Compliance Officer

Compliance Officer – Part time to Full time opportunity

(SCA-Regulated | UAE)

Employment Status

Part-time initially, with transition to full-time

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Compliance Officer to oversee our regulatory obligations within the Contracts for Difference (CFD) and derivatives sector, ensuring full compliance with the regulations and requirements of the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).

The Compliance Officer will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the firm’s compliance framework in accordance with SCA regulations, UAE federal laws, and regulatory circulars, ensuring CBCX meets all licensing, governance, and ongoing regulatory obligations.

This role will initially be offered on a part-time basis, reflecting the current stage of the firm’s operations. Subject to business growth, regulatory requirements, and performance, the role is intended to transition to full-time employment. During the part-time phase, the role holder will retain full accountability for compliance and regulatory oversight in line with SCA expectations.

The position involves close collaboration with senior management, Risk, Legal, Finance, and Operations teams, as well as direct engagement with regulators.

Key Responsibilities

1. Regulatory Compliance & Oversight

• Ensure the firm’s full compliance with all applicable SCA regulations, rules, and circulars governing CFD and derivatives activities.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the SCA regulatory framework, including licensing conditions, governance requirements, and ongoing compliance obligations.
• Monitor regulatory developments and proactively update internal policies, procedures, and controls.
• Ensure compliance with approved activities, regulatory permissions, and licence conditions imposed by the SCA.

2. CFD Product & Client Compliance

• Oversee compliance relating to CFD and derivatives products, including:
• Leverage and margin requirements
• Risk disclosures
• Client suitability and appropriateness assessments
• Ensure compliant client onboarding, classification, and documentation for retail, professional, and institutional clients.
• Review and approve all marketing, advertising, and client communications to ensure they are fair, clear, not misleading, and compliant with SCA financial promotion rules.

3. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & Financial Crime

• Ensure full compliance with UAE AML and CTF legislation, including:
• Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018
• Cabinet Resolution No. 10 of 2019
• Relevant SCA AML regulations and guidance
• Act as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) where required.
• Oversee KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, and ongoing monitoring processes.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial crime risks related to CFD trading activities.
• Ensure timely submission of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (goAML).

4. Monitoring & Regulatory Reporting

• Design and implement a risk-based compliance monitoring programme covering:
• Market conduct
• Client fund protection
• Conflicts of interest
• Market abuse and manipulation risks
• Prepare and submit required regulatory reports, notifications, and filings to the SCA.
• Escalate material breaches, incidents, or regulatory risks to senior management and regulators in accordance with reporting obligations.

5. Internal Policies, Governance & Controls

• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies and procedures covering:
• Regulatory compliance
• Conduct risk
• AML / CTF
• Conflicts of interest
• Ensure policies are embedded across all departments, particularly sales, trading, and client-facing teams.
• Conduct periodic compliance reviews, audits, and risk assessments, and oversee remediation actions where gaps are identified.

6. Training & Awareness

• Design and deliver ongoing compliance and AML training programmes in line with SCA expectations.
• Ensure employees understand their regulatory responsibilities, including client protection, AML, and market conduct.
• Maintain accurate training records for regulatory inspection purposes.

7. Regulatory Relationship Management

• Act as the primary point of contact with the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).
• Manage regulatory inspections, supervisory reviews, and information requests.
• Respond promptly and comprehensively to regulatory queries and findings.

8. Risk Management

• Monitor and assess compliance and regulatory risks associated with the firm’s CFD business.
• Work closely with Risk Management and senior management to ensure the firm’s risk framework aligns with SCA requirements.
• Support the implementation of controls to manage client exposure, leverage risk, and operational risk.

Employment Arrangement

• This role will initially be part-time, aligned with the firm’s current operational scale.
• The firm intends to transition the role to full-time employment as business activity increases and regulatory requirements expand.
• The role holder will be fully accountable for compliance and AML responsibilities during both phases, in accordance with SCA expectations for key control functions.

Key Skills & Qualifications

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Professional certifications such as ICA, CAMS, CISI, or equivalent are highly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 6 years’ experience in compliance within the financial services sector.
• Strong background in CFDs, derivatives, brokerage, or margin trading.
• Prior experience working with SCA-regulated entities or UAE onshore financial institutions is highly desirable.

Regulatory Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of:
• SCA regulations and circulars
• UAE AML / CTF laws
• Client onboarding and financial promotion rules
• Market conduct and client protection requirements

Skills & Attributes

Skills

• Strong analytical and regulatory interpretation skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
• High attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a regulated environment

Attributes

• High ethical standards and professional integrity
• Proactive and risk-focused mindset
• Adaptability to regulatory change
• Collaborative team player across Legal, Risk, Finance, and Operations

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: AED7,345.60 - AED18,364.00 per month

Expected hours: 25 – 35 per week

Application Question(s):

• Do you have valid right to work in UAE