Compliance Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Compliance Officer

Team: Risk Intelligence

Job location: Abu Dhabi

Contract type: Permanent

Version: October 2026

About Themis

Themis is a certified B Corporation technology start-up that works with clients to identify and manage their specific financial crime risks, by providing innovative solutions to detect any links to criminality.

Our goal is to reduce the global impacts of financial crime. Financial crime is a very real and evolving problem. It has been described as “an issue of international security”. Not only is the scale of illicit activity in the trillions of £s, but the impact on all of our businesses, the economy and society is profound.

Our award-winning technology platform helps organisations understand these strategic threats through an ESG and socio-economic lens and protects their customers, staff, suppliers and shareholders from criminal attacks or association. In this way, we are fuelling sustainable change in the public and private sectors.

Impact

Themis is a socially responsible, purpose-driven business that works to meet the highest standards of verified social and business performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

Themis is a certified B Corporation and we were named a 2022 ‘Best for the World’ B Corp™ in recognition of our exceptional positive impact on Governance.

The positive impact of Themis is amplified by the Themis Foundation that directs and raises additional funds to support the victims of underlying predicate crimes.

As a Signatory of the United Nations Global Compact, we are proud to be part of a global network of over 9,500 companies and 3,000 non-business participants that are committed to building a sustainable future. Our business is fully aligned with the UN Global Compact principles, and the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals lie at the heart of everything we do.

Job purpose

We are seeking a dedicated Compliance Officer to join our Abu Dhabi based team. This mid-level role is ideal for a professional with 2–4 years of compliance experience who is looking to further develop their expertise across financial crime prevention, regulatory engagement, and risk mitigation strategies. The role requires working on the client’s site 3 days a week, 2 days' Work from Home, so candidates should ideally be based in Abu Dhabi to avoid any travel issues.

You will support our compliance framework in the UAE, working across regulated sectors including financial services, fintech, and consulting. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that Themis and its clients remain compliant with applicable legal and regulatory obligations, particularly within ADGM, DIFC, and UAE Central Bank frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of compliance programmes tailored to UAE regulatory requirements, particularly about the ADGM and DIFC frameworks, UAE Federal AML laws and Cabinet Resolutions, Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) guidelines, and international standards including FATF recommendations and the Wolfsberg principles.
• Conduct client onboarding reviews covering KYC and AML screening, customer risk profiling, and the application of enhanced due diligence measures where required.
• Monitor transactions and identify potential suspicious activity; prepare internal escalation reports and support STR/SAR filing as required.
• Assist with periodic risk assessments and regulatory gap analyses for internal operations and client consulting engagements.
• Conduct sanctions screening in line with UN, OFAC, EU, and UAE national watchlists.
• Support audit readiness and liaise with UAE regulatory bodies as required (e.g. ADGM FSRA, CBUAE, MOE).
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of internal compliance policies and procedures.
• Deliver training and awareness sessions to internal teams and support a culture of compliance across the business.
• Keep abreast of evolving regulatory requirements and global financial crime trends.

Experience required

• 2 to 4 years of experience in compliance, financial crime prevention, or regulatory advisory within the UAE or a similar jurisdiction.
• Solid working knowledge of UAE AML/CFT regulatory landscape, ADGM/DIFC rules and supervisory frameworks CBUAE guidelines
• Previous experience in a regulated financial institution, consultancy, or fintech environment preferred.
• Experience conducting KYC, transaction monitoring, and regulatory reporting activities.
• Exposure to liaising with regulators or preparing for audits is an advantage.
• Compliance certifications such as CAMS, ICA, or equivalent are desirable.
• Based in Abu Dhabi (preferred), and able to work on the client’s site 3 days a week.

Skills required

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Strong analytical and risk assessment skills.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory frameworks and implement practical compliance solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong ethical compass and integrity in handling sensitive information.
• A proactive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented approach.