The Registration Authority (RA) prepares and administers the ADGM’s commercial legislation and monitors compliance with such legislation and enforces against contraventions. In addition to registering legal entities, the RA is responsible for registering real property rights and supervising auditors and insolvency practitioners.
The Policy Specialist will support the Policy & Legal function of the Registration Authority in the development, implementation, and administration of ADGM’s commercial, regulatory, and policy framework.
The role combines policy development, legal research and analysis, stakeholder coordination, governance support, and administrative assistance, working closely with internal RA divisions, other ADGM authorities, and external government stakeholders.
The Policy Specialist will have a number of responsibilities as outlined below.
Operational responsibilities:
Policy & Legislative Projects
- Support the development and implementation of internal policies, legislative proposals and regulatory initiatives relevant to the Registration Authority.
- Assist with drafting policy papers, consultation materials, internal briefings and recommendations, including benchmarking against comparator jurisdictions.
- Support the implementation of ADGM-wide policies within the RA, including operationalization across business teams.
- Assist in drafting and maintaining internal procedures, guidance and process documentation.
Regulatory Matters
- Support responses to legal and regulatory queries relating to companies, partnerships and commercial licensing, including filings and registry processes.
- Assist on matters relating to beneficial ownership, AML and DNFBPs, trusts and foundations, single family offices and tax-related issues.
- Support policy and legal work relating to Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), including DLT Foundations, token issuance and crypto-related business activities.
Undertake legal and regulatory research on ADGM legislation and relevant foreign legal frameworks.
AML, FATF & Government Engagement
- Assist with the preparation of AML-related submissions, including for evidencing FATF compliance.
- Support engagement with the FSRA and other ADGM authorities on AML and cross-authority initiatives.
- Support the review of draft federal legislation, executive regulations and policy proposals.
Governance, Research & Operational Support
- Support the administration of the Policy & Legislative Committee, including coordinating papers, meetings, minutes and follow-up actions.
- Conduct comparative research and benchmarking on international regulatory and policy developments.
- Assist with stakeholder engagements, including preparation of summaries and follow-up materials.
- Provide administrative and operational support across Policy & Legal workstreams, including document management, meeting coordination and consultation support.
Information Security related
- Understand, adopt, adhere and practice responsibilities or controls as per ADGM Information Security policy and as per best practices explained in the induction and awareness sessions.
- Confidentiality, Integrity and availability of the ADGM Information shall be maintained at all times i.e. within as well as outside ADGM.
Education & Essential:
- Bachelor’s degree in Law, Policy, Economics or a related discipline
- Total of 6yrs + with 2-3 yrs experience in a policy, legal, regulatory, government or professional services environment
- Strong legal and policy research capability
- Clear and precise drafting skills with strong attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
- Strong organizational and administrative skills
- Ability to engage with technical regulatory material
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Fluency in business English
Desirable:
- Experience in a regulatory authority, government entity, law firm or professional services firm
- Exposure to corporate, commercial, trust, AML, beneficial ownership or DLT-related frameworks
- Familiarity with common law legal systems
- Experience supporting governance committees or internal decision-making bodies
- Interest in regulatory policy development within an international financial Centre
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Law, Policy, Economics or a related discipline
- Total of 6yrs+ experience with 2-3 yrs in a policy, legal, regulatory, government or professional services environment
- Strong legal and policy research capability
- Clear and precise drafting skills with strong attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
- Strong organizational and administrative skills
- Ability to engage with technical regulatory material
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Fluency in business English
- Experience in a regulatory authority, government entity, law firm or professional services firm
- Exposure to corporate, commercial, trust, AML, beneficial ownership or DLT-related frameworks
- Familiarity with common law legal systems
- Experience supporting governance committees or internal decision-making bodies
- Interest in regulatory policy development within an international financial centre
What We Do
ADGM is the International Financial Centre (IFC) of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Since opening for business on 21 October 2015, ADGM has reinforced Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global financial hub and a strategic link between the economies of the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and the rest of the world. ADGM operates under an international regulatory framework based on the direct application of English Common Law and governs the entirety of Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, designated as Abu Dhabi’s financial free zone. Ranked among the most preferred and top-performing IFCs in the Middle East and Africa, ADGM offers a progressive and inclusive ecosystem that enables global financial and non-financial institutions to grow and thrive. With strong cross-border synergies and a forward-looking regulatory approach, ADGM continues to shape the future of finance. Visit: www.adgm.com
