The QFC Regulatory Authority is the independent regulatory body of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). It has been established to regulate firms that conduct financial services in or from the QFC. It has a broad range of regulatory powers to authorise, supervise and, when necessary, discipline firms and individuals. The QFC Regulatory Authority regulates firms using principle-based legislation of international standard, modelled closely on the laws used in other major financial centres.

The QFCRA are currently looking to recruit a Senior Associate for their Authorisation & Supervision division. The successful applicant will lead on applications from financial institutions and individuals wishing to seek a license from or be registered by the QFC that are assigned to them. Where necessary, this will entail liaising with interested parties, arranging and conducting meetings with potential applicants and their advisers, and generally representing the QFCRA. The Senior Associate will also lead and manage Regulatory Services Group to proactively provide technical and/or operational guidance to colleagues in areas of expertise and work to provide support to the Division to ensure the accurate and expedient processing of applications, returns and reports.

Daily responsibilities will include:

• Assists the Directors in forming the principal link between applicants and the QFCRA throughout the application process;
• Ensures timely and accurate communication with applicants under their control, and alerts colleagues in the QFCRA to significant issues that emerge from any application that require resolution or close attention;
• Identifies applicant-specific issues or concerns, and matters arising from the application process.
• Assesses the risk profile of the applicants under their control (using any risk assessment methodology adopted by the QFCRA) and provides relevant input to the continued development of the QFCRA risk management process
• Ensures that there is an appropriate level of engagement with the QFCRA Supervisor designated to take on supervision responsibilities for any applicant under their control so that Supervisor has a complete picture of the applicant prior to hand over, and that the handover can occur smoothly
• Manages any staff assigned to him/her ensuring proper work allocation and supervision, and where necessary ensure that their skills and experience are being developed
• Establish and maintain the RSG Management Information to assist in reporting and benchmarking activities
• Provide statistical reporting for monthly and annual reports
• Supervise the work of RSG’s administrators who will be reporting to him/her and provide coaching and assistance to help their personal development

Applicants will need to have had good experience of working in a regulator and have an excellent appreciation of how the authorisation process operates. Interpersonal skills will be vital and an ability and desire to manage people is a must.

Please note that applicants who have not worked in a zone one regulator will not be considered for this position.

If this opportunity is of interest, please contact Matt Crocombe of Barclay Simpson Middle East on + 971 (0) 4 401 9809 or mc@barclaysimpson.com

Please note that Barclay Simpson Middle East has been retained exclusively for this piece of recruitment.