Compliance Officer

Job Title:
Compliance Officer – Virtual Assets (VARA Regulated)

Location:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Employment Type:
Full-Time (Onshore UAE)

About the Role:
We are a VARA-regulated Virtual Asset Service Provider operating in Dubai. We are appointing a senior Compliance Officer to take full ownership of our regulatory compliance framework and act as the primary interface with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

This is a regulated control function. Only candidates who meet VARA eligibility requirements should apply.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Compliance Management System in line with VARA regulations.
• Act as the primary regulatory liaison with VARA, including inspections, submissions, notifications, and ongoing supervision.
• Develop and maintain all compliance policies, procedures, and controls covering all licensed virtual asset activities.
• Own the AML/CFT framework, including Business Risk Assessments, Client Risk Assessments, and transaction monitoring oversight.
• Ensure compliance with UAE AML laws, FATF standards, Targeted Financial Sanctions, Proliferation Financing controls, and Travel Rule obligations.
• Report compliance matters, breaches, and remediation plans directly to the Board of Directors.
• Oversee staff compliance training and awareness programs.
• Review and assess regulatory impact of new products, technologies, and business model changes.
• Coordinate with Technology, Risk, Legal, and Operations teams to ensure regulatory alignment.
• Prepare and submit regulatory reports and notifications within mandated timelines.
• Support regulatory audits, supervisory reviews, and remediation actions.

Mandatory Requirements (Applications Without These Will Be Rejected):

• Minimum 5 years of compliance experience in regulated financial services.
• Prior experience with crypto, fintech, securities, or financial markets regulation.
• Strong working knowledge of VARA regulations and UAE AML/CFT framework.
• UAE residency is mandatory.
• Ability to act as a full-time, independent control function.
• Clean regulatory and disciplinary record.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.

Highly Preferred:

• Previous approval as Compliance Officer or MLRO by VARA, DFSA, SCA, FCA, or equivalent regulator.
• CAMS, ICA, or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience handling regulatory inspections and remediation programs.

Reporting Line:
Direct report to the Board of Directors.

Regulatory Note:
This role is subject to VARA Fit and Proper approval.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: AED6,000.00 - AED12,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person