Unit Head - Shari’a Regulatory Affairs

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent banking institution is seeking a Unit Head for Shari’a Regulatory Affairs in Abu Dhabi. The role requires over 10 years of experience in Shari’a compliance, with responsibilities including leading a team, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and managing the resolution process across the organization. A Bachelor’s degree in Shari’a/Islamic banking and bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English are essential. This is an opportunity to shape and refine the compliance framework of a leading bank.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Shari’a related functions in Islamic banking.
• Strong academic skills or experience in Shari’a compliance.
• Expert knowledge of Islamic banking products and Shari’a standards.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Shari’a Compliance across the ADIB Group.
• Lead a team providing strategic direction and regulatory oversight.
• Conduct gap assessments and monitor action plans for Shari’a compliance.

Skills

Shari’a compliance

Islamic banking knowledge

Communication skills

Leadership experience

Bilingual (Arabic and English)

Education

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

AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications

Job description

Role : Unit Head - Shari’a Regulatory Affairs

Location : Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose: Ensure Shari’a Compliance across the ADIB Group with prevailing Higher Shari’a Authority (HSA) standards and resolutions, related ISSC Resolutions, as well as relevant regulations issued by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). This role involves the management of receiving and recording new HSA resolutions, disseminating these resolutions across the organization, conducting gap assessments, assessing related risks and controls, and following up on action plans derived from these assessments. The Senior Manager will lead a team, providing strategic direction and ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met in line with the SCD policies, procedures, and methodologies, and the policies and frameworks established by the ISCG.

Key Accountabilities of the role

• Lead the team by providing strategic direction and ensuring that all regulatory requirements are consistently met.
• Assist the Head of SCD in effectively managing and supervising the SRA unit’s various functions and the team members in accordance with applicable procedures and policies.
• Ensure the timely dissemination and accurate recording of new HSA Resolutions and related ISSC Resolutions.
• Ensure precision in analysis of resolutions and input of their texts into the system, including accurate translation of the HSA Resolutions, when required.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the Bank’s various business and operational functions and continuously assess them to accurately identify key stakeholders.
• Maintain an organized and up-to-date database of all resolutions for easy access and reference, using the applicable systems such as the Governance, Risk and Control (GRC) system.
• Communicate new HSA Resolutions and other related resolutions or standards to relevant departments and stakeholders in accordance with the applicable procedures.
• Ensure clear understanding and effective implementation of these resolutions across the organization.
• Conduct comprehensive gap assessments (GA) against HSA Resolutions, identify obligations to relevant stakeholders, and accurately assess related risks and the effectiveness of existing or new controls.
• Identify areas of Shari’a non‑compliance and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Monitor the implementation of action plans derived from GA.
• Ensure timely and effective resolution of Shari’a compliance issues.
• Provide regular updates to the Head of SCD on the status of obligations, action plans and any other issues.
• Collaborate with the Bank’s Group Compliance Department on compliance‑related matters, when required.
• Prepare relevant reports and dashboards to be provided to different stakeholders as per P&Ps.
• Implement and continuously refine ADIB’s related SCD’s related policies, procedures, and methodologies.
• Provide support to other SCD functions as and when required.

Specialist Skills / Technical Knowledge Required for this role

1. Bachelor’s degree in Shari’a/Islamic banking or equivalent.
2. Strong academic skills or experience in Shari’a compliance.
3. AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications (or equivalent certifications).
4. Expert knowledge of banking and Islamic banking products.
5. Expert knowledge about principles of Islamic Commercial Jurisprudence, Shari’ah standards, products and Islamic banking operations.
6. Expert knowledge of AAOIFI Shari’a Standards.
7. Excellent communication and presentation skills.
8. Reasonable legal and compliance background.
9. Ability to balance between compliance requirements & business needs.
10. Experience in Leadership roles.
11. Fluent/proficiency in Arabic and English.

Previous experience

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