Senior Officer - Shari’a Assessment & Testing

Role Overview

Senior Officer - Shari'a Assessment & Testing at ADIB, based in Abu Dhabi.

Role Purpose

Support the leadership team in maintaining Shari'a Compliance across the ADIB Group by continuously monitoring the Bank's business activities and operations in accordance with the prevailing standards and resolutions of the Higher Shari'a Authority (HSA), the relevant regulations issued by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), and the related resolutions of the Bank's Internal Shari'a Supervisory Committee (ISSC), in alignment with SCD policies, procedures, methodologies, and the policies and frameworks established by the ISCG.

Key Responsibilities

Assessment & Testing

• Implement the SAT's Annual Shari'a Assessment and Testing Plan in line with internal policies, procedures, and methodologies utilizing a risk-based methodology.
• Utilize systems such as the Governance, Risk and Control (GRC) platform to support assessment activities.
• Perform thorough Shari'a monitoring and assurance reviews across the Bank's business units, functions, and departments.
• Evaluate operations and transactions for compliance with HSA standards and CBUAE regulations and other regulating bodies.

Compliance Monitoring

• Assist with continuous monitoring and enhancement of the compliance of the Bank's business and operations with prevailing HSA standards and resolutions, related ISSC Resolutions, and any other CBUAE requirements.
• Assist the team in assessing and evaluating Shari'a Non-Compliance (SNC) Risks and related controls.
• Maintain regular coordination with Business Units and Operational Risk Management teams to identify issues and develop and implement effective controls.
• Monitor the implementation of action plans derived from field reviews.

Reporting & Communication

• Assist in drafting detailed reports on review findings and results.
• Communicate reports effectively to the leadership team.
• Assist in developing information management reporting when required for the appropriate committees and forms.

Team & Leadership Support

• Assist the Head of the Unit in effectively managing and supervising the SAT unit's various functions and team members in accordance with applicable procedures and policies.
• Support the leadership team in maintaining Shari'a compliance across the ADIB Group.
• Provide support to other SCD functions as and when required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Shari'a/Islamic banking or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in Shari'a related functions in Islamic banking, preferably in Shari'a Compliance, Shari'a Consultation, and/or Shari'a Audit.
• AAOIFI CSAA and/or CIPA certifications (or equivalent certifications).

Skills & Competencies

• Expert knowledge of banking and Islamic banking products.
• Expert knowledge of principles of Islamic Commercial Jurisprudence, Shari'ah standards, products, and Islamic banking operations.
• Expert knowledge of AAOIFI Shari'a Standards.
• Strong academic skills and experience in Shari'a compliance.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Reasonable legal and compliance background.
• Ability to balance between compliance requirements and business needs.
• Fluent/proficiency in Arabic and English.