Team Lead — Compliance Monitoring, Assurance & Testing (CMAT)

Compliance Monitoring & Testing Programme

• Own and maintain a risk-based annual Compliance Monitoring & Assurance Plan (CMAP) refreshed on risk assessment outcomes FSRA thematic reviews and changes in regulatory posture.

• Design and execute control testing across AML/CFT sanctions market abuse client-asset safeguarding complaint handling outsourcing and technology/cyber governance.

• Apply full-cycle assurance methodology: scoping walkthroughs sampling testing root-cause analysis findings rating remediation tracking closure validation.

• Deliver thematic deep-dives aligned to FSRA supervisory priorities (e.g. transaction monitoring effectiveness Travel Rule compliance EDD for high-risk clients market abuse surveillance).

Regulatory Alignment (FSRA)

• Ensure monitoring activities map to the FSRA AML/CFT Rulebook Conduct of Business (COBS) General (GEN) Prudential (PRU) and Virtual Asset framework obligations.

• Support the Compliance Officer and MLRO in demonstrating effective oversight under FSRAs risk-based supervision model.

• Maintain evidence trails that satisfy FSRA information requests on-site inspections and thematic reviews.

• Monitor regulatory change (FSRA consultations ADGM notices UAE Federal Decree-Law 20/2018 and its Executive Regulations MoE/EO AML guidance) and reflect updates in the plan.

Findings Reporting & Escalation

• Produce clear board-ready assurance reports with quantified findings severity ratings and management action plans.

• Operate a robust issue-management and remediation-tracking framework with escalation protocols for overdue or high-risk items.

• Present monitoring results to Risk Committees Compliance Committees and where required the Board/Audit Committee.

• Liaise with Internal Audit and external auditors to ensure complementary (non-duplicative) coverage.

AML/CFT & Financial Crime Assurance

• Test the effectiveness of CDD/EDD KYC onboarding periodic review PEP/sanctions screening transaction monitoring and SAR/STR escalation processes.

• Assess suspicious activity identification and reporting effectiveness including FIU-UAE submission quality.

• Verify Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS) and asset-freeze controls.

Leadership & Team Management

• Build mentor and lead a high-performing assurance team setting testing standards quality review and coaching.

• Foster a culture of challenge professional scepticism and integrity consistent with SMCR conduct expectations.

• Manage resource allocation against the CMAP and ensure delivery within agreed SLAs.

Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain CMAT policies methodologies and documentation to an auditable standard.

• Drive automation and data analytics to strengthen monitoring coverage and efficiency.

• Embed lessons learned into first- and second-line processes and training.

Essential

• 710 years in compliance assurance internal audit or regulatory supervision within financial services fintech preferably within crypto/VASP environments.

• 3 years leading teams or workstreams in a second-line or audit function.

• Strong working knowledge of ADGM FSRA rulebooks and the UAE AML/CFT landscape; comparable MAS HKMA FCA or DIFC/DFSA experience will be considered.

• Proven track record designing and executing risk-based compliance monitoring/testing programmes.

• Depth in AML/CFT sanctions and financial-crime control testing.

• Excellent written and verbal English; strong report-writing and stakeholder-presentation skills.

Desirable

• CAMS CGSS CRMA CIA ACCA/ACA ICA or equivalent certification

• Prior experience in a regulated crypto/VASP or high-growth fintech.

• Data analytics SQL or audit-automation tooling skills.

• Arabic language proficiency (advantageous not required).