Head of Compliance (Crypto only)

Role

The Compliance Officer (CO) / Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) at Cicada Group is responsible for ensuring the Group’s adherence to all VARA regulatory obligations, with a strong focus on Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF), and the broader compliance framework under VARA’s Virtual Asset regime.

This dual-role officer plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining a culture of compliance, managing internal controls, and serving as the primary liaison with VARA on all compliance and AML/CTF matters across Cicada Group’s operations.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance Duties

• Develop, maintain, and oversee Cicada Group’s compliance framework in line with VARA regulations and Virtual Asset permissions.
• Ensure all internal policies, procedures, and controls remain current, effective, and consistent with regulatory expectations.
• Conduct internal compliance monitoring, gap assessments, and periodic reviews.
• Prepare and submit all regulatory filings, notifications, and reports to VARA within prescribed timelines.
• Act as the Group’s key contact point for VARA during supervisory engagements, audits, and inspections.
• Advise senior management and the Board on regulatory developments, licensing obligations, and conduct of business rules.
• Deliver compliance training across the Group to ensure awareness and adherence to rules and standards.

MLRO Duties

• Serve as Cicada Group’s registered MLRO and main contact with VARA on AML/CTF matters.
• Maintain and implement the Group’s AML/CTF Policy, Risk Assessment, and Client Due Diligence (CDD) framework.
• Oversee robust KYC, CDD, and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) processes for client onboarding and monitoring.
• Supervise transaction monitoring, Travel Rule compliance, and review alerts to identify and report suspicious activities via SARs to the UAE FIU and VARA.
• Maintain accurate records of all AML/CTF-related investigations, decisions, and communications.
• Conduct periodic AML/CTF risk assessments and enhance controls to address emerging risks.
• Provide AML/CTF training and updates to relevant staff, covering typologies and red flag indicators.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Business, or a related field (advanced degrees preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in compliance and/or AML roles within financial services, ideally including digital assets or fintech.
• Strong knowledge of VARA regulations, UAE Federal AML/CTF requirements, and their application to Virtual Asset businesses.
• Demonstrated experience liaising with regulators and managing inspections or audits.
• Hands-on experience with AML systems, transaction monitoring, and regulatory reporting tools.
• Professional certifications such as CAMS, ICA, or equivalent are strongly preferred.

Job Type: Full-time