Compliance Officer

Job Description
- Compliance Officer (Exchange House)

Location:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates Employment Type: Full-Time Industry: Money Exchange / Financial Services

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced compliance officer. This is a Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) approved role, requiring an individual who is experienced as an approved Compliance Officer (holding CBUAE approval) within a UAE money exchange business. The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing, maintaining, and overseeing the company's compliance framework, ensuring adherence to all applicable CBUAE regulations, AML/CFT requirements, sanctions obligations, and regulatory reporting requirements while fostering a strong compliance culture throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities
- Regulatory Compliance
- Act as the designated Compliance Officer approved by the Central Bank of the UAE.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable
- CBUAE regulations
- AML/CFT regulations
- Sanctions regulations
- Consumer protection requirements
- FATF Recommendations
- Relevant UAE laws and regulations applicable to exchange houses.
- Serve as the primary point of contact with the Central Bank of the UAE for all compliance-related matters.
- Coordinate and manage all regulatory inspections, audits, and examinations. AML / CFT & Sanctions Compliance
- Maintain and continuously enhance the AML/CFT framework.
- Oversee Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), PEP screening and sanctions screening.
- Ensure effective transaction monitoring systems are operating appropriately.
- Review and approve Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) before submission where applicable.
- Ensure timely reporting to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
- Monitor compliance with UAE sanctions obligations and international sanctions programmes applicable to the business.
- Conduct periodic AML and sanctions risk assessments. Compliance Monitoring
- Develop and implement the annual Compliance Monitoring Plan.
- Perform branch compliance reviews and inspections.
- Monitor compliance across all branches.
- Ensure corrective actions arising from audits and inspections are implemented.
- Identify compliance gaps and recommend remediation plans. Regulatory Reporting
- Ensure all regulatory returns and submissions are completed accurately and on time.
- Maintain regulatory registers and statutory records.
- Liaise with regulators regarding regulatory filings and notifications.
- Ensure prompt escalation of material compliance issues. Policies & Governance Develop, review and update:
- Compliance Manual
- AML/CFT Policies
- Sanctions Policy
- Customer Risk Assessment Framework
- Compliance Monitoring Programme
- Regulatory Policies
- Ensure all internal policies remain aligned with regulatory changes. Risk Management
- Conduct enterprise-wide compliance risk assessments.
- Identify emerging regulatory risks
- Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the business.
- Develop mitigation plans.
- Present compliance risk reports to senior management. Training & Awareness
- Develop annual compliance training programs & maintain training records.
- Deliver AML/CFT and sanctions training to branch staff and head office employees.
- Promote a strong compliance culture across the organization. Continuous Improvement
- Recommend improvements to compliance systems and controls.
- Support automation of compliance processes.
- Lead compliance-related projects.
- Ensure the organization remains aligned with evolving regulatory expectations. Mandatory Requirements Applicants must meet all of the following

requirements:
Currently approved, or previously approved, by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Compliance Officer for a licensed money exchange/exchange house. Minimum 12 years of compliance experience within a CB UAE-regulated entity. Minimum 5 years serving as a compliance officer within a UAE money exchange. Strong practical knowledge of:
- CBUAE regulations
- UAE AML/CFT regulations
- FATF Recommendations
- Sanctions compliance
- UAE FIU reporting requirements
- Customer Due Diligence
- Enhanced Due Diligence
- Transaction Monitoring
- Regulatory inspections
- Experience managing CBUAE inspections and regulatory engagements.
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certification.
- Excellent report writing and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and engage confidently with regulators and senior management. Preferred Qualifications
- ICA Diploma in AML or Compliance / CRCM or equivalent compliance qualification / ACAMS Advanced Certifications.
- Experience implementing compliance technology solutions.
- Experience working across multi-branch exchange operations.
- Experience with automated transaction monitoring systems and sanctions screening solutions.