermediary)

ADGM; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 275,000 - 349,000; Full time

Job summary

An international financial authority seeks a Senior Specialist to oversee the regulatory supervision of virtual asset broker-dealers in Abu Dhabi. The role requires extensive expertise in compliance and risk assessment, effective communication skills, and the ability to manage complex supervisory challenges. Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree and have a minimum of 6 years' relevant experience, preferably with knowledge of blockchain technologies.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in compliance, risk assessment, or regulatory review.
• Qualifications relating to blockchain technologies or digital assets.
• Good written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct supervisory oversight of virtual asset entities.
• Develop regulatory frameworks for new products.
• Collaborate with colleagues for enhanced governance.

Skills

Compliance expertise

Risk assessment

Analytical skills

Problem-solving abilities

Stakeholder influence

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Computer Science, or related field

Advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g., ICA, ACAMS, CFA)

Job description

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) is responsible for the regulation of Financial Services activities in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) — an award-winning international financial centre strategically located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

ADGM comprises three independent authorities: the Registration Authority (RA), the FSRA, and ADGM Courts. Together, they ensure ADGM operates in accordance with international best practices, recognised by major financial centres worldwide.

The FSRA was established to foster a progressive financial services environment and uphold the integrity of ADGM. Its regulatory frameworks are benchmarked to global standards, ensuring financial entities operate with clarity and certainty, market participants compete on a level playing field, and investor interests are safeguarded.

The Fintech Department, within the Authorisation & Fintech Division of the FSRA, is responsible for the regulatory oversight of intermediary firms conducting regulated activities in relation to Virtual Assets (VAs) and Fiat-Referenced Tokens (FRTs). This includes entities engaged in issuance of FRTs, safekeeping of VAs/ FRTs, VA-related trading and investments, and other non-exchange services.

This Senior Specialist role sits within the Fintech Supervision (Intermediary) team and will be directly responsible for the day-to-day supervisory oversight of VA broker-dealer entities. These entities typically carry out regulated activities such as Dealing in Investments (as Principal or Agent) and Providing Custody under a Financial Services Permission (FSP) granted by the FSRA. The role involves complex supervisory challenges posed by virtual asset intermediaries, including systemic risk considerations, cross-border regulatory coordination, and technology-driven business models.

The role reports to the Manager – Supervision (Intermediary) and requires close collaboration with colleagues across the Authorisation & Fintech division and the wider FSRA.

Operational responsibilities

• Participates in desk-based and on-site inspections, reviewing policies, operations, and business models of supervised intermediaries to ensure alignment with the FSRA’s regulatory framework.
• Assists with the development and follow-up of risk mitigation plans, thematic reviews, and regulatory reporting associated with intermediary firms.
• Liaises with regulated firms to address issues identified during supervision and facilitates improvement in governance and risk management practices.
• Assist in the development of regulatory frameworks to address risks faced by regulated entities’ adoption and use of virtual assets, including new products offered by regulated entities.
• Contributes to the administration of regulations, rules and risk management for the ongoing supervision of intermediary firms.
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reporting by Fintech.

Strategic responsibilities

• Supports the Senior Manager and Manager in supervising intermediary firms carrying out regulated activities in relation to Virtual Assets and Fiat-Referenced Tokens, focusing on detailed reviews, regulatory returns, and risk assessments relevant to firm-level risks such as prudential, operational, conduct, and financial crime.
• Continuously improve intermediary supervision practices to ensure that ADGM takes a leading role in virtual asset and stablecoin related market developments.

People management

• Support the Manager in ensuring that Supervision (Intermediary) operates responsibly and proficiently.
• Embed the culture and vision in Fintech by role-modelling organisational behaviours through performance management, feedback and coaching.

Information Security related

• Understand, adopt, adhere and practice responsibilities or controls as per ADGM Information Security policy and as per best practices explained in the induction and awareness sessions.
• Confidentiality, Integrity and availability of the ADGM Information shall be maintained at all times i.e. within as well as outside ADGM.

Education

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree.
• Professionally qualified in one of the following disciplines: Finance, computer science/ engineering, business, or related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 6 years of experience in compliance, risk assessment, regulatory review, or external/internal audit for financial intermediaries.
• Qualifications / competency relating to blockchain technologies, digital assets or related disciplines.
• Good written and oral communication skills; able to clearly report findings and recommendations.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in team-based environments and to influence both internal and external stakeholders.
• High standard of personal ethics, integrity, and responsibility.

Desirable:

• Advanced degree or professional certifications in compliance or risk management (e.g., ICA, ACAMS, CFA).
• Familiarity with supervisory technology (SupTech) and regulatory technology (RegTech) systems.
• Experience working on or supporting regulatory inspections, thematic reviews, or remediation programs at regulator or within regulated firms.
• Project management experience, preferably within a financial supervisory context.
• Exposure to ADGM or UAE regulatory systems and standards.
• Proficiency in Arabic language and understanding of multicultural environments.
• Familiarity with ADGM-specific rules and business culture.
• Exposure to international regulatory engagement and policy development.

The FSRA was established to advocate a progressive financial services environment and uphold the integrity of ADGM. The FSRA’s policies are aligned with internationally recognised standards and ensure that financial entities operate with certainty, market participants thrive in an equal level-playing environment, and the interests of investors are safeguarded.