AML & Regulatory Compliance Lead

Key Accountabilities:

1. Financial Crime Compliance (AML/CFT, Sanctions & Fraud)

• Support the MLRO in maintaining and enhancing duPay’s AML/CFT, sanctions, fraud, and financial crime frameworks in line with regulatory requirements and industry best practice.

• Oversee the effective operation of CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and suspicious activity reporting processes.

• Review, assess, and escalate complex or high-risk financial crime matters to the MLRO, including the preparation of internal and external reports, as appropriate.

• Perform specific delegated MLRO activities only where formally authorised, documented, and approved, without assuming primary MLRO responsibility.

2. Regulatory Compliance Oversight & Advisory

• Hold responsibility for day-to-day regulatory compliance across duPay, providing pragmatic and timely advice to the business on applicable regulatory requirements.

• Advise on conduct risk, consumer protection, complaints handling, outsourcing, payments regulation, and other relevant regulatory obligations.

• Support the CCRO in overseeing the regulatory change management by identifying, assessing, and implementing changes arising from new or amended laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance. Track regulatory change management until completion.

• Support regulatory interactions by preparing materials, coordinating responses, and attending meetings as required, under the direction of the CCRO and MLRO.

3. Policies, Frameworks & Governance

• Support the development, review, and maintenance of compliance and financial crime policies, procedures, and frameworks, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, Group standards, and duPay’s risk appetite.

• Support governance forums and committees by preparing papers, management information, risk assessments, and regulatory updates for senior management and the Board.

• Assist in the preparation and coordination of regulatory submissions, attestations, and responses to regulatory enquiries.

4. Monitoring, Assurance & Risk Management

• Support the design and oversee risk-based compliance monitoring and testing programmes covering both financial crime and broader regulatory obligations.

• Identify control gaps and weaknesses, oversee remediation plans, and track the timely resolution of audit, risk, and regulatory findings.

• Contribute to enterprise-wide risk assessments, including compliance risk assessments, AML/financial crime risk assessments, and periodic thematic reviews.

• Support reviews and internal assurance activities ensuring compliance audit findings are appropriately documented and escalated.

5. Leadership, Culture & Training

• Provide leadership, oversight, and mentoring to compliance team members, supporting professional development and succession planning.

• Promote a strong culture of compliance and ethical conduct across duPay through effective communication, training, and constructive challenge.

• Support the design and delivery of compliance and AML training programmes tailored to different roles and seniority levels.

6. Business Enablement & Integration

• Partner with product, technology, operations, and commercial teams to embed compliance requirements into new products, services, and partnerships from inception.

• Apply a proportionate, risk-based approach that supports innovation while meeting regulatory expectations.

• Monitor regulatory, fintech, and industry developments to ensure duPay’s compliance framework remains current and forward-looking.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills:

Qualification:

• Advanced Legal Education/ A Master’s level degree in Law or a related field from a recognized institution/appropriate professional experience in substitute of a degree

Experience:

• Industry Expertise: A minimum of 6 years of experience as a Compliance/Legal professional within payment/e-money institutions, fintech, or financial regulatory agencies.

• Product/Service Knowledge: Profound experience and understanding of payments, e-money or wallet products/services, banking functions, Money Service Businesses (MSBs), and merchant processing.

• Regulatory Acumen: Demonstrable experience with UAE regulation, legal contracts, and compliance, with a particular focus on the financial sector and fintech.

• AML and Regulatory Compliance Management: Experience in developing, implementing, and managing Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and compliance programs, including risk assessment and mitigation.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to manage relationships with both internal stakeholders and external regulatory bodies.

Skills

• Regulatory Compliance: In-depth knowledge of applicable laws, regulations (especially SVF and RPSCS), and industry best practices in compliance (or transferrable knowledge from other jurisdictions).

• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze complex legal and regulatory materials and synthesize relevant information.

• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal and compliance information in a clear and concise manner.

• Negotiation Skills: Proficient in negotiating contracts and agreements while ensuring alignment with company policies and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

• Decision-Making: Demonstrated ability to make informed decisions, even in complex and high-pressure situations, ensuring that compliance risks are identified and mitigated.

• Leadership and Management: Proven leadership and management skills, with the ability to develop and oversee compliance programs and guide and train teams effectively.

• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing regulatory environments and update compliance programs and company policies accordingly.