Assistant Manager- Compliance

The Assistant Manager Compliance is responsible for the AML/CFT compliance framework, including client due diligence, PEP and sanctions screening, risk-based inspections, suspicious activity handling and regulatory liaison, under the direction of the Head of Compliance. The role applies policies, procedures, systems and controls with sound independent judgement and escalates matters requiring head of department or management decision.

Responsibilities

• Keep up to date with money laundering and terrorist financing developments, regulatory changes and typologies through seminars, publications and authority circulars, and recommend procedural updates where required.
• Review client applications rated Medium-High, High or Override risk, including KYC, EDD verification, beneficial ownership and client risk rating, prior to acceptance and client sign-off.
• Escalate high-risk clients to Senior Management for approval and confirm that adequate controls are in place prior to acceptance.
• Report all rejected applications to Senior Management.
• Review and resolve daily ongoing screening alerts on the existing client portfolio, including all stakeholders and company name, to identify any risk trigger such as new PEP status, sanctions match, adverse media or changes in ownership, activity or risk profile
• Screen stakeholders and company name against applicable sanctions lists, including the UN Consolidated List and the UAE Local Terrorist List, at onboarding and upon every list update, and escalate potential or confirmed matches to the head of department without delay.
• Re-assess and update the client risk rating where a trigger event is identified, apply EDD where the risk increases, and escalate material concerns to the Head of department.
• Identify and report suspicious activity, receive and assess internal suspicious activity reports from staff, file external STRs/SARs with the UAE FIU via goAML, and maintain confidential records of all reports.
• Act as the operational point of contact for competent UAE authorities, respond promptly to requests for information, and action any directives, sanctions or notices received.
• Deliver quarterly AML/CFT training and awareness to staff, keeping them updated on new rules, regulations and trends
• Prepare regular reports for Head of department and Senior Management on high-risk clients and overall compliance performance. Qualifications & Skills:
• CAMS, ICA, ACFCS or equivalent is preferred
• 3-5 years in a managerial/ team leadership capacity
• Demonstrates integrity, maintains confidentiality, exercises sound independent judgment, apply risk-based decision-making, and works effectively with minimal supervision.
• High proficiency and understanding of Microsoft Office
• Compliance and knowledge of AML laws and regulation and Risk Management