Unit Head - Shari’a Assessment & Testing

ADIB - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

ADIB - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank is seeking a Unit Head for Shari’a Assessment & Testing in Abu Dhabi. You will lead Shari’a monitoring, planning, and reporting to senior committees, ensuring compliance with AAOIFI standards and regulatory resolutions.

The role requires deep Shari’a expertise, leadership, and fluency in Arabic and English to communicate with stakeholders and drive risk-based testing across the group.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Shari’a/Islamic banking or equivalent is required.
• Postgraduate or higher qualification in Shari’a/Islamic banking or equivalent.
• Strong background in Shari’a compliance with practical experience.
• AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications (or equivalent).
• Expert knowledge of AAOIFI Shari’a Standards and Islamic banking products.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to balance compliance with business needs.
• Leadership experience in similar roles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and formulate SAT’s Annual Shari’a Assessment and Testing Plans (Annual Plans).
• Lead and oversee Shari’a monitoring and assurance reviews across the Bank.
• Ensure Annual Plan addresses critical Shari’a compliance areas.
• Execute Annual Plan using risk-based methodology and GRC platform.
• Assess SNC risks and control effectiveness with business units.

Skills

Shari’a compliance

Leadership

Communication

Arabic & English fluency

Risk-based monitoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Shari’a/Islamic banking

Postgraduate qualification in Shari’a/Islamic banking

AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications

Tools

GRC platform

Job description

Unit Head - Shari’a Assessment & Testing

Location: Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose

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

Key Accountabilities of the role

• Develop and formulate the SAT’s Annual Shari’a Assessment and Testing Plans (Annual Plans) in line with internal policies, procedures, and methodologies.
• Lead and oversee Shari’a monitoring and assurance reviews across the Bank.
• Ensure the Annual Plan comprehensively addresses all critical areas of Shari’a compliance within the ADIB Group and aligns with organization’s strategic objectives and goals.
• Ensure the effective execution of the Annual Plan in accordance with relevant policies, utilizing a risk-based methodology supported by systems such as the Governance, Risk and Control (GRC) platform.
• Oversee the systematic assessment and evaluation of Shari’a Non-Compliance (SNC) risks and the effectiveness of related controls, while maintaining continuous coordination with Business Units and Operational Risk Management functions to identify potential issues and ensure the timely development and implementation of appropriate mitigating controls.
• Ensure the preparation of detailed Reports on Shari’a review and testing findings, tailored to various stakeholders and committees, in accordance with applicable policies.
• Prepare periodic Reports to the ISSC and other applicable committees.
• Ensure the timely, clear, and accurate communication of Shari’a compliance review findings and reports to relevant business and process stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making and prompt remediation.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations based on the review results.
• Ensure the effective and timely implementation of action plans arising from Shari’a compliance reviews, with robust follow-up and monitoring mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of overall Shari’a compliance controls.
• Monitor progress and ensure the timely implementation of Shari’a compliance issues identified during assessments.
• Provide regular, accurate, and structured updates to the Head of SCD on the status of agreed action plans, including progress tracking, key risks, and escalation of overdue or high-risk items.
• Implement, maintain, and continuously enhance the policies, procedures, and methodologies of the SCD and SAT Unit.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the execution team to ensure the highest standards of Shari’a compliance monitoring and reporting are maintained.
• Provide timely and effective support to other SCD functions, including the Shari’a Review and Assurance (SRA) Unit, as required, and undertake additional assignments as directed by the Head of SCD

Specialist Skills / Technical Knowledge Required for this role

• Bachelor’s degree in Shari’a/Islamic banking or equivalent.
• Postgraduate or higher qualification in Shari’a/Islamic banking or equivalent
• Strong academic background and experience in Shari’a compliance.
• AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications (or equivalent certifications).
• Expert knowledge of banking and Islamic banking products.
• Expert knowledge of the principles of Islamic commercial jurisprudence, Shari’a 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 and business needs.
• Experience in Leadership roles.
• Fluency and proficiency in both Arabic and English.

Previous experience

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