Compliance Officer - Digital Assets

J. Awan & Partners

Mission / Purpose of the Role
The purpose of this role is to support the Firm's growth and client success by assisting in managing crypto and digital asset mandates. The role involves supporting regulatory licensing, compliance framework implementation, maintaining regulator relationships, and assisting in business development across the Region.

Key Accountabilities
Accountability Area
Key Responsibilities
Success Indicators
Regulatory Licensing & Advisory
Support the delivery of crypto and digital asset licensing with DFSA, ADGM, VARA, QFCRA, MAS, FCA, FINMA and other regulators.
Licenses processed efficiently and approved without unnecessary delays.
Client Compliance Support
Provide timely and effective compliance support to clients.
Clients meet regulatory requirements with minimal escalations.
Compliance & AML Frameworks
Assist in implementing and maintaining compliance and AML programs aligned to regulatory expectations with the digital asset space.
Compliance frameworks are functional and regulator ready.
Regulatory Monitoring
Keeping abreast of relevant laws, rules, and regulations (e.g. DFSA, ADGM, VARA, QFCRA, MAS, FCA, FINMA) and ensuring that any changes are reported and reflected in the relevant policies, procedures, and compliance programs.
Timely identification of regulatory changes. Prompt updates to compliance documentation. No regulatory gaps identified.
Business Development Support
Support proposals and cross-sell services.
Contribution to pipeline and client engagement initiatives.
Monitoring, Reporting & Advisory
Where relevant, support compliance monitoring, reporting, and regulatory correspondence.
Timely reporting and issue resolution.

Core Competencies

• Analytical & Problem-Solving Ability: Exceptional capability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and translate them into actionable, practical solutions across diverse client mandates.
• Operational Excellence: Proven track record executing compliance and AML programs to a high standard, managing multiple priorities, and delivering consistently against deadlines.
• Stakeholder & Regulator Engagement: Skilled at building trusted partnerships with clients, regulators, and internal teams, with the cultural agility to operate effectively across diverse organisations and jurisdictions.
• Client Relationship & Commercial Acumen: Experienced in supporting and growing client relationships, with an understanding of how compliance capability drives organisational effectiveness and commercial value.

Role-Specific Competencies

• Regulatory Expertise & Compliance Governance: Demonstrable experience engaging with regulatory authorities across the region, including digital assets and virtual assets regulatory frameworks, with the ability to design and implement fit-for-purpose compliance and AML programs.
• Digital & Virtual Assets Regulatory Expertise: Hands-on experience supporting virtual and digital asset regulatory licensing across key jurisdictions, with deep awareness of global regulatory trends affecting virtual asset businesses and the ability to translate requirements into operational compliance frameworks.
• Compliance & AML: Proven ability to design, implement, and oversee AML and compliance frameworks tailored to digital and virtual asset businesses, with working knowledge of obligations across regulatory regimes including but not limited to DFSA, ADGM, QFCRA, FCA, and CMA.
• KYC & Regulatory Delivery: Strong KYC and due diligence capability including risk classification and SLA-driven delivery within digital asset and financial services contexts, with the ability to convert evolving crypto regulatory requirements into fit-for-purpose policies and procedures.
• CO & MLRO Support: Ability to support and deliver Compliance Officer and MLRO activities across virtual asset and traditional financial services mandates, managing multiple obligations simultaneously under pressure.
• Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement: Skilled communicator with experience engaging regulators, clients, and senior leadership on virtual and digital asset compliance matters, with the interpersonal capability to build trusted, productive working relationships.

Skills and Knowledge

• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of applicable regulatory frameworks including but not limited to DFSA, ADGM, VARA, QFCRA, MAS, FCA, FINMA, with proven experience interacting with regulatory authorities with regards to digital, virtual assets, and financial services regulation.
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (additional languages an advantage), with the ability to interact effectively at all organisational levels and deliver clear, professional presentations to clients, regulators, and senior leadership.
• Organisation, Execution & Attention to Detail: Highly motivated and organised self-starter; capable of managing multiple priorities, maintaining structured workflows, and delivering high-quality outputs independently under pressure.
• Professional Integrity & Accountability: Displays discipline, accountability, confidentiality, and high ethical standards in all professional activities, with the resilience to thrive in fast-paced environments while consistently delivering quality outcomes.