GRC Specialist - UAE National

Job Title: GRC Specialist – Banking & Financial Services (UAE National)

Location: Dubai, UAE

Employment Type: Full-Time

Nationality: UAE National (Emirati) – Mandatory

Compensation: Competitive, as per market standards (Negotiable, in AED)

Job Summary

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented GRC Specialist to join our Banking & Financial Services team in Dubai. This opportunity is exclusively open to UAE Nationals (Emirati candidates) as part of our commitment to Emiratisation.

The successful candidate will support the Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) function by assisting in regulatory compliance, risk assessments, policy management, internal controls, and audit coordination. Working closely with senior GRC professionals and business stakeholders, the role will contribute to maintaining the organization's governance framework while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements issued by the Central Bank of the UAE and other applicable authorities.

Key Responsibilities

Support the implementation and maintenance of Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) processes across the organization.

Assist in conducting operational, compliance, technology, and business risk assessments.

Support the maintenance of risk registers, issue trackers, and compliance monitoring activities.

Assist in reviewing and updating governance policies, procedures, and internal standards.

Monitor compliance with applicable banking regulations, internal policies, and regulatory directives.

Coordinate documentation and evidence for internal audits, external audits, and regulatory reviews.

Track audit observations and support remediation activities until closure.

Assist in monitoring regulatory updates and communicating relevant changes to stakeholders.

Prepare periodic risk and compliance reports for management review.

Work closely with business units to promote adherence to governance and compliance requirements.

Support awareness sessions and training initiatives related to governance, risk management, and compliance.

Assist with third-party risk assessments, operational resilience, and business continuity initiatives where required.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, Accounting, Information Technology, Law, or a related discipline.

UAE National (Emirati) – Mandatory.

3–6 years of experience in Governance, Risk & Compliance, Internal Audit, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, or Operational Risk within banking, financial services, fintech, or other regulated organizations.

Good understanding of governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance principles.

Experience supporting audits, compliance reviews, or risk assessment activities.

Strong analytical, documentation, and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and stakeholder coordination abilities.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional certifications such as any of the following would be an advantage:

CISA

CRISC

ISO 31000 Risk Manager

ISO 27001 Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor

CIA

CAMS

COBIT Foundation

Risk Management or Compliance-related certifications

Preferred Skills

Familiarity with UAE banking regulations and regulatory frameworks issued by the Central Bank of the UAE.

Basic understanding of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Operational Risk, AML/KYC, Financial Crime Compliance, and Regulatory Compliance.

Exposure to governance frameworks such as ISO 31000, COSO, COBIT, ISO 27001, or NIST.

Familiarity with GRC platforms such as ServiceNow GRC, RSA Archer, MetricStream, OneTrust, or similar solutions.

Good organizational, documentation, and reporting skills.

Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams.

Additional Information

Prior experience within banking, financial institutions, fintech, or other regulated industries is preferred.

UAE banking experience will be an added advantage.

Candidates currently based in the UAE are preferred.

Immediate or short-notice joiners are highly desirable.