Compliance Officer/MLRO

Compliance Officer & MLRO — VARA-Regulated VASP

Location: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Digital Assets / Virtual Assets

Regulatory Framework: VARA

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Company

We are working with a leading VARA-regulated Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Dubai that is expanding its compliance function as the business continues to scale.

The firm is looking to appoint an experienced Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to take ownership of the compliance and AML framework and act as a key point of contact with the regulator.

The Role

This is a senior, hands-on compliance position with responsibility for ensuring the business operates in line with VARA requirements, applicable UAE legislation and international best practice .

You will work closely with senior management and the wider business, providing regulatory advice while maintaining robust AML/CFT, compliance monitoring and regulatory reporting frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Compliance Officer and MLRO , with responsibility for the firm's compliance and AML/CFT framework.
• Maintain and enhance policies, procedures and controls in line with VARA regulations and applicable UAE requirements .
• Act as a key regulatory contact and support the business in its engagement with VARA.
• Oversee the firm's AML/CFT, sanctions and financial crime compliance framework.
• Conduct and oversee compliance risk assessments, including customer, product and jurisdictional risk.
• Develop and execute the annual compliance monitoring programme.
• Provide regulatory advice to senior management and business teams on new and existing products and activities.
• Oversee customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, transaction monitoring and suspicious transaction reporting.
• Ensure appropriate identification, escalation and reporting of suspicious activity.
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the business.
• Prepare compliance and regulatory reports for senior management and the Board.
• Support regulatory examinations, inspections and information requests.
• Deliver compliance and AML training across the organisation.
• Work closely with Risk, Legal, Operations and other control functions to maintain a strong compliance culture.

Requirements

• Significant experience in compliance and digital assets .
• Strong knowledge of UAE AML/CFT requirements and VARA's regulatory framework .
• Previous experience working within a VARA-regulated VASP is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of virtual asset products, blockchain technology and the associated financial crime risks.
• Proven experience operating as an MLRO or Deputy MLRO , ideally within a regulated financial services or digital asset environment.
• Experience dealing directly with regulators and responding to regulatory requests or examinations.
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT, sanctions, KYC/CDD, transaction monitoring and financial crime risk management.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to advise and challenge senior stakeholders.
• Relevant professional qualifications such as CAMS, ICA, CISI or equivalent are desirable.
• Strong analytical, organisational and stakeholder-management skills.