Senior Specialist – Supervision (Intermediary)

Role Overview

Senior Specialist – Supervision (Intermediary) at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), United Arab Emirates.

Company Overview

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) is responsible for the regulation of Financial Services activities in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an award-winning international financial centre strategically located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

ADGM comprises three independent authorities: the Registration Authority (RA), the FSRA, and ADGM Courts. Together, they ensure ADGM operates in accordance with international best practices recognised by major financial centres worldwide.

The FSRA was established to foster a progressive financial services environment and uphold the integrity of ADGM. Its regulatory frameworks are benchmarked to global standards, ensuring financial entities operate with clarity and certainty, market participants compete on a level playing field, and investor interests are safeguarded.

The Fintech Department, within the Authorisation & Fintech Division of the FSRA, is responsible for the regulatory oversight of intermediary firms conducting regulated activities in relation to Virtual Assets (VAs) and Fiat-Referenced Tokens (FRTs). This includes entities engaged in issuance of FRTs, safekeeping of VAs/FRTs, VA-related trading and investments, and other non-exchange services.

The Fintech Supervision (Intermediary) team within this department provides day-to-day supervisory oversight of VA broker-dealer entities. These entities typically carry out regulated activities such as Dealing in Investments (as Principal or Agent) and Providing Custody under a Financial Services Permission (FSP) granted by the FSRA.

Role Purpose

This Senior Specialist role is directly responsible for the day-to-day supervisory oversight of virtual asset broker-dealer entities. The role addresses complex supervisory challenges posed by virtual asset intermediaries, including systemic risk considerations, cross-border regulatory coordination, and technology-driven business models. The role reports to the Manager – Supervision (Intermediary) and requires close collaboration with colleagues across the Authorisation & Fintech division and the wider FSRA.

Key Responsibilities

Supervision & Inspections

• Participate in desk-based and on-site inspections, reviewing policies, operations, and business models of supervised intermediaries to ensure alignment with the FSRA's regulatory framework.
• Support the Senior Manager and Manager in supervising intermediary firms carrying out regulated activities in relation to Virtual Assets and Fiat-Referenced Tokens, focusing on detailed reviews, regulatory returns, and risk assessments relevant to firm-level risks such as prudential, operational, conduct, and financial crime.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Assist with the development and follow-up of risk mitigation plans, thematic reviews, and regulatory reporting associated with intermediary firms.
• Assist in the development of regulatory frameworks to address risks faced by regulated entities' adoption and use of virtual assets, including new products offered by regulated entities.
• Contribute to the administration of regulations, rules and risk management for the ongoing supervision of intermediary firms.

Stakeholder Liaison

• Liaise with regulated firms to address issues identified during supervision and facilitate improvement in governance and risk management practices.

Reporting

• Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reporting by Fintech.

Strategic Development

• Continuously improve intermediary supervision practices to ensure that ADGM takes a leading role in virtual asset and stablecoin related market developments.

People Management

• Support the Manager in ensuring that Supervision (Intermediary) operates responsibly and proficiently.
• Embed the culture and vision in Fintech by role-modelling organisational behaviours through performance management, feedback and coaching.

Information Security

• Understand, adopt, adhere and practice responsibilities and controls as per ADGM Information Security policy and as per best practices explained in the induction and awareness sessions.
• Maintain Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of ADGM Information at all times, both within and outside ADGM.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum Bachelor's degree, professionally qualified in Finance, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in compliance, risk assessment, regulatory review, or external/internal audit for financial intermediaries.
• Qualifications or competency relating to blockchain technologies, digital assets or related disciplines.

Skills & Competencies

• Good written and oral communication skills; able to clearly report findings and recommendations.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in team-based environments and to influence both internal and external stakeholders.
• High standard of personal ethics, integrity, and responsibility.

Additional Information

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• Advanced degree or professional certifications in compliance or risk management (e.g., ICA, ACAMS, CFA).
• Familiarity with supervisory technology (SupTech) and regulatory technology (RegTech) systems.
• Experience working on or supporting regulatory inspections, thematic reviews, or remediation programs at regulator or within regulated firms.
• Project management experience, preferably within a financial supervisory context.
• Exposure to ADGM or UAE regulatory systems and standards.
• Proficiency in Arabic language and understanding of multicultural environments.
• Familiarity with ADGM-specific rules and business culture.
• Exposure to international regulatory engagement and policy development.