Compliance Monitoring Specialist

J. Awan & Partners

Job Title:
Compliance Monitoring Specialist
Department:
Legal / Compliance / GRC
Reports To:
Head of Compliance / Head of GRC
Location:
Dubai
Direct Reports:
None

Mission / Purpose of the Role

To design, execute, and continuously strengthen a risk based compliance monitoring framework that enhances regulatory adherence, improves control effectiveness, and reduces exposure to regulatory risk across client engagements and internal operations.

12 18 Month Mission Outcomes

• Deliver a first draft of the Annual Compliance Monitoring Plan within 90 days and complete 95% of scheduled reviews on time.
• Achieve a 20% reduction in repeat findings within 12 months and ensure all high risk findings are tracked to closure.
• Produce clear, risk ranked compliance monitoring reports with 100% on time delivery and 8/10 stakeholder satisfaction.
• Ensure the monitoring framework is updated within 30 days of major regulatory changes.
• Maintain zero adverse regulatory findings attributable to monitoring gaps.

Key Accountabilities

1. Compliance Monitoring Execution

• Develop and execute risk based compliance monitoring plans.
• Conduct thematic and routine monitoring reviews across clients and internal operations.
• Perform control testing and evidence based assessments.
• Identify root causes of control weaknesses and ensure remediation actions are fully tracked to closure.

2. Regulatory Analysis & Gap Assessment

• Interpret financial services regulations across relevant jurisdictions.
• Conduct gap analyses against policies, procedures, and regulatory expectations.
• Monitor regulatory developments and reflect required updates in the monitoring programme.

3. Reporting & Governance

• Produce clear, defensible, risk ranked monitoring reports suitable for senior management and regulators.
• Present findings and escalate material risks when necessary.
• Maintain accurate documentation, working papers, and audit trails.

4. Continuous Improvement

• Enhance monitoring methodologies and risk rating frameworks.
• Improve reporting quality, clarity, and governance transparency.
• Contribute to training and knowledge sharing on monitoring best practices.

Core Competencies

• High integrity and strict confidentiality.
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership.
• Analytical rigor and sound regulatory interpretation skills.
• Effective collaboration with internal teams and clients.
• Commitment to quality, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

Role Specific Competencies

• Deep understanding of financial services regulations and supervisory expectations.
• Ability to perform structured compliance reviews and control testing.
• Strong root cause analysis capability with sustainable recommendations.
• Skilled in preparing concise, risk prioritised reports.
• Confidence in escalating issues and challenging weak controls.
• Ability to manage multiple monitoring assignments across jurisdictions.
• Strong communication skills with senior stakeholders.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong English verbal and written communication.
• Excellent problem solving and independent working capability.
• Proficiency in risk based monitoring and control testing techniques.
• Experience in regulatory interpretation, gap analysis, and GRC frameworks.
• Strong documentation and audit trail management.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Strong time management and multi tasking ability.