Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)

Role Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the AML/CFT Policy, ensuring ongoing compliance with VARA regulations, UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, and FATF Recommendations;
• Receive, evaluate, and make determinations on all internal suspicious activity reports;
• File Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) via the GoAML platform;
• Oversee the Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) processes, including PEP screening, sanctions screening, and source of funds verification;
• Manage the relationship with the KYC provider (Sumsub) and on-chain analytics provider (Chainalysis) to ensure effective ongoing monitoring;
• Conduct and maintain the enterprise-wide AML/CFT risk assessment, updating it at least annually or upon material business changes;
• Provide monthly AML/CFT reports to the Board, including STR activity, screening results, risk assessment updates, and compliance metrics;
• Design and deliver AML/CFT training for all staff within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter;
• Liaise with VARA, the UAE FIU, and other regulatory authorities on AML/CFT matters, inspections, and information requests;
• Oversee sanctions compliance, including UAE Local Terrorist List, UN, OFAC, EU, and OFSI screening via automated tools;
• Ensure Travel Rule compliance for cross-VASP transfers per FATF Recommendation 16;
• Maintain AML/CFT records for a minimum of 8 years per UAE law;
• Coordinate with the internal auditor on quarterly AML/CFT controls testing and remediate findings;
• Support the VARA licensing process and respond to regulatory queries during application review.

Essential

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in an AML/CFT compliance role, ideally within a VASP, fintech, or regulated financial institution;
• Thorough knowledge of UAE AML/CFT legislation, VARA regulations, and FATF guidance on Virtual Assets and VASPs;
• Experience filing STRs and managing regulatory relationships;
• Understanding of blockchain technology, virtual asset transactions, and on-chain analytics;
• Ability to work independently and build compliance processes from the ground up;
• UAE resident or willing to relocate immediately;
• Must meet VARA’s Fit & Proper Person requirements.

Preferred

• Professional AML/CFT qualification: CAMS (ACAMS), ICA Certificate in AML, or equivalent;
• Experience with VARA-regulated entities or VARA application processes;
• Experience with Sumsub, Chainalysis, or comparable KYC/AML tooling;
• Experience with real estate tokenization, XRPL, or ERC-1400 security tokens;
• Arabic language skills (advantageous but not required).

What We Offer

• Founding compliance role in a VARA-regulated fintech — shape the function from scratch;
• Direct Board reporting line and personal regulatory accountability;
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience (to be discussed);
• Opportunity to grow into a broader compliance leadership role as the company scales;
• Small, fast-moving team with direct access to the CEO and Board.