Head Of Compliance - Bahrain

This leading financial institution serves over 4 million customers through a network of 1,400 branches and 1,100 ATMs.
As an international bank with a presence across four continents, it excels in branchless banking with its advanced platform.
This bank offers 24/7 access via top-tier Internet Banking services.
Job Summary
This position will be responsible for ensuring the bank's policies, procedures, and relevant laws and regulatory regulations are complied with in letter and spirit to minimize operational, legal, and regulatory risks.
This role involves leading the development and implementation of robust compliance framework processes to maintain the highest standards of regulatory compliance, mitigate financial crime risks, and protect the integrity of the company's operations.
Job Responsibilities
Consistent application of UBL's AML/CFT/CPF policy, Standards, and allied procedures.
Ensure effective implementation of the Bank's FCC strategy to ensure vertical alignment and horizontal integration with other interfacing departmental strategies.
Review policies, procedures, and products, recommend required changes if any to align them with the local regulatory requirements, and provide day-to-day advisory wherever sought.
Conduct periodical branch visits to discuss, assess, and address regulatory compliance-related issues and concerns.
Oversee and monitor the reviews as per the risk-based Compliance Review Plan.
Compliance Resource management in consultation with HR including Athena Team.
Provide Subject Matter Expert guidance to Business and Operations on Sanctions, especially legal bindings and generally regimes identified by bank policy.
Clear understanding of managing FI relationships and their RFIs.
Oversee the review of Unusual Activity Reports for reporting of STRs to the regulator.
Oversee the risk-based compliance programme for UAE branches.
Review AML/CFT/CPF Policy & Standards to ensure consistency with regulatory requirements and update them upon change in the applicable regulatory regime.
Participate in Compliance Focus Group and other formal and informal meetings with staff members and management to discuss and provide timely updates on the status of the Bank's compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, particularly AML/CFT/CPF.
Design and conduct periodic training of the staff on the latest & significant regulatory requirements including AML/CFT/CPF in liaison with HRD.
Act as point of contact for CBUAE.
Keep a strong relationship with the Central Bank and other regulatory authorities, ensuring provision of required information to the regulators in a timely manner.
Further, coordinate with other regulatory bodies and law enforcement entities.
Act as coordinator for CB UAE examinations including thematic reviews, baseline examination, assets quality review, and any other reviews initiated by the regulator.
Ensure effective coordination for closure of examination findings, compliance risks identified, or any other regulatory remediation plans.
Identify, monitor, remediate, and report regulatory risks related to the UAE franchise to the Compliance Committee at Head Office level.
Ensure timely and effective closure of actions suggested by the compliance committee on franchise risks escalated to HO.
Submit periodic reports to the members of the concerned management on issues of regulatory significance and track for resolution.
Implement Compliance Risk Management framework in line with applicable regulatory requirements and with coordination & direction from Head Office.
Participate in the Compliance Committee of Management, as and when required.
Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum Bachelor degree and preferably a Master's Degree.
CAMS or certified from International Compliance Association.
10+ years banking experience, out of which 5 years in compliance/internal audit/risk function.
Job Specific Skills:

Lead the Compliance function to achieve the outcomes set out in the Bank's Compliance Policy and Conduct Principles:
Fair and compliant outcomes for Clients; Financial Crime Prevention; Promote Compliance culture.
Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate, and resolve risk, conduct, and compliance matters.
Clear understanding of local laws & sanctions, regulations, and other leading sanctions regimes.
Managing FI relationships with respect to compliance and especially FCC segment and handling of RFIs.
Regulatory Approval:

The position requires approval from the Central Bank of UAE.
•