Compliance Officer

This is a remote position.

This is an independent Control Function role forming part of the company's second line of defense.

The Compliance Officer will have responsibility for overseeing the company's overall regulatory compliance framework—not only AML/CFT—and ensuring that the company and its activities remain compliant with all applicable regulatory requirements.

The CBUAE specifically requires the Compliance function to assess the key compliance risks facing the Insurance Broker, monitor how different divisions and business units perform against compliance standards and goals, and address compliance issues involving management and persons holding positions of major responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, maintain and continuously improve the company's Compliance Framework, policies, procedures, controls and compliance monitoring program.
  

• Monitor compliance with all applicable CBUAE laws, regulations, standards, circulars, notices and regulatory requirements, as well as requirements of other relevant UAE regulatory authorities.
  

• Maintain an up-to-date Regulatory Obligations Register and monitor regulatory developments and changes.
  

• Assess the company's key compliance risks and ensure appropriate controls and corrective actions are implemented.
  

• Conduct periodic compliance reviews and monitoring across all departments and business activities.
  

• Review new and amended regulations, perform regulatory gap assessments, and coordinate implementation of required changes.
  

• Oversee compliance with Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) requirements and applicable financial-crime controls.
  

• Oversee KYC, Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) and related customer screening requirements.
  

• Monitor applicable sanctions, targeted financial sanctions, proliferation-financing and other financial-crime compliance requirements.
  

• Monitor compliance with customer protection, conduct of business, fair treatment of customers, conflicts of interest and professional conduct requirements. The Insurance Brokers’ Regulation expressly requires compliance with AML/CFT legislation as well as consumer-protection, conduct and ethics requirements.
  

• Oversee compliance requirements relating to complaints handling and customer disclosures.
  

• Monitor regulatory requirements relating to personal data protection, cybersecurity, record keeping, outsourcing and regulatory reporting.
  

• Review relevant business processes, policies, agreements and activities from a regulatory compliance perspective.
  

• Monitor compliance breaches, exceptions and regulatory incidents, conduct or coordinate investigations where appropriate, and follow corrective actions through to closure.
  

• Maintain appropriate compliance records, evidence, registers and monitoring reports.
  

• Provide advice and guidance to management and employees on regulatory and compliance matters.
  

• Develop and coordinate compliance and AML/CFT awareness and training for employees.
  

• Prepare periodic Compliance reports for Senior Management and the appropriate governance level.
  

• Coordinate regulatory submissions, notifications and communications with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and other relevant authorities.
  

• Promptly escalate material regulatory breaches and Matters of Significance.
  

The last point is particularly important: the Regulation requires the heads of Risk Management, Compliance and Internal Audit to promptly report to the CBUAE violations of Central Bank Laws and Regulations and Matters of Significance.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Law, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Insurance or another relevant discipline. A master’s degree is a plus.
  

• A recognized professional qualification/certification in Compliance, AML/CFT, Financial Crime or a related discipline is strongly preferred.
  

• Minimum 3 years of relevant practical experience in Compliance, AML/CFT, Financial Crime, Internal Audit or a closely related regulatory function.
  

• Strong hands-on Compliance experience, including compliance monitoring, regulatory reviews, gap assessments, policies and procedures, regulatory reporting and corrective-action follow-up.
  

• Practical knowledge and experience in AML/CFT, KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions and financial-crime compliance.
  

• Experience in insurance, insurance brokerage, banking, financial services or another regulated financial institution is strongly preferred. 
  

• Good understanding of regulatory governance, internal controls and the Three Lines of Defense model.
  

• Strong analytical, investigative, documentation and report-writing skills.
  

• Excellent written and spoken English.
  

• Ability to communicate confidently with management and independently challenge non-compliant practices.
  

• Ability to satisfy applicable CBUAE Fit and Proper requirements.
  

The Regulation requires Control Functions—including Compliance—to have the necessary independence, authority and resources, and the head of a Control Function must not participate in operational responsibilities such as underwriting, sales or accounting.

The Candidate We Are Looking For

We are looking for a hands-on Compliance professional, not someone whose experience is limited to preparing reports or completing checklists.

The candidate should be capable of reading and interpreting regulations, determining how they apply to the business, identifying compliance gaps, developing practical solutions, and following through on implementation to completion.

The person should have the confidence to say “this is not compliant” when necessary, while also being able to work constructively with management and employees to find practical and compliant solutions.

Work Location & Arrangement

• The position will be based primarily in India, working for the office in the UAE.
  

• The successful candidate will be provided with a UAE employment visa and will travel to the UAE when required for regulatory, business, training, or other requirements.
  

• While in India, the candidate may work either from our Trivandrum office or from home, based on the agreed working arrangement.
  

• The candidate will work closely with the management and teams in the UAE and must be available during agreed working hours.
  

• The role requires a high degree of independence, confidentiality, accountability and professional integrity.