Head - Quality Assurance

Role purpose

Assurance and compliance

• Internal Shari’a audit provides independent third-line assurance on Shari’a governance, Shari’a non-compliance risk management, and internal Shari’a controls.
• The work includes adherence to Higher Shari’a Authority requirements, AAOIFI standards, and Internal Shari’a Supervisory Committee resolutions.
• Review Fatwas and resolutions, monitor Shari’a controls, and follow up on exceptions and compliance gaps.

Annual audit planning

• Update risk ratings for auditable entities, obtain missing business-unit information, revise audit scopes, determine overall Shari’a risk ratings, and select units for the next year.
• Assess audit staff competencies and allocate man-days according to the audit plan.
• Support ISSC approval and presentation of the annual plan, risk ratings, and scopes to the Board Audit Committee and relevant group heads.

Reporting and quality assurance

• Prepare biannual ISAG dashboards and assist with quarterly ISAG and ISSC activity reports.
• Review audit documents and planning materials, including the audit universe, charter, manual, authority letters, audit programs, resource allocations, and sample selections.
• Review consolidated exceptions, risk ratings, recommendations, action plans, detailed reports, and executive summaries.
• Coordinate report sharing and audit-approach alignment with Group Internal Audit; coordinate with Group Compliance on CBUAE requirements and closure of pending findings.

Systems and other duties

• Supervise proper functioning of the i-Shari’a Audit System and implementation and operation of business continuity planning.
• Attend internal meetings and training; complete ad hoc presentations, goal setting, mid-year review, and annual performance appraisal.

Qualifications and experience

• Chartered Accountant or bachelor’s degree from a reputable institute or university.
• 7–10 years’ experience in the audit profession.
• External, internal, or Shari’a audit experience at a Big Four audit firm and/or in Islamic banking.
• Internal audit or Shari’a audit certification such as CIA (IIA) or CSAA (AAOIFI-Bahrain).
• English and Arabic language skills, plus MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills.