Financial Crime Compliance Consultant - Audit

Job description / Role

Role overview

We are seeking a meticulous and highly analytical Integrity Due Diligence & Screening Specialist to join a prominent Abu Dhabi-based government body. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting integrity checks, background screenings, and due diligence reviews at key stages of public and commercial engagement processes. This includes vendor onboarding, contract award, and periodic or ad hoc risk-based reviews. The aim is to ensure all stakeholders uphold the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and compliance in alignment with UAE laws and international best practices.

Key responsibilities

1. Due diligence at contract award stage:

• Conduct integrity screening on prospective contractors, suppliers, and service providers prior to contract award.
• Identify and assess reputational, legal, regulatory, and ethical risks associated with third parties.
• Liaise with procurement, legal, and technical departments to flag potential risks and provide mitigation recommendations.
• Maintain a clear audit trail and documentation to support decision-making.

2. Due diligence at registration / onboarding stage:

• Implement comprehensive due diligence procedures for entities and individuals registering with or engaging the government entity.
• Use open-source intelligence (OSINT), commercial databases, and internal tools to screen for sanctions, adverse media, PEPs (Politically Exposed Persons), conflicts of interest, and criminal affiliations.
• Ensure onboarding documentation is complete, accurate, and verified prior to approval.

3. Ongoing / ad-hoc integrity monitoring:

• Conduct periodic reviews and risk-triggered screenings of existing stakeholders to detect emerging risks or red flags.
• Monitor adverse media and external alerts on a continuous basis.
• Work cross-functionally with compliance, audit, and investigations teams on follow-up actions or escalations.

Requirements

Education & experience:

• Bachelors degree in Law, Criminology, Business Administration, International Relations, or a related field (Masters preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in integrity due diligence, compliance, investigations, or related fields within government, financial institutions, or multinational corporations.
• Experience using due diligence databases (e.g., World-Check, LexisNexis, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance).

Skills:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking capabilities.
• Excellent research skills and attention to detail.
• High-level report writing and presentation skills.
• Discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Fluency in English (Arabic is a strong advantage).

Desirable attributes

• Knowledge of UAE legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Familiarity with global anti-corruption standards (e.g., FCPA, UK Bribery Act, OECD Guidelines).
• Certifications in AML, Compliance, or Investigations (e.g., CAMS, CFE, ICA) are highly advantageous.
• Understanding of public procurement and government sector operations.