The Senior Analyst – Transaction Monitoring is responsible for executing and overseeing ongoing monitoring activities to identify, investigate, and escalate suspicious transactions in line with UAE regulatory requirements, including Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) AML/CFT regulations and internal policies. The role involves conducting detailed analysis of alerts generated from transaction monitoring systems, assessing customer behavior and risk profiles, preparing high-quality investigation narratives, and recommending STR/SAR filings where required. The Senior Analyst also supports tuning and optimization of monitoring scenarios, typology assessments, ensures timely closure of alerts within SLA, maintains robust documentation, and collaborates closely with Compliance, AML, Operations, and Technology teams to strengthen the bank’s financial crime risk management framework.

Transaction Monitoring Framework & Governance:

Own and maintain the Transaction Monitoring Program aligned to bank risk appetite. Ensure TM coverage across retail, corporate, trade finance, and digital channels and all products. Periodically review TM policies, procedures, and typology libraries.

Scenario Design, Tuning & Optimization:

Design and enhance rules-based and risk-based scenarios (velocity, structuring, round-tripping, unusual patterns) and thorough typology assessments. Lead threshold calibration and alert tuning to reduce false positives without weakening controls. Perform periodic scenario effectiveness testing and document outcomes.

Alert Management & Investigations Oversight:

Oversee daily TM alerts and ensure risk-based prioritization.

Review complex or high-risk cases (PEPs, sanctions nexus, high-risk geographies).

Ensure investigations are well-documented, consistent, and defensible.

STR / SAR Decisioning & Regulatory Reporting:

Act as facilitator in decision-maker or reviewer for STR/SAR filings to the UAE goAML platform.

Ensure reports are timely, accurate, and sufficiently detailed.

Maintain confidentiality and prevent tipping-off.

Technology & Systems Management:

Act as Compliance SME for: ·     TM systems implementation or upgrades ·     Model changes, data mapping, and system validations

Partner with IT, vendors, and operations to resolve data quality or rule-logic issues.

Regulatory Engagement & Audit Readiness:

Lead TM responses for: ·     CBUAE inspections ·     Internal Audit ·     External Audit ·     Skilled Persons Reviews (SPR)

Track and remediate TM-related findings with clear ownership and timelines.

Risk Assessment & Management Information (MI):

Input TM insights into the Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment (EWRA). Produce senior management MI: ·     Alert volumes & trends ·     STR conversion ratios ·     High-risk customer activity ·     Scenario effectiveness metrics

Training & Awareness:

Train TM analysts on typologies, red flags, and investigation quality.
Conduct QA reviews and coaching to improve consistency and judgment.

Maintain adequate staffing and productivity benchmarks.