Compliance Officer / Assistant AML Officer
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Full timeOn-site
Job description
Role Overview
We are looking for a Compliance Officer / AML Officer to support client onboarding, AML risk assessments, sanctions and PEP screening, suspicious activity reporting, regulatory responses, AML training, compliance monitoring, and management reporting. The role requires sound knowledge of UAE AML regulations, hands-on CDD/KYC experience, and the ability to coordinate effectively with internal teams
Key Responsibilities
Client On-boarding and Acceptance
- Perform and coordinate client onboarding and acceptance procedures.
- Collect, review, and verify client due diligence documentation, including KYC forms, trade licences, ownership structures, UBO details, directors, authorised signatories, and related supporting documents.
- Prepare AML risk assessments for new and existing clients and ensure that risk classifications are properly documented and supported.
- Perform sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening, document the results, and escalate potential matches for review as required.
- Identify high-risk clients and perform enhanced due diligence procedures where applicable.
- Obtain and review source of funds and source of wealth information where required.
- Respond to internal team queries on client acceptance, missing information, and AML requirements, and escalate complex onboarding matters.
- Maintain onboarding files that are properly documented in line with the Firm’s AML policies and regulatory expectations.
AML Compliance and MLRO Support
- Support the day-to-day monitoring of the Firm’s compliance with its AML policies, procedures, systems, and controls.
- Assist in receiving and logging internal suspicious activity or suspicious transaction notifications from employees.
- Perform an initial review of internal suspicious activity reports and escalate them with recommendations on the appropriate action to be taken.
- Assist in the preparation of Suspicious Activity Reports / Suspicious Transaction Reports, where required, in accordance with applicable UAE AML legislation.
- Maintain internal SAR/STR logs, MLRO decision records, supporting documentation, and evidence of actions taken.
- Monitor updates to sanctions lists and perform appropriate screening against existing client records where required.
- Escalate potential sanctions matches or reportable matters through the appropriate channels and assist with reporting, including through goAML where applicable.
Regulatory Liaison and Reporting
- Support the Firm’s communication with competent UAE authorities and relevant regulators on AML and compliance matters.
- Assist in preparing timely responses to regulatory information requests, surveys, questionnaires, inspections, and audit queries.
- Track relevant regulatory findings, recommendations, guidance, directives, sanctions notices, or other regulatory communications, and assist in implementing required actions.
- Assist in preparing the Firm’s annual regulatory returns and other required regulatory submissions.
- Maintain records of regulatory correspondence and submissions.
Policies, Procedures and Monitoring
- Assist in reviewing and updating AML, CDD, sanctions, client acceptance, and related compliance policies and procedures.
- Monitor regulatory developments and highlight changes that may require updates to the Firm’s policies to keep them aligned with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.
- Assist in conducting periodic compliance monitoring and internal reviews.
- Identify compliance gaps, control weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
- Follow up with relevant teams to address findings and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
Training and Awareness
- Assist in maintaining an appropriate AML training programme for the Firm.
- Assist in the delivery of annual AML training for employees.
- Monitor AML training completion and ensure adequate staff awareness of AML obligations, suspicious activity reporting, sanctions screening, and onboarding requirements.
- Maintain training records and update training content as required.
Team Support and Coordination
- Support the day-to-day activities of the compliance team.
- Manage own workload and ensure timely completion of assigned compliance and onboarding matters.
- Coordinate with internal teams on AML, KYC, client acceptance, and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Ensure own work is consistent, accurate, and properly documented.
- Escalate complex or high-risk matters to senior compliance personnel where required.
Compliance Reporting
- Assist in preparing periodic reports to senior management on AML and compliance matters.
- Gather information on the effectiveness of AML policies, procedures, systems, and controls.
- Compile data on new client onboarding activity, client risk classifications, high-risk matters, SAR/STR reporting, sanctions matters, regulatory updates, and key compliance issues.
- Escalate material AML or compliance concerns in a timely manner.
Must have requirements
- BA degree in a relevant field.
- Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English.
- Proficient in using MS Office applications.
- Strong and clear communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Have the competence, capability, and integrity required to perform AML and compliance-related responsibilities
Nice to have requirements
- Previous experience in a compliance or risk management role.
- Understanding of regional and international regulatory frameworks.
- Certification in compliance or related fields.
- Analytical mindset and attention to detail.
Perks and Benefits
- Competitive salary.
- Opportunities for professional development and training.
- Flexible working hours.