Job Title: Senior Financial Crime Compliance Consultant – Correspondent Banking (Contract)

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) Consultant to lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive FCC framework for a bank with correspondent banking activities, based in Dubai. This is a senior-level contract position requiring deep subject matter expertise in financial crime compliance within the context of correspondent banking, along with hands-on experience designing, building, and rolling out FCC frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the design and end-to-end development of a Financial Crime Compliance framework tailored to correspondent banking activities.
Assess existing FCC infrastructure and identify gaps against international best practices and regulatory expectations (e.g., FATF, Wolfsberg Group, local UAE regulations).
Define and implement policies, procedures, and controls to manage FCC risks specific to correspondent banking.
Advise on the implementation of customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), transaction monitoring, name screening, and sanctions compliance procedures.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations, etc.) to ensure the FCC framework is fit for purpose and aligned with the bank’s overall risk appetite and business strategy.
Support the development of a governance model, reporting structures, and key risk indicators (KRIs) for FCC.
Provide guidance on training and awareness programs related to FCC in the correspondent banking context.
Ensure the framework is aligned with applicable UAE Central Bank, DFSA, and other relevant international regulatory requirements.
Prepare documentation for internal review and potential regulatory submission.

Required Experience & Qualifications:

Minimum 10 years of experience in financial crime compliance, with a strong focus on correspondent banking.
Proven track record of building and implementing FCC frameworks from the ground up.
In-depth understanding of global FCC standards, including FATF recommendations, Wolfsberg Correspondent Banking Due Diligence Questionnaire (CBDDQ), Basel Committee guidance, and OFAC/EU/UN sanctions regimes.
Strong familiarity with the UAE regulatory landscape, including Central Bank of the UAE requirements and regional compliance expectations.
Experience interacting with regulators and senior executive stakeholders.
Professional certifications preferred (e.g., CAMS, ICA Diploma, CFCS).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

Strategic thinker with the ability to translate compliance principles into practical, operational frameworks.
Self-starter who thrives in fast-paced environments and can work independently with minimal oversight.
Strong stakeholder engagement skills and cultural awareness, ideally with experience working in the Middle East or GCC region.

Job Title: Senior Financial Crime Compliance Consultant - Correspondent Banking