Job Description

Role : Senior Shari’a Compliance Officer

Location : Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose:

To ensure Shari’a compliance across the ADIB Group in accordance with the prevailing Higher Shari’a Authority (HSA) standards and resolutions, related ISSC Resolutions, and the applicable regulations issued by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The role encompasses supporting the management of receiving and recording new HSA and ISSC resolutions, ensuring their timely dissemination across the organization, conducting comprehensive gap assessments, evaluating associated risks and controls, and monitoring the implementation of action plans arising from these assessments.

Key Accountabilities of the role

Assist the team leader in effectively managing and supervising the SRA unit’s various functions and the team members in accordance with applicable procedures and policies.

• Ensure the timely dissemination and accurate recording of new HSA Resolutions and related ISSC Resolutions.
• Ensure precision in analysis of resolutions and input of their texts into the system, including accurate translation, when required.
• Coordinate with the team leader to thoroughly understand the Bank’s various business and operational functions and continuously assess them to accurately identify key stakeholders.
• Assist in maintaining an organized and up-to-date database of all resolutions for easy access and reference, using the applicable systems such as the Governance, Risk and Control (GRC) system.
• Assist in communicating new HSA Resolutions and other related resolutions or standards to relevant departments and stakeholders in accordance with the applicable procedures.
• Ensure clear understanding and effective implementation of these resolutions across the organization.
• Conduct comprehensive gap assessments (GA) against HSA Resolutions, identify obligations to relevant stakeholders, and accurately assess related risks and the effectiveness of existing controls, as directed by the team leader.
• Assist the team leader in identifying areas of Shari’a non-compliance and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Monitor the implementation of action plans derived from GA.
• Ensure timely and effective resolution of Shari’a compliance issues.
• Provide regular updates to the team leader on the status of obligations, action plans and any other issues.
• Assist in preparing relevant reports and dashboards to be provided to different stakeholders as per P&Ps.
• Assist in implementing and continuously refining ADIB’s related SCD’s related policies, procedures, and methodologies.
• Provide support to other SCD functions as and when required.

Specialist Skills / Technical Knowledge Required for this role:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Shari’a/Islamic banking or equivalent.
2. Reasonable academic skills or experience in Shari’a compliance.
3. AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications (or equivalent certifications).
4. Good knowledge of banking and Islamic banking products.
5. Very Good knowledge about principles of Islamic Commercial Jurisprudence, Shari’ah standards, products and Islamic banking operations
6. Good knowledge and experience of AAOIFI Shari’a Standards.
7. Excellent communication and presentation Skills.
8. Reasonable legal and compliance background.
9. Ability to balance between compliance requirements & business needs.
10. Fluent/proficiency in Arabic and English.

Previous experience:

5+ years of experience in Shari’a related functions in Islamic banking, preferably in Shari’a Compliance, Shari’a Consultation and/or Internal Shari’a Audit.