KYC Specialist

Overview

We are seeking a diligent KYC Specialist to join our team in Dubai. The role involves conducting comprehensive Know Your Customer (KYC) verifications for new client inquiries in strict adherence to standardized procedures to ensure compliance and accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform end-to-end KYC verification for all incoming client requests following the approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
• Assess client-submitted electronic questionnaires and accompanying documents to confirm their completeness and correctness.
• Authenticate company information including registration, ownership structures, and identification of Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs).
• Conduct screenings against sanctions lists, Politically Exposed Person (PEP) databases, and adverse media sources.
• Identify files that are incomplete, ambiguous, or present high risk, escalating them for internal review per SOP guidelines.
• Maintain up-to-date records in shared client folders and update Opportunities/Partnership tracking tools with verification progress.
• Ensure timely completion of verifications aligned with SOP deadlines to avoid delays in proposal preparation and pricing processes.
• Work collaboratively with pricing and proposal teams to confirm completed KYC sign-offs prior to submissions.
• Organize and retain audit-ready documentation for every client verification case.
• Propose enhancements to existing SOPs to address reoccurring challenges or procedural gaps.

Documents to Be Verified

• Company Documents: Trade license or company registration certificate, certificate of incorporation (if applicable), Memorandum/Articles of Association, shareholder certificates or ownership structure charts, Chamber of Commerce certificates (if applicable), and proof of company address such as utility bills or tenancy contracts.
• Individual Documents (Owners, Shareholders, Signatories): Valid passport copies, Emirates ID for UAE residents, proof of address documents like utility bills or bank statements, and visa pages or residency proofs when relevant.
• Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Documents: UBO declaration forms, passport and identification copies for each UBO, and documentation of ownership percentages.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Law, or a related discipline.
• Between two to four years of experience in KYC, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), or compliance roles, preferably within tax, accounting, or financial services sectors.
• Solid knowledge of UAE AML regulatory requirements and UBO disclosure mandates.
• Ability to follow detailed, sequential processes rigorously without omissions.
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong accuracy standards.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken; knowledge of Arabic is advantageous.
• Familiarity with screening technologies such as World-Check is preferred.
• Experience using collaborative tracking tools like Excel, SharePoint, or comparable platforms.
• Background in tax advisory or client onboarding within professional services is a plus.