Public Sector Engagement Lead | Careers in Financial Crime Prevention

Public Sector Engagement Lead

Team

Insight

Reports to

Head of Insight

Location

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Area of focus

MENA

Role type

Permanent

Job code

TMIS-PSE-IS-001

Apply

Job Role

We are looking for an experienced Public Sector Engagement Lead to join our team in Abu Dhabi. This role will play a key part in shaping and delivering Themis’ B2G strategy in the MENA region, with a particular focus on engaging public sector stakeholders and leading strategic projects with government entities.

‍

This is a fantastic opportunity for a financial crime subject matter expert who is looking for a position that blends stakeholder management with project execution. You will be responsible for managing relationships with regulators, ministries, financial intelligence units (FIUs), and other relevant authorities across the GCC. You will also design and deliver financial crime-related policy and technical assistance projects for these stakeholders, including research, advisory, capacity building and training.

‍

If this sounds exciting to you, and if you are motivated by working for a purpose-driven organisation with a team of talented self-starters, then we would love to hear from you.

‍

Responsibilities

Act as the primary point of contact for public sector stakeholders in the MENA region, particularly in the Gulf.
Lead and manage strategic engagements with regulators, ministries, financial intelligence units (FIUs), and other government bodies on financial crime policy, regulation, and innovation.
Design and deliver financial crime-related policy and technical assistance projects, including research, advisory, capacity building, and training, for/with these government stakeholders.
Manage responses to RFPs for financial crime policy and technical support published by MENA government bodies.
Represent Themis at key regional forums, working groups and industry events.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Themis’ four business lines and the business development team to align public sector work with broader business objectives.
Cultivate a deep understanding of local MENA financial crime legislation, regulation and industry developments.
Drive business development opportunities by identifying opportunities for collaboration and project delivery with government and quasi-government clients.

‍

Experience required

Professional background in financial crime policy, public sector advisory, or regulatory engagement in the MENA region.
Demonstrated experience working with government entities such as central banks, FIUs, regulators, or ministries - either from within the public sector or as a consultant.
Proven track record in designing and delivering technical assistance, capacity building, or advisory projects related to financial crime compliance.
Familiarity with international AML/CFT standards and their application in the MENA context.
Prior experience responding to or managing government tenders and RFPs.
Arabic language skills would be a significant advantage but are not essential.

‍

Skills required

Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage credibly with senior government officials and regulators.
Deep subject matter expertise in financial crime, AML/CFT policy, and regulatory trends, particularly in the MENA region.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to write clear, persuasive policy documents, proposals, and reports.
Strategic thinking and commercial acumen, with the ability to identify partnership opportunities and drive value-aligned business development.
Project management skills, including the ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives to successful delivery.
High degree of adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and discretion when navigating politically sensitive or high-stakes environments.
Collaborative and proactive mindset, with the ability to work across functions and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

About Themis

Themis is a certified B Corporation and fast-growing technology start-up on a mission to reduce the global impact of financial crime. We partner with clients across sectors to identify and manage their unique financial crime risks using a powerful combination of insight, intelligence, and innovation.

Financial crime is a serious and evolving global threat — one that costs trillions and touches every part of society. Our cutting-edge platform empowers organisations to understand these strategic risks through an ESG and socio-economic lens, helping protect their people, customers, and communities from criminal harm. If you’re driven by purpose and want to work at the intersection of technology, ethics, and global change, Themis is where you’ll make a difference.

Impact

We are a socially responsible business that aims to reduce the impact of financial crime through its day-to-day business, increasing awareness, improving capabilities and driving long term cultural change across the private and public sectors.
‍
We are a purpose-driven business and are working to meet the highest standards of verified social and business performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. Our impact extends further through the Themis Charitable Trust, which supports victims of the crimes we help prevent.
‍
We’re also proud Signatories of the UN Global Compact, aligning our work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and joining a global community committed to a sustainable and ethical future.