Position: Internal Audit Specialist – Business Conduct & Consumer Protection
Engagement Type: Secondment (3 Months)
Location: UAE
Experience Required: 8-10 Years
Industry Preference: Fintech, Banking, Digital Payments, Telecommunications, Financial Services
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Internal Audit Specialist to support the assessment of Business Conduct, Consumer Protection, and Regulatory Compliance frameworks within a dynamic fintech environment. The successful candidate will independently execute risk-based audits covering customer-centric processes, conduct risk management, governance practices, and regulatory compliance requirements to ensure effective control environments and protection of customer interests.
Key Responsibilities
- Execute internal audits focused on Business Conduct Risk, Consumer Protection, and Regulatory Compliance frameworks.
- Review customer onboarding processes, product governance practices, customer disclosures, and fair treatment controls.
- Assess compliance with applicable consumer protection regulations, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
- Evaluate conduct risk management frameworks, governance structures, and control effectiveness.
- Review customer complaint management processes and investigate potential conduct-related risks.
- Assess sales practices, marketing communications, and customer-facing processes to ensure compliance with regulatory expectations.
- Identify control weaknesses, process gaps, and compliance deficiencies, and provide practical recommendations for remediation.
- Prepare comprehensive audit reports highlighting key findings, risk assessments, and management action plans.
- Conduct follow-up reviews to ensure timely closure of audit observations and implementation of corrective actions.
- Support regulatory inspections, internal reviews, and management reporting activities.
- Promote best practices in customer protection, ethical conduct, and governance across business functions.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Risk Management, Business Administration, Law, or a related field.
- Professional certification such as CIA, ACCA, CPA, CISA, CAMS, CRMA, or equivalent is preferred.
- 8-10 years of Internal Audit, Compliance, Risk Management, or Regulatory Audit experience.
- Proven experience conducting audits related to Business Conduct, Consumer Protection, Customer Experience, or Regulatory Compliance.
- Strong understanding of governance, risk management, internal controls, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
- Experience within Fintech, Banking, Digital Payments, Telecommunications, or Financial Services sectors.
- Knowledge of consumer protection regulations, customer treatment standards, and conduct risk management practices.
- Strong analytical, report-writing, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
- Ability to independently manage audit assignments and deliver high-quality outcomes within tight timelines.
Preferred Experience
- Auditing customer onboarding, complaints handling, product governance, and sales conduct processes.
- Exposure to regulatory environments such as Central Bank, Payments, Fintech, or Banking regulations.
- Experience interacting with senior management, regulators, and audit committees.
- Familiarity with AML/CFT, Compliance Monitoring, and Enterprise Risk Management frameworks.
