Compliance Officer
Job Reference: ANT-EFG-COM-2026-0818
Location: UAE – Dubai / Abu Dhabi
Industry: Financial Services / FinTech / Banking / Payments / WealthTech
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience: 3–7 Years
Function: Compliance, Risk & Regulatory Affairs
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Compliance Officer to support the organisation’s regulatory compliance framework within a dynamic financial services and FinTech environment.
The role will be responsible for monitoring regulatory obligations, strengthening compliance controls, supporting AML/CFT and financial crime compliance activities, conducting compliance reviews, and ensuring that business operations remain aligned with applicable UAE regulations and internal policies.
The successful candidate will work closely with senior management, business teams, risk functions, and relevant stakeholders to identify and mitigate regulatory and compliance risks while maintaining a strong culture of governance, integrity, and regulatory adherence.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance
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Monitor and interpret applicable UAE financial services laws, regulations, regulatory notices, and supervisory requirements.
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Support compliance with requirements issued by relevant regulatory authorities, including CBUAE, DFSA, FSRA, SCA and VARA, where applicable.
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Maintain a regulatory obligations register and compliance calendar.
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Assess the impact of regulatory developments on business activities and coordinate implementation of required changes.
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Provide practical compliance guidance to business and support functions.
AML / CFT & Financial Crime Compliance
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Support the implementation and ongoing enhancement of the organisation’s AML/CFT framework.
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Conduct and support KYC, Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), PEP and sanctions screening activities.
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Monitor and assess potentially unusual, high-risk or suspicious customer and transactional activity.
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Support the review and escalation of suspicious activity and regulatory reporting requirements.
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Maintain appropriate AML/CFT records, documentation and supporting evidence.
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Assist with financial crime risk assessments and related remediation initiatives.
For regulated financial institutions, the UAE regulatory framework places significant responsibility on the Compliance Officer/MLRO for AML/CFT controls, suspicious transaction review and reporting, regulatory liaison, risk assessment and compliance reporting.
Compliance Monitoring & Testing
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Conduct periodic compliance monitoring and testing across business functions.
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Identify regulatory breaches, control weaknesses, compliance gaps and emerging risks.
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Document findings and recommend appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
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Track remediation activities through to completion.
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Prepare compliance dashboards, reports and management information for senior stakeholders.
Policies, Procedures & Controls
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Develop, review and maintain compliance policies, procedures, frameworks and internal controls.
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Conduct regulatory gap assessments following changes to applicable laws or regulatory requirements.
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Ensure compliance procedures remain aligned with business activities and regulatory expectations.
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Support the implementation of compliance-related training and awareness programmes.
Regulatory Reporting & Stakeholder Management
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Assist with preparation and submission of regulatory reports and compliance returns.
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Support regulatory inspections, audits and information requests.
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Coordinate responses to compliance-related queries from regulators and other competent authorities.
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Maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, auditors, regulators and external advisors.
Governance & Compliance Culture
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Promote a strong culture of ethical behaviour, regulatory compliance and accountability.
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Provide compliance guidance to business teams on new products, services, processes and business initiatives.
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Support senior management in identifying and managing regulatory and reputational risks.
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Maintain appropriate confidentiality and independence when handling sensitive compliance matters.
Candidate Requirements
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Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Law, Business Administration, Risk Management, Compliance or a related discipline.
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3–7 years of relevant experience in compliance, AML/CFT, financial crime, risk, audit or regulatory functions.
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Previous experience within financial services, banking, FinTech, payments, investment management, brokerage, wealth management or related regulated businesses.
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Strong understanding of UAE financial services regulatory and AML/CFT requirements.
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Practical experience in KYC, CDD, EDD, AML monitoring, sanctions, PEP screening and compliance controls.
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Strong analytical and investigative capabilities.
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Excellent attention to detail and documentation skills.
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Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into practical business controls.
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Strong communication and stakeholder-management capabilities.
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High level of integrity, independence, confidentiality and professional judgement.
Regulatory & Industry Exposure
Candidates with experience in one or more of the following regulatory environments will be strongly preferred:
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Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE)
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Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
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Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) – ADGM
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Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA)
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Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
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UAE AML/CFT framework
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FATF standards and financial crime controls
Preferred Certifications
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CAMS – Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist
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ICA Diploma / Certificate in AML or Compliance
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CFE – Certified Fraud Examiner
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ACFCS – Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists
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Other recognised compliance, AML/CFT, financial crime or risk-management certifications
The CBUAE specifically recognises certifications such as ACFCS, CFE, ICA Diplomas and CAMS as examples of relevant AML/CFT qualifications for certain Compliance Officer requirements.
Key Competencies
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Regulatory Compliance
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AML / CFT
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Financial Crime Compliance
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KYC / CDD / EDD
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Sanctions & PEP Screening
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Compliance Monitoring
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Regulatory Risk Assessment
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Policy & Control Management
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Regulatory Reporting
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Risk-Based Approach
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Stakeholder Management
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Analytical & Investigative Skills
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Governance & Ethics
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Attention to Detail
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a UAE-based Compliance professional with financial-services or FinTech experience, combining strong regulatory knowledge with practical exposure to AML/CFT, KYC, financial crime controls and compliance monitoring.
Candidates who have worked within banking, FinTech, payments, digital banking, investment management, brokerage, wealth management or other regulated financial services environments will be particularly relevant.
For roles falling directly under CBUAE requirements, Compliance Officers may have specific requirements around seniority, independence, full-time employment and regulatory responsibilities; therefore, the final experience and reporting requirements should be aligned with the applicable licence and regulatory framework.