Compliance Officer - VARA

The chosen candidate will serve as the appointed Compliance Officer for the entity regulated by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). In this capacity, they will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing the VARA compliance program in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and supervisory expectations. In addition to their primary role, the individual will provide strategic advisory input to the group’s broader compliance structure, including coordination with the DFSA Compliance Officer to encourage alignment on regulatory practices and cross-entity compliance insights. Key Responsibilities A. Compliance Officer VARA (Primary Role) Serve as the appointed Compliance Officer, MLRO, and Risk Officer under the VARA regulatory framework. Lead the end-to-end development and execution of the VARA compliance framework, policies, and reporting obligations. Liaise directly with VARA for all regulatory communications, audits, and periodic filings. Design and implement internal controls to monitor regulatory compliance, conduct internal reviews, and address findings. Oversee and refine onboarding, KYC, and customer due diligence protocols to comply with local and international standards. Handle transaction monitoring, financial crime risk, and STR-related matters. Deliver internal training on VARA compliance standards to relevant departments. Conduct periodic risk assessments and recommend improvements to systems, processes, or practices. Ensure compliance calendar is maintained and key deliverables are submitted accurately and on time. B. Cross-Entity Compliance Collaboration (Advisory) Work collaboratively with the DFSA Compliance Officer to share best practices and encourage alignment in regulatory interpretation and implementation, where applicable. Contribute to the development of consistent compliance policies, procedures, and training materials across the group, where appropriate. Provide informal advisory input on regulatory developments affecting both DFSA and VARA entities. Participate in cross-functional discussions related to compliance risk, policy harmonization, or group-wide initiatives. Review group-wide reporting templates or governance documents to promote consistency—without formal authority over other entity functions. Serve as a resource and sounding board for other compliance personnel in the group on shared challenges or evolving industry practices. Requirements Qualifications 5+ years of experience in regulatory compliance, ideally within the fintech or virtual asset sector. Demonstrated familiarity with VARA regulations. Proven expertise in UAE AML/CFT requirements and international standards (e.g., FATF). Professional certifications such as CAMS, ICA, or CRCM are highly valued. Preferred Attributes Knowledge or exposure to blockchain, tokenization, or virtual asset regulation is a strong advantage. Experience in tech-enabled investment platforms or regulated fintech environments. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with board-level confidence and regulatory credibility. High integrity, independence, and strategic thinking with hands-on execution capability. Benefits Why Join SmartCrowd? Be part of the region’s most established real estate investment platform licensed by DFSA Play a leading role in regulatory expansion into ADGM and the digital asset space Collaborate with top-tier leadership, product, and legal teams in a high-growth, regulated environment Competitive executive compensation and performance-based incentives