Unit Head Sharia Assessment & Testing

ADIB Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Islamic bank in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Unit Head for Sharia Assessment & Testing to ensure Sharia compliance across the organization. This role involves developing annual assessment plans, overseeing monitoring reviews, and communicating findings to stakeholders. The ideal candidate should have a bachelor's degree in Sharia/Islamic banking, strong experience in Sharia compliance, and be fluent in Arabic and English. Professionals with certifications such as AAOIFI CSAA or CIPA are preferred.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in Sharia‑related functions in Islamic banking.
• Expert knowledge of banking and Islamic banking products.
• Strong academic background in Sharia compliance.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Sharia compliance across the ADIB Group.
• Develop the SAT's Annual Sharia Assessment and Testing Plan.
• Lead Sharia monitoring and assurance reviews across the Bank.
• Prepare detailed reports on review and testing findings.
• Communicate findings to stakeholders and implement action plans.

Skills

Sharia compliance expertise

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Leadership experience

Bilingual (Arabic and English)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sharia/Islamic banking

AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications

Job description

Description

Role: Unit Head - Sharia Assessment & Testing

Location: Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose

Ensure Sharia 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 Sharia Authority (HSA), the related resolutions of the Bank's 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

• Assist the Head of SCD in supervising and managing the function of continuous monitoring of the Bank's compliance with HSA Resolutions related ISSC Resolutions and applicable standards and requirements issued by the CBUAE.
• Develop and formulate the SATs Annual Sharia Assessment and Testing Plan in line with internal policies, procedures and methodologies.
• Lead and oversee Sharia monitoring and assurance reviews across the Bank.
• Ensure the Annual Plan comprehensively addresses all critical areas of Sharia compliance within the ADIB Group and aligns with organizational strategic objectives and goals.
• Ensure meticulous evaluation of operations and transactions for adherence to HSA standards and CBUAE regulations.
• 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 assessment and evaluation of 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.
• Ensure the preparation of detailed reports on review and testing findings tailored to various stakeholders and committees in accordance with applicable policies.
• Effectively communicate review findings and reports to relevant business and process stakeholders.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations based on the review results.
• Ensure the effective implementation of action plans derived from the conducted reviews and enhance overall Sharia compliance controls.
• Monitor progress and ensure the timely implementation of Sharia compliance issues identified during assessments.
• Provide regular updates to the Head of SCD on the status of HSA Resolutions and agreed action plans.
• Implement and continuously refine the SCD policies, procedures and methodologies.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the execution team to ensure the highest standards of Sharia compliance monitoring and reporting are maintained.
• Provide support to other SCD functions as and when required.

Specialist Skills / Technical Knowledge Required for this role

• Bachelor's degree in Sharia/Islamic banking or equivalent.
• Strong academic skills or experience in Sharia compliance.
• 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

10 years of experience in Sharia‑related functions in Islamic banking, preferably in Sharia Compliance, Sharia Consultation and/or Internal Sharia Audit.