VARA Pre-Licensing Compliance Officer

ITSEC; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

ITSEC in Dubai is seeking an experienced Compliance Professional to join our team as VARA Pre-Licensing Compliance Officer. You will help prepare robust compliance documentation, identify readiness gaps, and collaborate with internal teams to align materials with VARA requirements.

The role focuses on mapping activities to VARA standards, developing policies and control registers, and ensuring evidence-backed materials ahead of licensing.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of compliance experience in regulated financial services.
• Hands-on experience building compliance frameworks and licensing materials.
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT, sanctions and due diligence.
• CAMS preferred; VARA or UAE licensing experience is advantageous.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Map proposed activities and operating model against VARA requirements.
• Develop compliance policies, procedures, control registers, and supporting materials.
• Collaborate with legal, AML, risk, technology, cybersecurity, and operations teams to align documentation with the planned business.
• Design governance, monitoring, training, escalation, and recordkeeping processes.
• Review materials for accuracy, consistency, and supporting evidence.
• Maintain a clear action plan for closing pre-licensing gaps.

Skills

Compliance

AML/CFT

Documentation

Risk controls

Job description

5+ years of relevant compliance experience in financial services, virtual assets, fintech, or another regulated sector; Hands-on experience building compliance frameworks and preparing licensing documentation; Strong knowledge of AML/CFT, sanctions, customer due diligence, and risk-based controls; Excellent analytical and writing skills, with the confidence to challenge weak assumptions; CAMS preferred; VARA or UAE virtual asset licensing experience is a strong advantage.

Job

Full Opportunity Brief

VARA Pre-Licensing Compliance Officer at ITSEC, Dubai

ITSEC is seeking an experienced Compliance Professional to join their team in Dubai as a VARA Pre-Licensing Compliance Officer. This role is crucial for assisting a Dubai virtual asset business in preparing for its VARA licensing by developing robust compliance documentation, identifying readiness gaps, and collaborating with internal teams to resolve them prior to launch.

Key Eligibility Criteria

• 5+ years of relevant compliance experience in financial services, virtual assets, fintech, or another regulated sector.
• Hands-on experience building compliance frameworks and preparing licensing documentation.
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT, sanctions, customer due diligence, and risk-based controls.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, with the confidence to challenge weak assumptions.
• CAMS certification is preferred.
• VARA or UAE virtual asset licensing experience is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities & Scope of Work

• Map proposed activities and operating model against applicable VARA requirements.
• Develop compliance policies, procedures, control registers, and supporting application materials.
• Work with legal, AML, risk, technology, cybersecurity, and operations teams to align documentation with the planned business.
• Design governance, monitoring, training, escalation, and recordkeeping processes.
• Review materials for accuracy, consistency, and supporting evidence.
• Maintain a clear action plan for closing pre-licensing gaps.

Note: This is a pre-licensing preparation role and does not include regulatory submissions, direct communication with VARA, or the formal accountability of an appointed Compliance Officer.

Stipend, Compensation & Mode

Not specified.