Senior Officer, AML/CTF

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB); Riyadh; On-site; SAR 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) in Riyadh is seeking an AML/CTF compliance specialist to oversee AML, CTF and CPF frameworks in alignment with local and international standards. You will assess alerts, sanctions inquiries and ensure robust documentation for auditability.

Qualified candidates have AML/CTF knowledge, regulatory awareness, and fluency in Arabic and English; Saudi national applicants are preferred. This role involves collaboration with MLRO and investigations teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or equivalent.
• Awareness and knowledge of international best practice in relation to AML and Compliance policies and procedures.
• Good knowledge of regulator roles and regulatory requirements.
• Relevant Professional Qualifications, particularly AML.
• Fluent in Arabic and English.
• Must be a Saudi National.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage AML, CTF, and CPF frameworks, ensuring full regulatory compliance.
• Handle alerts generated for sanctions and AML systems.
• Escalate STRs/SAR to the MLRO.
• Review and approve high-risk client acceptance including PEP relationships.
• Maintain complete documentation and robust audit trail for regulatory defensibility.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of systems, processes and practices.
• Assist MLRO and investigations team; prepare MIS for capacity planning.
• Conduct frequent daily screenings against SAMA lists.

Skills

AML/CTF knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Audit trail/documentation

Bilingual English/Arabic

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Accounting

Tools

SAMANET / Tanfeeth

AML system

Job description

• To ensure that all AML/CTF activities within FAB KSA are carried out in accordance with the authorized activities licensed by the governing authorities / regulators; and to ensure the handling of the AML system alerts and related inquiries, emails and further communication, this will include applying best international practices regarding AML/CTF and safeguarding the bank’s reputation by complying to the applicable laws and regulations.
• To ensure timely escalation of alerts/cases presenting indicators of suspicion, sanctions concerns, or material control exceptions in accordance with internal escalation procedures and regulatory expectations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Follow all relevant departmental policies, processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions so that work is carried out in a controlled and consistent manner.
• Follow all relevant rules and regulations issues in regards to the handling of the function and any aiding regulatory instructions.
• Demonstrate compliance to organisation's values and ethics at all times to support the establishment of a value drive culture within the bank.
• Oversee and manage Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF), and Counter-Proliferation Financing (CPF) frameworks, ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and international best practices.
• Handling and treating alerts generated for sanctions (including Targeted Financial Sanctions (UN)) and AML systems.
• Handling and treating SAMANET / Tanfeeth requests.
• Escalate any STRs/SAR to the MLRO.
• Review and approve High risk clients acceptance including PEP relationships.
• Maintain complete documentation, supporting evidence and clear rationale for decisions and case closures to ensure a robust audit trail and regulatory defensibility.
• Contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes and practices considering global standards, productivity improvement and cost reduction.

Reporting

• Assist in the preparation of timely and accurate statements and reports to meet department requirements, policies and quality standards (internally and externally).
• Generating and Monitoring reports generated from the bank AML system to monitor customers’ transactions to detect unusual or potential suspicious activity.
• Support periodic AML/CTF MIS preparation by ensuring accuracy and completeness of information related to alerts/cases (e.g., volumes, ageing, outcomes), as assigned.

Additional Accountabilities

• Ensure AB&C Policy & Framework are implemented and maintained in line with Group and local regulatory requirements.
• Provide advisory to business on AB&C matters.
• Develop and deliver AB&C training to employees and relevant stakeholders.
• Support the investigations team in any potential bribery or corruption incident review and ensure appropriate reporting of any breaches to senior management.
• Handling Anti-commercial concealment role which is under the AML function to combating commercial concealment as required by SAMA.
• Perform any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the line manager or senior management in support of departmental and organizational objectives.

JOB CONTEXT

• Support MLRO in implementing bank’s strategy and business expansion
• Receive and execute SAMANET / Tanfeeth instructions / queries
• Align SAMANET / Tanfeeth processes with back-office systems
• Ensure to maintain strict confidentiality and privacy of the customer information & sanctioned names
• Assist MLRO in investigation of issues
• Perform record management of documents
• Comply with bank’s policies
• Participate in AML-CTF activities to identify customer breaches if any
• Perform systems testing
• Comply with regulations from SAMA, other applicable laws and bank’s policies
• Implement SAMA standard controls and monitor daily transactional activities
• Prepare and submit MIS to MLRO for capacity planning
• Conduct frequent daily screenings against SAMA lists

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or equivalent.
• Awareness and knowledge of international best practice in relation to AML and Compliance policies and procedures.
• Good knowledge of the regulator roles and regulatory requirements.
• Relevant Professional Qualifications, particularly AML.
• Enjoying an independent character enabling him/ her to perform his task objectively.
• Fluent in Arabic and English.
• Must be a Saudi National.

Minimum of 0–4+ years experience in a reputed bank or financial institution, with exposure to compliance frameworks, governance, policies/procedures, assurance / quality review, or related risk and control activities.