Head of Risk & Fraud, UAE

Taptap Send helps immigrants move money home instantly and with low cost. We're hiring a regulated, on-the-ground Risk Officer for the UAE to build and operate our risk and fraud frameworks under CBUAE supervision. You'll work cross-functionally with product, engineering, compliance, operations and finance to identify risks, design controls, run investigations, and engage directly with the Central Bank.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and execute the UAE risk management framework (Risk Register, Risk Appetite, assessments)
• Act as primary point of contact with the Central Bank of the UAE on risk and fraud matters
• Identify, assess and monitor operational, product, technology, financial and customer risks
• Oversee operational incident reporting, root-cause analysis and corrective actions
• Lead regulatory risk reporting, prepare submissions and coordinate responses to supervisory queries
• Monitor technology, cybersecurity and data protection risks with Engineering and Security
• Assess settlement, liquidity and financial risks related to funds flows, reconciliation and partners
• Manage third-party and outsourcing risk: due diligence, assessments and ongoing monitoring
• Provide regular risk reporting and trend updates to senior management and the Board
• Build and operate the UAE fraud risk management framework aligned to CBUAE expectations
• Oversee fraud detection, monitoring, investigations and incident remediation processes
• Identify emerging fraud patterns (first-party, third-party, mule activity, identity fraud, social engineering) and implement preventive controls
• Work with Product, Data and Engineering to enhance fraud rules, models and automated controls
• Define fraud KPIs, thresholds and dashboards; report trends to senior management and the Board
• Drive customer education on fraud prevention and promote a fraud-aware internal culture

Requirements

• 6+ years experience in risk and/or fraud management in fintech, payments or financial services
• Strong knowledge of CBUAE regulations and proven regulatory engagement experience
• Proven track record building and maintaining risk & fraud frameworks and incident processes
• Strong analytical skills and clear cross-functional communication
• Hands-on, proactive and solutions-oriented approach

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior role as designated risk officer or similar regulated position in the UAE
• Experience with fraud models, rules engineering and automation (rules, ML-backed models)
• Familiarity with settlement, liquidity and reconciliation controls in payments environments
• Experience managing vendor/outsourcing risk and third-party due diligence
• Comfortable working in fast-paced startup environments and influencing senior stakeholders

Benefits

• Benefits not specified in the job posting; competitive startup benefits and details to be shared during the hiring process
• Equal opportunity employer and inclusive hiring practices

About the Company

Taptap Send is a mission-driven cross-border fintech founded in 2019 that enables immigrants to send money home quickly and affordably. Backed by leading investors, the company operates across emerging markets and prioritizes impact, speed and strong product-driven growth. The team is global and values-driven, working to reduce inequity by making remittances cheaper and more accessible.