Compliance Manager, Qatar

Role Overview

Compliance Manager, Qatar at Mashreq. This role supports the Chief Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer in managing day-to-day operations of the Qatar Compliance unit, ensuring adherence to the Bank's AML/KYC policies and procedures and regulatory requirements set by the Qatar Central Bank, while representing the Bank on all AML/CFT/Sanctions and regulatory compliance matters.

Role Purpose

To ensure the Qatar Compliance unit maintains full compliance with the Bank's internal policies and Qatar regulatory requirements, facilitate strong relationships between the Bank and regulatory authorities, and support the CCO and MLRO in developing compliance awareness and a strong compliance culture across Qatar branches.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Relations & Coordination

• Support CCO and MLRO to maintain contact with Qatar Central Bank and other regulatory authorities and agencies to ensure a strong working relationship.
• Facilitate and coordinate communication between Branches and Qatar Central Bank as necessary, seeking guidance from IBG-Compliance as appropriate.
• Respond in a timely manner to Compliance/AML/Sanctions related queries and investigations from Qatar Central Bank, Head Office, other regulators, and law enforcement agencies.
• Provide expert guidance to branches and units upon referrals and queries from regulatory bodies.

Policy & Procedure Management

• Support CCO and MLRO in ensuring the Bank's internal procedures and policies remain compliant with regulations and regulatory changes, providing guidance and advice to Branch Management as necessary.
• Support in developing, maintaining, and updating the local Compliance/AML Manual and ensure copies are provided to all Branch Staff.
• Ensure all Qatar Product Programs and Standard Operating Procedures are in compliance with Qatar Central Bank requirements and Mashreqbank's AML/KYC Policy.
• Liaise and support IBG-Compliance in implementation of the Bank's and Regulator's Compliance Policies and Requirements and roll-out of related systems and initiatives across Qatar branches.

Regulatory Communications

• Promptly communicate all Regulatory Notices and Circulars to all concerned areas, providing accurate Arabic and English translations as necessary.

Risk Management & Escalation

• Promptly escalate any high-risk issues, violations, or breaches to CCO, MLRO, and IBG-Compliance.
• Develop and monitor action plans for closure of escalated issues.
• Analyze suspicious transactions reported by units and branches and undertake investigations where required.
• Support the MLRO in submitting Suspicious Transaction Reports to Qatar Central Bank in a timely manner with complete and accurate information.

Compliance Culture & Training

• Provide support to CCO and MLRO in AML and Compliance Training to all Qatar staff on an ongoing basis to raise awareness and ensure all staff understand their responsibilities and obligations regarding Corporate and AML Policies and regulatory, legal, and statutory requirements.
• Encourage a strong compliance culture and environment in Qatar branches.
• Promote self-identification and reporting of all compliance issues, capturing them on Management Exception Reports, and sharing of issues with wider implications.

Business Partnership

• Maintain proactive relationships with business, facilitating timely involvement to ensure compliant solutions to business issues.
• Ensure that transactions are monitored in accordance with compliance requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• 7–10 years of banking experience with good understanding of products and operations environment, particularly regarding US and Qatar markets.
• Professional qualification in business, commerce, economics, or law.
• CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) certification or equivalent compliance certification.
• Sound knowledge of international banking practice, products, and services.
• Specific and/or transferable knowledge and experience related to compliance, AML, Sanctions, and Central Bank regulations.

Skills & Competencies

• Computer literate with strong command of written and spoken English.
• Arabic language skills (advantageous).