Senior Compliance Counsel

OVERVIEW

Business Unit

President Complex

Division

Compliance

Country

Saudi Arabia

Location

Jeddah, HQ

Job Grade

E3

Contract Type

Fixed Term

Closing Date

9-Aug-2026

JOB PURPOSE

To provide high-quality compliance advisory, due diligence, monitoring, policy, research and capacity-building support to IsDB's Finance and Administration functions.

The role contributes to identifying, assessing, mitigating and monitoring risks relating to AML/CFT, sanctions, KYC, politically exposed persons, integrity, fraud, corruption, tax compliance and other financial-crime matters arising from Treasury, Finance, Investment, Human Resources, Corporate Procurement and other institutional activities.

The role supports the protection of IsDB's mandate, reputation, resources and legal status through timely, risk-based and practical advice consistent with IsDB policies, its nature as a multilateral development bank and relevant international standards.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Compliance Framework, Policies and Procedures

Review and assess compliance policies, procedures, controls and systems; identify gaps through benchmarking, lessons learned and changes in relevant international standards; and draft or update policies, SOPs, guidelines, templates and control frameworks in coordination with the supervisor.

2. KYC, Due Diligence and Compliance Clearance

Conduct risk-based KYC/CDD/EDD, beneficial ownership analysis, sanctions, PEP, adverse-media and debarment screening for counterparties associated with Treasury, Finance, Investment, Human Resources, Corporate Procurement and other administrative activities. Recommend clearance, conditional clearance, escalation or rejection, as appropriate.

3. Ongoing Monitoring and Renewal

Support risk-based ongoing monitoring and periodic renewal of counterparties. Identify changes in ownership, management, PEP exposure, sanctions, debarment, litigation, adverse media, banking arrangements and other risk factors, and promptly escalate material developments.

4. Transaction and Screening Alert Review

Review sanctions and transaction-screening alerts and assess unusual or potentially suspicious activities. Conduct and document appropriate inquiries and escalate potential prohibited, suspicious or high-risk matters in accordance with internal procedures and IsDB’s legal nature and institutional status.

5. Compliance Advice and External KYC Responses

Provide timely, practical and risk-based advice to internal stakeholders on AML/CFT, sanctions, KYC, PEP, anti-fraud, anti-corruption, integrity and related matters. Prepare and coordinate responses to compliance questionnaires and inquiries received from financial institutions, governments, corporations, public entities, NGOs and other external counterparties.

6. Country Risk and Typology Reports

Research, write, develop and update country compliance risk reports, thematic and typology reports, briefing notes and other analytical reports as requested. Reports may cover money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions, corruption, fraud, procurement integrity, PEPs, NPO risks, tax evasion and emerging risks relevant to IsDB activities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

7. Compliance Tools, Data and Case Management

Support the availability, governance, effective use and continuous improvement of compliance screening, monitoring and case-management tools. Maintain complete and accurate case records, management information, dashboards and workflow updates, including the Compliance Jira platform.

8. Training and Awareness

Design and deliver targeted awareness sessions, guidance and training materials for relevant IsDB staff and managers, using practical examples and case studies tailored to Finance and Administration activities.

9. Regulatory and Emerging-Risk Monitoring

Monitor and analyse relevant national, regional and international developments, including FATF standards, UN sanctions, MDB debarment actions, financial-crime typologies and other legal, regulatory and policy developments. Assess their relevance to IsDB and recommend timely action.

10. Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Exchange

Establish and maintain professional communication channels with compliance functions of MDBs, IFIs, financial institutions and international or regional organizations. Exchange non-confidential knowledge and experience and support approved capacity-development initiatives for IsDB Member Countries.

11. Planning, Reporting and Assurance Support

Contribute to annual work plans, KPI dashboards, periodic management reports, risk registers, budget inputs, audit responses, control testing and the tracking of agreed recommendations and remedial actions.

12. Representation and Other Responsibilities

Represent the Compliance Division or IsDB in internal committees, working groups, meetings and external forums when authorized. Prepare briefs, speaking points and records of outcomes, and undertake other related responsibilities assigned by the supervisor or Manager, Compliance.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Law, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Risk Management or another relevant discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience in compliance, legal, banking, finance, audit, risk management, investigations or a related field.
• Practical experience in KYC/CDD/EDD, AML/CFT, sanctions, PEP screening, anti-bribery and corruption, integrity due diligence or financial-crime risk management is required.
• Demonstrated experience in research, analytical writing, policy or procedure drafting, advisory work and preparation of management reports is required.
• Experience in a multilateral development bank, international organization, financial institution, public-sector institution or comparable cross-border environment is preferred.
• Experience in developing or delivering compliance training and awareness activities is an advantage.
• Languages: English: Mandatory | Arabic: Preferred | French: Preferred

SKILLS & NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE

• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT/KYC, sanctions, beneficial ownership, PEPs, anti-bribery and corruption, fraud, debarment, integrity and tax-evasion risks.
• Understanding of the legal and operational characteristics of MDBs/IFIs, including institutional status, privileges and immunities, financial operations and procurement-related risks.
• Strong research, analytical, investigative and problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop country risk reports and thematic or typology reports.
• Excellent drafting skills for policies, procedures, advisory opinions, compliance reports, briefings and senior-management communications.
• Ability to use screening, monitoring, research and case-management tools and to maintain accurate digital records and management information.
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, professional integrity, discretion and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong stakeholder-management, presentation, negotiation and written and verbal communication skills.

ABOUT APPLICATION PROCESS

If you meet the criteria and you are enthusiastic about the role, we would welcome your application. To complete the application you would need the following document(s):

• Resume/CV
• Copy of passport
• Academic certificate

If you are currently an IsDB Regular staff applying for this role and get selected through the competitive selection process; your current contract type and other terms and conditions will remain unchanged.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process (job application, CV review, interview meeting, and final processing of applications). In addition, the IsDB does not request information on applicants’ bank accounts.

The IsDB declines all responsibility for the fraudulent publications of job posts or job offers in its name or, in general, for the fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoever.