Compliance Officer (UAE National)

About This Role

At Terracotta – Driving Business Growth in Recruitment, Outsourcing & Corporate Services

We are a leading outsourcing company in the UAE, delivering recruitment, manpower, visa outsourcing, EOR/PEO, business setup and PRO services across the region.

At Terracotta, your voice counts, your ideas matter, and your success is celebrated.

Compliance Officer (Fixed-Term Contract)

Global Corporate & Investment Banking – DIFC Branch

Location: Dubai, UAE (DIFC)

Reporting Line: Chief Compliance Officer

Contract Type: 1-Year Fixed-Term Contract (FTC)

Role Purpose

As the Compliance Officer (CO) , you will serve as the central subject matter expert for all Regulatory Compliance, Financial Security, and KYC-related matters for our DIFC branch. You will ensure that all business activities remain in strict alignment with Global Group Policies , UAE Federal Laws , and the DFSA Rulebook , maintaining our reputation as a leader in ethical banking.

Core Responsibilities

1. Regulatory Compliance & AML Oversight

• DFSA Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and relevant UAE Federal authorities.
• AML Management: Oversee the day-to-day adherence to AML policies, systems, and controls.
• Reporting: Lead the identification, investigation, and submission of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) via the GoAML portal.
• Regulatory Watch: Maintain a comprehensive repository of evolving laws and ensure internal manuals are updated annually to reflect regulatory shifts.

2. Financial Security & Client Due Diligence (KYC/CDD)

• High-Risk Advisory: Provide expert guidance to Business Lines and Client Lifecycle Management teams regarding KYC, KYI, and KYX processes.
• Risk Decisioning: Render formal decisions on complex files, including PEPs , sanctioned jurisdictions, and opaque corporate structures.
• Strategic Committees: Actively contribute to the Client Acceptance Committee (CAC) and New Activity/Product Committees (TAC/NAC).
• Sanctions Monitoring: Oversee transaction monitoring against Global, Local, and OFAC sanctions lists.

3. Market Integrity & Professional Ethics

• Ethics Framework: Manage policies regarding Personal Account Dealings, Gifts & Hospitalities, and Conflicts of Interest.
• Surveillance & Investigations: Conduct investigations into ethical breaches and assist in the retrieval/analysis of electronic communications for audit purposes.

4. Protection of Client Interests (PIC)

• Product Governance: Validate that new banking products and marketing materials comply with local conduct of business rules.
• Complaint Resolution: Investigate client complaints related to compliance or professional conduct.
• Risk Assessments: Contribute to the RCSA (Risk and Control Self-Assessment) and independent testing frameworks.

Candidate Profile

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
• Experience: 3+ years in financial services with a specialized focus on Financial Security (KYC, AML, Sanctions, and Anti-Bribery & Corruption).
• Technical Expertise: Deep familiarity with diverse legal structures, including Trusts, PIVs, and complex Corporate vehicles .
• Soft Skills: High level of discretion, strong time management, and the ability to navigate high-pressure environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications: CAMS or ICA Diploma in Anti-Money Laundering.
• Industry Context: Prior experience within Wealth Management or a strong grasp of MEA/DFSA regulatory frameworks.

Key Contributions & Impact

• Cultivating a robust Compliance Culture through targeted workshops and employee training.
• Proposing technical enhancements to internal automated AML testing systems.
• Collaborating with Permanent Control Officers to bridge the gap between policy and operational implementation.