Compliance Officer

Job Description: Compliance Officer (AML / CFT Specialist)

Location: Dubai, UAE (Head Office) – With oversight of the Abu Dhabi Branch Operations

Experience: Minimum 3 years in UAE Real Estate Compliance

Reporting to: Executive Management / Board of Directors

We are seeking a highly meticulous and regulatory-driven Compliance Officer (AML/CFT Specialist) to manage and oversee the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework for our Dubai Head Office and Abu Dhabi Branch.

As a licensed real estate brokerage, our operations fall strictly under the DNFBP guidelines.

The successful candidate will be responsible for aligning our cross-emirate brokerage activities with the latest UAE Federal Laws (Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 and Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025), UAE FIU mandates, Dubai Land Department (DLD/RERA), and the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).

This position requires mandatory registration and official approval as the designated Compliance Officer on the Ministry of Economy (MoE) goAML platform.

The candidate must possess the requisite professional qualifications to clear this regulatory vetting process smoothly.

1.

Core AML / KYC & Regulatory Reporting (goAML)

Designated AML/CFT Oversight: Act as the primary, legally registered compliance officer for the Ministry of Economy (MoE) and the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (UAEFIU) via the goAML system.

goAML Platform Management: Execute full ownership of the company’s goAML profile.

Investigate internal escalations and prepare and submit high-quality Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) within required statutory timelines.

Real Estate Activity Reports (REAR): Monitor, audit, and log all freehold property transactions involving cash or virtual asset components that meet or exceed the AED 55,000 threshold.

Sanctions Screening Oversight: Supervise daily screening activities against the UAE Local Terrorist List and UN Consolidated List, ensuring immediate implementation of freezing mechanisms if any target match occurs.

2.

Customer Due Diligence (CDD) & Vendor Management

Advanced Client Onboarding: Manage Customer Due Diligence (CDD) for buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants across both branches.

Corporate & UBO Unmasking: Execute deep-dive verification for complex corporate clients, offshore entities, and trusts to accurately identify ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) before deal clearance.

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Apply comprehensive EDD protocols for high-risk clients, Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), and clients originating from FATF high-risk jurisdictions, including explicit verification of Source of Funds (SoF) and Source of Wealth (SoW).

Compliance Service Transition: Oversee the relationship with our current outsourced KYC screening provider in the short term.

As the company scales, lead the strategic evaluation, procurement, and deployment of in-house AML screening software (e.g., World-Check, Dow Jones, or equivalent) to replace the outsourced model.

Cross-Emirate Brokerage Compliance: Ensure absolute alignment with Dubai’s RERA, Trakheesi, DLD systems, and Abu Dhabi’s regulatory frameworks.

Contract Validation: Audit real estate documentation including Form A, Form B, Form F, and tenancy contracts to guarantee total regulatory adherence before deal execution.

Settlement Compliance Verification: Enforce strict verification of transaction payouts, ensuring foreign sellers receive proceeds directly into their own UAE bank accounts, strictly red-flagging unauthorized third-party transfers.

Audit Readiness & Maintenance: Maintain organized, secure, and easily retrievable AML registers (KYC logs, EDD files, REAR logs, and internal escalation reports).

Enforce the legal 5-year data retention mandate.

Internal Governance & Anti-Tipping-Off: Conduct periodic internal audits of brokerage files.

Strictly uphold confidentiality around internal investigations and goAML filings, ensuring zero "tipping-off" occurrences across the organization.

Frontline Advisory: Guide sales and leasing brokers on mandatory onboarding files, identifying behavioural red flags, and managing problematic client interactions.

Role-Based Training Programs: Structure and deliver mandatory AML/CFT refresher courses and onboarding training for brokers and administrative staff.

Bachelor’s degree in law, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Minimum 3 to 5 years of dedicated AML compliance experience specifically within a licensed UAE Real Estate Brokerage.

Exceptional command of English (written and verbal) for producing precise goAML narrative reports.

High ethical standards, absolute integrity, and the confidence to halt non-compliant transactions when necessary.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and relevant experience to [email protected]