Chief Compliance Officer

About DVADigital assets are changing how value moves around the world, and the people using them deserve platforms they can trust. DVA is building regulated rails to drive the evolution of institutional digital asset markets across crypto trading, tokenisation, and digital asset infrastructure. Our clients range from large institutions through to retail investors. Our vision is to build products that are truly innovative in design, utility, accessibility and safety.As we scale, 2 things are essential to our success: trust and talent. We hold ourselves to the standards of the best-regulated institutions in finance, and we hire people who do the same. People who know crypto inside out, who have built control frameworks that regulators respect, and who make doing the right thing the fastest route to market.About the roleOur Compliance team is where regulatory expertise meets deep crypto knowledge. They make sure every product, listing and market we enter meets the highest regulatory standards, while giving the business the clarity it needs to move quickly.We're looking for a Chief Compliance Officer to lead that team and hold both of DVA's VARA-approved key functions: Compliance Officer (CO) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO). You'll own our relationship with VARA, set the compliance agenda at Board level, and build a function that stands alongside the best in the industry. This is not a sign-off role. We want a proven digital asset compliance leader who has done this before, at scale, under real regulatory scrutiny.Ready to set the standard for regulated crypto? Let's talk.What you'll be doingActing as DVA's VARA-approved Compliance Officer and MLRO, reporting directly to the Board, and our senior point of contact with VARA and other regulatorsOwning the compliance management system end to end: policies, risk appetite, the annual compliance risk assessment and the compliance monitoring programmeLeading licensing and authorisation work, from VARA licence variations to new jurisdictions (e.g. ADGM, FSRA, DFSA, MiCA, MAS, FCA, SEC, Offshore [Jersey, BVI, Guernsey, Cayman])Owning DVA's AML/CFT and sanctions framework as MLRO, including the business-wide risk assessment, customer risk scoring, blockchain analytics, Travel Rule compliance and transaction monitoringMaking the final call on escalated suspicious activity, filing STRs/SARs with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit via goAML, and acting as DVA's point of contact with the FIU and law enforcementProviding 2LoD challenge and sign-off on new products, token listings, partnerships and market launchesEnsuring market conduct, market abuse surveillance and marketing communications meet VARA rulesLeading regulatory inspections, thematic reviews and internal/external audits through to clean outcomesPreparing reports for the Board and its committees, escalating key or high-risk compliance issuesHiring, leading and developing a high-performing compliance functionWhat you'll need12+ years in compliance within regulated financial services, including 5+ years in a senior compliance leadership role5+ years leading compliance in digital assets at a top-tier exchange, custodian, broker or VASPDeep, hands-on AML/CFT expertise, including time as an MLRO or deputy MLRO, with direct experience of STR filing and FIU engagement in the UAEA recognised AML or compliance qualification (e.g. ICA Diploma, CAMS)Expert, current knowledge of the VARA Rulebooks (including Compliance & Risk Management, Market Conduct and Custody), UAE federal AML/CFT law, and FATF standards for virtual assets, including the Travel RuleA track record of taking a VASP through license expansion or a regulatory inspection successfullyDeep understanding of crypto-specific risks (e.g. stablecoins, DeFi exposure, staking, token listings, mixers and privacy coins) and hands-on use of blockchain analytics tools (e.g. Chainalysis, Elliptic, TRM Labs)The credibility to hold your ground with boards, regulators and banking partners, and the judgement to find a compliant way to say yesFluency in EnglishNice to havePrevious approval as Compliance Officer and/or MLRO at a VARA-licensed VASPExperience with other digital asset regimes (e.g. ADGM FSRA, MiCA, MAS, FCA, SEC, Offshore [Jersey, BVI, Guernsey, Cayman])Arabic language skillsAt least 2.5 years of compliance experience in the UAE, with direct, hands-on VARA engagement (licensing, supervision or inspections)UAE residency or a UAE passport, and the ability to be approved by VARA as a fit and proper, full-time Compliance Officer and MLROOur commitmentBuilding the most trusted platform in digital assets isn't enough on its own. Our team is a priority, and we know that diverse and talented teams build better, safer products for our customers. That's why we encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.Important notice for candidatesJob scams are on the rise, especially in crypto. Please keep these guidelines in mind when applying:Only apply through official DVA listing channels.Always check the emails you receive. All communication will come from an official @dvaex.io address.We will never ask for payment, wallet details, private keys or personal financial information during the hiring process. If anyone does, it's a scam. Report it immediately.By submitting this application, I confirm that the information I have provided is true to the best of my knowledge and that I have not wilfully withheld any material fact. I accept that if any information is found to be false or misleading, my application may be rejected, any offer withdrawn, or my employment terminated.