Senior Manager - Policy

Job Description

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”) is responsible for the regulation of financial services providers in Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) and related activities.

The Senior Manager will be responsible for identifying and implementing policy initiatives for the development and maintenance of the regulatory framework of the FSRA across both conduct and prudential dimensions, including for the FinTech sector and the evolution of the digital assets segment of that.

The Senior Manager will be part of the Policy team (“the team”) within the Policy & Legal Division (“the division”) of the FSRA. The Senior Manager will report to the Director (Policy) and work closely with other colleagues within the team, the broader division, and across the FSRA and ADGM.

Operational Responsibilities

• Identifying and implementing policy initiatives for the development and maintenance of conduct and prudential aspects of the regulatory framework of the FSRA in response to industry evolution, international developments and in line with expectations set by the international standard setting bodies.
• Manage complex and large policy projects, including staff and/or external resources, from project initiation, planning, benchmarking, policy development, to publication and implementation of the final legislation.
• Managing the consultation process by collating and analysing feedback in response to published consultation or discussion papers with a view to implementing legislative changes to enact policy proposals.
• Supporting wider policy and legislative initiatives for the key sectors in ADGM including for Wealth/Asset Management, RegTech/SupTech etc.
• Preparing relevant Board Papers and liaising with internal ADGM bodies, including the Office of Legal Affairs, Governance and Compliance.
• Reviewing and providing feedback to policy development and implemented legislation by other local and federal regulatory and government authorities including the CBUAE, SCA and the MoF.
  
  

Organisational Responsibilities

• Participating in any working groups and committees with other local and federal regulatory and government authorities, including in relation to international assessments of the UAE undertaken by the OECD, FATF and the IMF/World Bank.
• Provide other divisions in the FSRA with timely, high quality and consistent policy advisory services, including through peer reviewing materials produced by the team, the division, and other areas of the FSRA and ADGM.
• Contribute to the legislative drafting process for improvements to the legislative framework and any new legislative initiatives.
• In conjunction with the Legal team consider and where appropriate respond to policy queries and interpretation requests from internal and external stakeholders.
• Horizon scan for international financial services policy and legislative landscape, and propose any relevant enhancements for consideration by the FSRA.
• Monitor and seek to improve the internal processes and procedures of the team, the division and, where required, the FSRA.
  
  

Managerial

• Creates an environment where team members consistently drive to improve performance
• Manages team with full accountability for achieving overall agreed objectives
• Manages by effectively empowering team members
• Takes responsibility for mentoring high potential and most critical talent in their career progression
• Reviews performance of team and addresses performance issues quickly through clear decisions
  
  

Information Security related

• Understand, adopt, adhere and practice responsibilities or controls as per ADGM Information Security policy and as per best practices explained in the induction and awareness sessions.
• Confidentiality, Integrity and availability of the ADGM Information shall be maintained at all times i.e. within as well as outside ADGM.
  
  

Education

• Bachelors / Masters degree, ideally in the fields of law, finance, FinTech, public policy, or related disciplines
  
  

Work Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 10-12 years of policy development and/or other regulatory experience, including in the digital asset sector, ideally in the financial services or government sectors.
• Experience with analysis of innovative product offerings and business models, and assessing associated risks. Experience in proposing recommendations to address such identified risks.
• Experience of international standards, such as those of the BCBS, IOSCO, the IAIS and the FSB.
• Strong internal and external stakeholder management skills, including excellent influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong project management, planning, organisation and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to translate complex ideas into plain language for others at all levels of the FSRA, other ADGM authorities and external stakeholders.
• Fluent in business English.
  
  

Desirable

• Understanding of emerging enabling technologies, e.g., distribution ledger technology, smart contracts, decentralised technology, artificial intelligence, and their impacts on financial markets.
• Expertise in conduct and prudential matters associated with FinTech entities, including for virtual asset service providers.
• Experience in dealing with the international regulatory bodies.
• Proficient in Arabic or other language(s) and understanding of the Arabic culture.
  
  

About Us

The FSRA was established to advocate a progressive financial services environment and uphold the integrity of ADGM. The FSRA’s policies are aligned with internationally recognised standards and ensure that financial entities operate with certainty, market participants thrive in an equal level-playing environment, and the interests of investors are safeguarded.

About The Team

Abu Dhabi Global Market is an award-winning international financial centre strategically located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Established by UAE Federal Decree, ADGM’s jurisdiction extends across the entire 114 hectares of Al Maryah Island.

ADGM's three independent authorities - the Registration Authority (RA), the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and ADGM Courts - together ensure that its business-friendly environment operates in line with international best practices, recognised by major financial centres worldwide.

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