Overview
The Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) seeks an experienced legal expert to support its legal, regulatory, governance, standards‑development, and capacity‑building functions. As an international standard‑setting body for Islamic banking, Takaful, and Islamic capital markets, the IFSB issues global prudential standards to strengthen industry stability. The role provides organisation‑wide legal support, including governance, policies, contracts, IP, regulatory processes, and stakeholder engagement, and assists the Secretary‑General and Senior Management with compliance and risk management.
Duties and Responsibilities
Working under the guidance of the Secretary General and in coordination with the Departments (Standards Development and Research, Capacity Development and Membership, Engagement and Resources), the legal expert will be responsible for, among others:
- Lead the development and management of the legal database, conduct research and deliver capacity development activities.
- Provide legal advice on governance documents, membership matters, host‑country legal requirements, and memorandum of understandings or partnerships.
- Ensure legal and procedural compliance in standards development and review drafts for due process, legal soundness, and protocol alignment.
- Draft, review, and negotiate organisational contracts in line with host‑country laws and procurement rules.
- Oversee statutory and internal compliance, prepare governance documents, and support risk and internal control frameworks.
- Engage with members, and partners and represent the IFSB in meetings and events.
- Manage disputes and claims, liaise with external counsel, and safeguard confidential information.
- Prepare briefs and reports, support corporate secretariat functions, and carry out other assigned duties.
Qualifications
- Advanced law degree, with added value from qualifications in Islamic finance, governance, international law, or financial regulation.
- Minimum six (6) years’ legal experience, including four years in regulatory law, Islamic finance, international organisations, financial institutions, or relevant government bodies; experience in public international law or financial‑sector standard‑setting is preferred.
- Strong knowledge of Islamic finance, Shariah governance, regulatory and supervisory processes, international standards, cross‑border legal issues, and IP, with added advantage in FinTech, digital assets, governance, beneficial ownership, and AML/CFT.
- Excellent English communication, drafting, and analytical skills; strong integrity, teamwork, organisation, and stakeholder‑management abilities; Arabic proficiency is an advantage.
