Unit Head Sharia Regulatory Affairs

ADIB Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Unit Head - Sharia Regulatory Affairs to ensure Sharia compliance across the organization. The successful candidate will lead a team, oversee HSA resolutions, and conduct gap assessments while liaising with various stakeholders. Ideal applicants will possess a Bachelor's degree in Sharia or Islamic banking, relevant certifications, and at least 10 years of experience in Sharia functions. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential for this strategic role.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in Sharia related functions in Islamic banking.
• Expert knowledge of banking and Islamic banking products.
• Fluent in Arabic and English.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Sharia Compliance across ADIB Group.
• Lead the team ensuring regulatory requirements are met.
• Conduct gap assessments against HSA Resolutions.
• Monitor implementation of action plans for compliance.

Skills

Sharia compliance

Islamic banking knowledge

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sharia/Islamic banking or equivalent

AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications

Job description

Role : Unit Head - Sharia Regulatory Affairs

Location: Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose

Ensure Sharia Compliance across the ADIB Group with prevailing Higher Sharia 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 units 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 Banks 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 Sharia non-compliance and recommendappropriate corrective actions.
• Monitor the implementation of action plans derived from GA.
• Ensure timely and effective resolution of Sharia compliance issues.
• Provide regular updates to the Head of SCD on the status of obligations action plans and any other issues.
• Collaborate with the Banks 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 ADIBs related SCDs related policies procedures and methodologies.
• 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.
• 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.