Risk Compliance Officer - Urgent Jobs in Abu-Dhabi

Job Description

About the job

About NorthLark

NorthLark is a fast-growing RegTech firm transforming compliance across global financial markets. With an innovation hub in Abu Dhabi and delivery centre across Asia, NorthLark blends technology and expertise to help institutions simplify AML, KYC, and regulatory operations. Our culture is defined by integrity, agility, and collaboration — empowering people to lead, learn, and make an impact in the world of compliance.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Risk Officer to build, lead, and continuously strengthen the enterprise-wide Risk Management framework across MBME Group and M Capital. This role is responsible for identifying, assessing, monitoring, and reporting risks across operational, financial, technology, cybersecurity, outsourcing, fraud, and anti-bribery domains.

The ideal candidate will possess deep Enterprise Risk Management expertise, strong analytical capability, and the confidence to advise Senior Management and the Board on emerging risks and mitigation strategies. Experience in payments, fintech, or fund management will be considered a significant advantage.

Key Responsibilities

1. Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)

• Establish and maintain a comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management framework aligned with regulatory expectations (FSRA, ADGM) and international standards.
• Define and periodically update the Risk Appetite Statement, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Conduct enterprise-level risk assessments, heat-map reporting, risk register maintenance, and regular risk control self-assessments (RCSAs).
• Report risk exposures, breaches, and emerging risks to Senior Management and the Board.

2. Operational & Outsourcing Risk

• Lead the identification, assessment, and mitigation of operational risks across all business units.
• Assess third-party dependencies, conduct outsourcing risk assessments, and monitor compliance with ADGM outsourcing regulations.
• Oversee internal controls, incident reporting, and root cause analysis.

3. Cyber & IT Security Risk

• Work closely with IT and Security teams to define cybersecurity risk controls and ensure alignment with ISO 27001 and FSRA expectations.
• Provide guidance on: Access control, Data security, Vulnerability management, Cyber threat analysis
• Review and approve technology-related risk assessments for new systems, APIs, platforms, and integrations.

4. Fraud & Anti-Bribery Risk

• Develop and maintain policies and frameworks related to Fraud Prevention, Anti-Bribery, and Corruption (ABAC).
• Conduct fraud risk assessments, scenario reviews, and implement controls to prevent internal and external fraud.
• Provide training across the group on ethical conduct and fraud awareness.

5. Business Continuity & Scenario Analysis

• Develop and manage the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) across onshore and offshore operations.
• Conduct periodic stress testing, scenario simulations, tabletop exercises, and post-exercise reporting.
• Ensure BCP readiness, including alternate sites, recovery plans, and failover procedures.

6. Payments, Financial Risk & Fund Management Support

• Provide risk insights related to digital payments, merchant onboarding, transaction flows, and operational dependencies.
• For M Capital, assess fund management-related risks including liquidity, market, counterparty, and operational risk exposures.
• Support risk reviews for new products, expansion initiatives, and financial services offerings.

7. Governance, Reporting & Stakeholder Management

• Prepare periodic risk dashboards, KRIs, incident reports, and Board-level summaries.
• Present risk findings to Senior Management, Audit & Risk Committees, and Board Members.
• Collaborate with Compliance, Legal, Security, Technology, Finance, Product, and Operations teams.

Key Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Risk, Business, Accounting, or related field (Master’s is a plus).
• Minimum 7–10 years of Risk Management experience, ideally in financial services, payments, fintech, or fund management.
• Proven experience building or leading a Risk Management function.
• Strong understanding of FSRA/ADGM regulatory requirements or equivalent global risk frameworks.

Technical Skills

• Deep knowledge of:
• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworks
• Operational risk
• Risk Appetite frameworks
• Outsourcing risk
• Cybersecurity fundamentals
• Fraud & Anti-Bribery risk controls
• BCP / Disaster Recovery
• Scenario analysis & stress testing
• Experience analysing payments platforms, workflows, and financial services products.
• Familiarity with ISO standards, NIST, or similar cyber-risk frameworks.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong communication and presentation skills, especially for Board-level engagement.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with technical, operational, and executive stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• High integrity, ethical judgment, and confidentiality.