Compliance Officer & MLRO - (VARA)

Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CO/MLRO)Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesRegulatory Coverage: FSRA and DFSA, with VARA exposureRegulatory Status: Approved Person – Compliance Officer and MLRORole OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer to lead the compliance and financial crime framework for regulated digital-asset activities in the UAE.This is a senior control-function role responsible for regulatory compliance, AML/CFT oversight, licensing, governance and regulatory engagement across FSRA- and DFSA-regulated businesses, with additional exposure to VARA requirements.The successful candidate will combine strong UAE regulatory knowledge with practical experience across institutional markets, digital assets, virtual assets or crypto-exchange operations.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Licensing and AuthorisationsLead end-to-end licensing, authorisation and variation-of-permission applications with the FSRA, DFSA and, where applicable, VARA.Manage applications relating to digital assets, virtual assets and institutional crypto-exchange activities.Act as the principal point of contact for regulatory applications, submissions and post-authorisation supervisory matters.Prepare and oversee regulatory business plans, compliance manuals, AML/CFT frameworks, governance documentation and Approved Person applications.Coordinate responses to regulatory enquiries, information requests, thematic reviews and inspections.Monitor compliance with licence conditions, regulatory commitments and supervisory action plans.Compliance OversightServe as the principal compliance contact for the FSRA and DFSA.Design, implement and maintain proportionate compliance frameworks for institutional digital-asset and crypto-exchange operations.Provide compliance oversight across products and services including token listings, spot trading, custody, wallets, staking and stablecoins.Monitor regulatory developments across the FSRA, DFSA and VARA regimes, ensuring policies and procedures remain current.Develop and execute the annual compliance plan and risk-based Compliance Monitoring Programme.Oversee regulatory filings, notifications, approvals and periodic reporting requirements.Provide clear and timely compliance reporting to the Senior Executive Officer, governing body and relevant Board committees.Advise the business on the regulatory implications of new products, markets, partnerships and commercial initiatives.AML/CFT and Financial CrimeAct as MLRO and the primary contact for the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit and other competent authorities.Establish and maintain effective AML/CFT, sanctions and counter-proliferation financing frameworks aligned with applicable FSRA and DFSA requirements.Oversee digital-asset financial crime controls, including blockchain analytics and transaction-monitoring systems.Ensure compliance with Travel Rule requirements, customer and transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and STR/SAR reporting obligations.Lead enterprise-wide AML and financial crime risk assessments covering custody, smart contracts, cross-border flows, fraud and emerging digital-asset typologies.Review and escalate suspicious activity, regulatory breaches and material financial crime matters.Deliver effective AML/CFT and financial crime training to employees, senior management and Board members.Governance, Risk and AssuranceAdvise the Board and senior management on regulatory, compliance and financial crime risks.Identify, assess and support the mitigation of regulatory, operational and conduct risks.Coordinate regulatory inspections, external audits and independent compliance reviews, managing remediation actions through to completion.Maintain accurate regulatory records, including breaches, complaints, training, regulatory correspondence and suspicious activity.Embed compliance-by-design principles across technology, product development and blockchain integrations.Promote a strong culture of compliance, accountability and regulatory integrity throughout the organisation.Experience and CompetenciesA university degree in law, finance, compliance, risk management or a related discipline.Significant compliance and regulatory experience within institutional financial markets.Demonstrable experience across digital assets, virtual assets, crypto exchanges or related financial services.Previous experience as an Approved Person, Compliance Officer, MLRO or Head of Compliance within a regulated organisation.Strong working knowledge of the FSRA and/or DFSA regulatory frameworks.Practical exposure to VARA requirements is highly desirable.Hands-on experience developing and operating AML/KYC, sanctions, transaction-monitoring and financial crime frameworks.Understanding of institutional trading, custody, token-listing and digital-asset product risks.Experience engaging directly with regulators and managing licensing or authorisation processes.Ability to operate independently and exercise sound commercial and regulatory judgement.Strong communication skills, personal integrity and credibility with regulators, senior management and Board-level stakeholders.