Job Description

Role Purpose

Provide short-term compliance support to the Licensed Compliance Officer, focusing on regulatory gap analysis, documentation and evidence testing.

Regulatory gap analysis Policy & SOP support Evidence testing and documentation Readiness for DFSA thematic and emerging regulatory reviews

Candidate Profile

5-8 years' experience in compliance and risk. Familiarity with DFSA rulebooks (GEN, COB, PIB - awareness level) Strong documentation, tracking, and evidence-management skills Highly organized, detail-oriented, process-driven STRONGLY RECOMMENDED- DFSA experience

Core Responsibilities

The Compliance Support Officer will assist the LCO in performing general and targeted regulatory gap analyses, with specific attention to new or evolving DFSA requirements

.

1. Mapping applicable DFSA rulebook requirements to:

Approved Policies Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Actual Operational Practices across Front office (sales / execution), Operations (settlement, custody interfaces, record keeping), Compliance & governance processes, Technology and data handling practices

2. Identifying gaps between:

DFSA regulatory requirements Documented internal controls Day-to-day operational execution
(Including situations where policies exist but are not consistently evidenced in practice.)

3. Primary focus areas:

3.1 Brokerage & Execution Activities

Order handling and execution workflows

Clear delineation between:

Execution-only services Any advisory or non-advisory elements

Best execution obligations:

Execution policies Monitoring methodology Review frequency Evidence of oversight Conflicts of interest in execution and order routing Fee and commission disclosures

Gap focus:

Policy vs actual execution practice Monitoring performed vs monitoring evidenced Governance oversight of execution quality

3.2 Client Suitability, Appropriateness & Classification (Non-AML)

Assess compliance with DFSA rules relating to:

Client classification (Retail / Professional / Market Counterparty) Appropriateness assessments for products and services Suitability disclosures (where applicable) Product eligibility and client consent Ongoing review triggers and documentation

Gap focus:

Completeness of documentation Alignment with SOPs Evidence of review and escalation

3.3 Operational Processes & Controls

Evaluate operational compliance across:

Trade booking and confirmation processes Settlement and custody interfaces Use of third-party brokers, custodians, and service providers Incident handling and escalation Record-keeping standards

Gap focus:

Operational practices deviating from SOPs Manual controls not sufficiently documented Reliance on informal processes without evidence

3.4 Data Protection, Record Retention & Communications

Review of DFSA-relevant obligations around:

Approved communication channels Client communication controls Record retention and retrieval Access controls and data handling procedures Oversight of outsourced or third-party data processors (TPA-related)

Gap focus:

Communication happening outside approved channels Incomplete or inconsistent record retention Lack of documented oversight for data handled by third parties

3.5 New & Enhanced DFSA Regulations

Support the LCO in reviewing Ark Capital's readiness for:

Newly introduced DFSA rules Enhanced guidance or supervisory expectations Thematic review focus areas Third-Party Arrangements (TPA) and outsourcing obligations

Gap focus:

Policies not updated to reflect new rules SOPs not yet aligned * Oversight evidence missing or incomplete