Compliance Specialist

Job Summary

Based in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or London, the Compliance Specialist will be primarily responsible for facilitating the onboarding of new clients and new matters in the Firm’s Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh offices, with secondary responsibilities from time to time covering other of the Firm’s offices, in line with the Firm’s onboarding procedures and compliance policies relating predominantly to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Client Due Diligence (CDD) and sanctions screening.

This role reports directly to the Compliance Manager for the Firm’s Middle East and Asia Pacific offices, with indirect (i.e., dotted line) reporting to local office Compliance Partners/Money Laundering Risk Officers (MLROs).

Responsibilities include:

• ​Ensure that the onboarding of new clients, matters and third-party payors comply with the Firm’s internal AML, CDD, and trade sanctions / export control policies.
• Respond to queries relating to the interpretation of relevant legislation, regulation, and Firm policies pertaining to AML and trade sanctions.
• Review new client, new matter and CDD forms submitted by partners, as well as global screening reports generated through third-party customer screening and risk intelligence tools, to verify compliance with AML, CDD, and trade sanctions / export control policies.
• Ensure CDD memos, new client, and matter opening forms and supporting KYC documents are filed on the Firm’s central database.
• Maintain adequate records of the status of client and beneficial owner identification and verification for new and existing clients.
• Monitor changes to AML rules and regulations across all applicable jurisdictions and assist the Firm’s Compliance Officer, Senior Manager, Compliance Programs, Compliance Manager for the Firm’s Middle East and Asia Pacific offices, and Compliance Partners/MLROs with updating/implementing applicable policies and procedures.
• Stay current on, and ensure compliance with, new procedures, guidance and best practices; attending AML and trade sanctions courses and seminars as needed or directed.
• Ongoing review of CDD documentation held for existing clients.
• Conduct training for new and existing attorneys and other relevant staff on the client intake process.
• Assist in the submission of AML questionnaires and annual AML returns as and when requested or required by local regulators.
• Assist with the Firm’s internal compliance monitoring processes.
• Provide cover for other Compliance Specialists as needed or requested during annual leave.
• Participate in demos and planning discussions with respect to, and assist with testing and/or piloting of, new third-party or internally constructed software applications relating to client intake, AML compliance, CDD, trade sanctions and export control compliance, and client lifecycle management generally.
• General ad hoc duties; including but not limited to supporting compliance-related projects.

Qualifications

• Ability to escalate and communicate issues in a timely and effective manner.
• Ability to organise and prioritise multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment; work under pressure and complete job assignments in an accurate and timely manner; respond appropriately to shifting demands.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with a broad range of colleagues in a professional manner.
• Self-starter who can work independently on most daily work assignments while also collaborating as needed across a larger, multinational team.

Experience

• Must be fluent in English; proficiency or fluency in Arabic strongly preferred.
• Good understanding and working knowledge of trade sanctions and export control compliance, particularly in relation to sanctions screening report consumption and interpretation, resolution, and, where needed or advisable, escalation of “hits” in such reports.
• Good understanding and working knowledge of AML regulations and legislation in relevant jurisdictions.
• Experience with the compliance aspects of client onboarding, with a strong preference for experience in a multinational law firm environment.
• Good understanding and working knowledge of AML, CDD, sanctions, and other compliance policies.
• Understanding of corporate structures including companies, trusts, partnerships, PE funds, etc.
• Experience with LSEG World-Check, Moody’s Compliance Catalyst / Orbis, Intapp, and/or M365 applications a plus.

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Locations:

London, Abu Dhabi, Dubai

EEO Statement

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all partners, employees and applicants and, in accordance with the applicable federal and state laws, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, religion, matriculation or political affiliation, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, age, marital status or partnership status, family responsibilities, disability, medical condition, personal appearance, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, arrest or conviction record, or on any other basis prohibited by law.