Islamic Development Bank
Senior Compliance Counsel
- Duty station
- 🇸🇦 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Country / area
- Saudi Arabia
- Region
- Asia
- UN system
- Multilateral Bank
- Requisition ID
- 5835
- Job Grade
- E3
- Contract Type
- Fixed Term
- Closes
- 8/9/2026, 12:00:00 AM
About this role
The Senior Compliance Counsel role at the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, focuses on mitigating and managing compliance risks to protect the Bank's interests and achieve its strategic objectives. The incumbent is responsible for reviewing and evaluating existing compliance policies, procedures, and systems to identify gaps and propose improvements based on global trends in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT), and Know Your Customer (KYC) frameworks. Key responsibilities include designing and implementing compliance policies, conducting compliance country reports and typology studies, performing background checks on new counterparts, and investigating suspicious transactions. The role also involves responding to external inquiries from international banks, governments, and NGOs, and ensuring timely reporting of suspicious activities. The ideal candidate possesses a Master's degree in law or a relevant discipline, along with a minimum of eight years of professional experience in compliance, preferably within an international or multilateral development sector. Expertise in MDB compliance matters, including sanctions, financial transactions, and international standards, is essential. The position requires strong analytical skills, functional expertise in compliance systems, and the ability to develop policies and guidelines. Fluency in English is mandatory, while proficiency in Arabic and French is preferred. This fixed-term contract role contributes to the President Complex Division.
Key requirements
- Master's degree in law, Islamic law, or relevant discipline
- Minimum 8 years of compliance experience
- Experience in KYC/AML/CFT compliance
Nice to have
- Experience in international/multilateral development sector
- Advanced training in compliance training
- Fluency in Arabic (Preferred)
Requirements at a glance
- Min. experience
- Minimum 8 years of experience in compliance or any relevant work preferably in an international/multilateral development sector.
- Required degree
- Master's degree in law, Islamic law, or any other relevant discipline.
- Languages
- English, Arabic, French
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 contribute to the provision of effective and efficient compliance services with the aim of achieving the lsDB's purpose, goals, and objectives. Protect the interest of the bank and design ways and means to mitigate and manage compliance risks relating to the activities of the Bank.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- • Review and evaluate existing compliance policies, procedures and systems to identify gaps, and propose necessary changes based on benchmarking and researching best practices and global trends in AML/CFT/KYC.
- • Design, develop and implement compliance policies and procedural guidelines relating AML/CFT/KYC issues and uses the guidelines as part of their compliance assessment on the adequacy of IDB's internal governance procedures to manage AML/CFT/KYC, in coordination with the Manager.
- • Conduct and contribute to compliance country reports, typology studies, and thematic assessments relating to AML/CFT strategic deficiencies, financial crime trends, and other pertinent compliance matters affecting member countries and IsDB operations.
- • Conduct proper background checks to IDB business units' respective new counterparts before engaging in any business relationship and provide subsequent monitoring input throughout the period of the relationship.
- • Ensure identification and timely, efficient reporting of suspicious transactions and activities and conduct a proper investigation of suspicious transactions or money laundering alerts.
- • Respond to all AML/CFT/KYC inquiries received from IDB external counterparts (international/ regional/ local banks, corporations, governments, public entities, NGOs etc.).
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- • Master's degree in law, Islamic law, or any other relevant discipline.
- • Minimum 8 years of experience in compliance or any relevant work preferably in an international/multilateral development sector.
- • Experience in KYC/AML/CFT compliance is required.
- • Any advanced training or experience in providing training in compliance or compliance-related matters is preferred.
• Languages: English: Mandatory | Arabic: Preferred | French: Preferred
SKILLS & NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE
- • Expertise in MDB's compliance matters e.g., sanctions, financial transactions, AML, CFT, KYC, taxation, legal status, business, immunities, privileges, and compliance with international standards & regulations.
- • Expertise in preparation of work plans, periodic reports, and budgets to the management, preferably for compliance functions of MDBs and execution of such.
- • Expertise in the development of policies, procedural guidelines, institutional statements, the delegation of authority, etc. relating to
AML/CFT/KYC/Taxations/Sanctions... etc issues faced by MDBs/lFls.
- • Expertise in the establishment of communication channels with the compliance functions of external partners such as MDBs/lFls and undertaking capacity development of partner MDBs/lFls on Compliance related matters.
- • Functional expertise/systems, Analytical 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.
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