Senior Sanction Compliance Officer | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Senior Sanction Compliance Officer

ADIB - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Job Description

Role: Senior Sanction Compliance Officer
Location: Abu Dhabi

Role Purpose:
Provide 'Subject Matter Expertise' (SME) advice, guidance and input on Sanctions regulations (comprehensive and list based) including payment screening, policy and procedure and delivering training.
To ensure compliance and enhance efficiency through executing and monitoring transaction activity performed in branches & Business departments.
To advise and report compliance activities to the Head of Compliance & AML & CFT monitoring Transactions Head through the Team Head.

Key Accountabilities of the role:

• Provide compliance approval for Payment Screening alerts (wire transfers/ trade transactions) escalated to L3.
• Review and take necessary action on Name Screening alerts escalated to L3.
• Provide advice/guidance to all lines of business and COC teams on Sanctions regulations internal Sanctions policies.
• Review the response to RFIs received from various correspondent banks for possible Sanctions violations.
• Provide SME guidance on for new and existing Sanctions related projects such as new products and IT systems.
• Provide SME guidance on reputational and Sanctions risk arising from customers and transactions.
• Provide SME input for updating existing Policies, Procedures, Guidance documents, training material in line with the regulatory requirements.
• Provide SME guidance on managing the exit of customers arising due to Sanctions risk.
• Perform adhoc investigations and analysis in support of Sanctions investigations, regulatory inquiries as and when required. Thoroughly document and maintain related investigation files.
• Ensure escalation of significant Sanctions related matters to the Head Sanctions or Head of FCC.
• Provide SME guidance on the production and delivery of Sanctions related training material (eLearning and Face to Face).
• Participate and support in the delivery of face to face training on Sanctions.
• Remain current on TFS and AML / CFT regulations.

Specialist Skills / Technical Knowledge Required for this role:

• Exemplary knowledge on UN, EU, UK and US Economic Sanctions (OFAC) / Export Controls, laws.
• Exemplary knowledge and experience of providing Subject Matter input for Sanction policies, systems and trainings.
• Ability to provide and deliver sanction training.
• Strong knowledge and experience of having provided Sanction advice to all types of business and operations covering all types of customers.
• Good analytical/review/assessment skills of sanctions compliance procedures and sanction screening systems.
• Ability to build constructive and effective relationships with peers and seniors.
• Strong analytical, written and oral communication skills.
• Relationship building.
• Sound judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Independence of thought and initiative.
• Ability to be a self-starter and work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to interact with all functions and levels including senior management.
• Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
• Analytical mind, good communication and self-motivated, detail oriented.
• Fluent in English (Ability to read and communicate in Arabic Language will be an added advantage).

Previous experience:
Min 5 years of experience in banking or financial services sector of which a minimum of 3 years must be in Sanctions role of financial institution.