CO/MLRO

Role: Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CO/MLRO)Regulated Entity: FSRA and DFSA Primary Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesRegulatory Status: Approved Person – Compliance Officer & MLRO (FSRA / DFSA)ROLE PURPOSE:The CO/MLRO is a senior control function holder, with primary responsibility for regulatory compliance, AML/CFT oversight, licensing, and governance businesses regulated by the FSRA, DFSA and/or VAR in the UAE.Key Responsibilities – Regulatory Licensing & Authorizations Lead and manage end-to-end licensing, authorization, and variation of permission applications with the FSRA, DFSA, and VARA for digital asset, virtual asset, and crypto exchange activities.Act as the primary regulatory liaison for all license applications, regulatory submissions, and post-authorization supervisory engagements.Prepare and oversee regulatory business plans, compliance frameworks, AML/CTF frameworks, governance documents, and Approved Person submissions required for authorization.Coordinate responses to regulatory queries, information requests, thematic reviews, and inspections conducted by FSRA, DFSA, or VARA.Ensure ongoing compliance with license conditions, regulatory commitments, and supervisory action plans.Key Responsibilities – Compliance Oversight Serve as the principal point of contact with the FSRA and DFSA for all compliance matters.Design, implement, and maintain compliance frameworks tailored to virtual assets, digital assets, and crypto exchange operations.Ensure compliance across products including token listings, spot trading, wallets, custody solutions, staking, and stablecoins.Monitor regulatory developments impacting digital assets (FSRA, DFSA, VARA awareness) and ensure timely policy updates.Develop and execute a risk-based Compliance Monitoring Programme and annual compliance plan.Oversee all regulatory filings, notifications, approvals, and periodic reporting obligations.Provide regular compliance reporting to the Senior Executive Officer (SEO), Governing Body, and Board committees.Key Responsibilities – AML/CFT & Financial Crime Act as the MLRO and primary point of contact with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and competent authorities.Establish, implement, and maintain AML/CFT, sanctions, and counter-proliferation financing frameworks aligned with FSRA and DFSA AML Rulebooks.Oversee crypto-specific AML controls including blockchain analytics and transaction monitoring tools.Ensure compliance with Travel Rule requirements, ongoing monitoring obligations, and STR/SAR reporting.Conduct enterprise-wide AML and financial crime risk assessments covering custody risks, smart contract risks, cross-border flows, and fraud typologies.Deliver AML/CFT training to staff, senior management, and Board members.Governance, Risk & Assurance Advise the Board and senior management on regulatory risks and compliance matters. Identify, assess, and mitigate regulatory, operational, and financial crime risks.Coordinate regulatory audits, inspections, and independent reviews, managing remediation actions to closure.Maintain regulatory registers including breaches, complaints, training records, regulatory correspondence, and suspicious transactions.Embed compliance-by-design principles within technology, product development, and blockchain integrations.Experience & Competency Requirements University degree in law, compliance, finance, risk management, or a related discipline.Relevant compliance and regulatory experience, with strong exposure to virtual assets, digital assets, or crypto exchange businesses.Prior experience as an Approved Person, Compliance Officer, MLRO, or Head of Compliance in a regulated environment.Strong working knowledge of FSRA and DFSA regulatory experience is highly desirable.Hands-on experience with AML/KYC frameworks. Ability to operate independently with sound judgment, seniority, integrity, and regulatory credibility.