Shari’ah Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager

NBC is the oldest serving bank in Tanzania with over five decades of experience. We offer a range of retail, business, corporate and investment banking, wealth management products and services.

Job Summary Serve as the primary custodian of Shari’ah integrity within NBC’s Islamic Banking division by ensuring that all products, processes, transactions, contracts, and customer interactions are fully compliant with Shari’ah law and regulatory requirements. The Shari’ah Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Shari’ah compliance framework, conducts independent reviews and audits, manages the Shari’ah Supervisory Board (SSB/SAC) relationship, and supports the development of new Islamic Banking products.
In the absence of, or as delegated by, the Head of Islamic Banking, the role assumes responsibility for oversight of compliance matters, stakeholder reporting, and strategic compliance decisions at the appropriate authority level.

Job Description​

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Shari’ah Compliance Framework & Governance  |  30%

Owns and continuously strengthens the Shari’ah compliance architecture of the Islamic Banking division, ensuring it meets regulatory expectations and SAC directives. In the absence of the Head, represents the division in compliance and regulatory engagements.

1.     Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the Shari’ah Compliance Policy, Standards, and Procedures to align with evolving Shari’ah principles, AAOIFI standards, and Bank of Tanzania regulatory guidance.

2.     Serve as the primary liaison between the Bank and the Shari’ah Advisory Committee (SAC): organise meetings, prepare agenda papers, distribute minutes, implement decisions and fatwas, and maintain a fatwa register.

3.    Monitor the implementation of SAC decisions and approved fatwas across all business areas, escalating non-implementation risks to the Head of Islamic Banking.

4.    Ensure all new products, services, processes, and contracts receive appropriate SAC approval prior to launch, maintaining a comprehensive approval register.

5.    Act as the primary point of contact for Bank of Tanzania and other regulatory bodies on Islamic Banking compliance matters, deputising for the Head of Islamic Banking in regulatory interactions as required.

6.    Prepare and present Shari’ah compliance reports to the Head of Islamic Banking, EXCO, and the Board Audit & Risk Committee, escalating significant findings and remediation plans.

2. Shari’ah Reviews, Audits & Quality Assurance  |  25%

Conducts independent, systematic reviews of all Islamic Banking activities to detect, report, and remediate Shari’ah non-compliance risks before they materialise into reputational or regulatory issues.

7.    Conduct comprehensive quarterly Shari’ah compliance reviews across all Islamic Banking products, contracts, agreements, operational processes, and customer transactions, documenting findings and agreed remediation actions.

8.    Develop and execute an annual Shari’ah Internal Audit Plan, coordinating with the Internal Audit function to ensure Islamic Banking is audited to the required depth and frequency.

9.    Perform pre-launch Shari’ah Quality Assurance assessments for new products, system changes, and process modifications, providing a formal sign-off or list of conditions to the Head of Islamic Banking before go-live.

10.  Maintain a Shari’ah Non-Compliance Register, tracking all identified violations, root causes, corrective actions, and closure timelines, and providing periodic status updates to the Head of Islamic Banking.

11.   Coordinate with Internal Audit, External Auditors, and the SAC during Shari’ah audits, providing required documentation, explanations, and access to records.

3. Islamic Product Development Support  |  20%

Partners with the business team to ensure that all new Islamic Banking products and innovations are built on a sound Shari’ah foundation from conception to launch.

12.  Participate from the earliest stage in all Islamic product development initiatives, providing Shari’ah guidance on permissible structures, contract types, profit mechanisms, and documentation requirements.

13.  Prepare comprehensive Shari’ah risk assessments for new products and product modifications, documenting all identified Shari’ah risks and proposed mitigations for SAC review.

14.  Review and approve all product documentation, customer contracts, marketing materials, and terms & conditions for Shari’ah compliance before publication or customer issuance.

15.  Monitor the ongoing Shari’ah performance of launched products through monthly product compliance reviews, identifying any drift from approved structures and recommending corrective actions.

16.  Benchmark NBC’s Islamic products against regional and international best practices, identifying opportunities for innovation and product enhancement.

4. Shari’ah Training, Awareness & Culture  |  15%

Builds a strong Shari’ah compliance culture across NBC by equipping staff with the knowledge, skills, and awareness needed to uphold Islamic Banking integrity in their day-to-day work.

17.  Design and deliver a structured Shari’ah compliance training programme for all Islamic Banking staff, branch teams, and relevant support functions, ensuring competency levels meet defined standards.

18.  Develop Shari’ah compliance induction materials for all new employees working in or interfacing with the Islamic Banking division.

19.  Maintain a library of Shari’ah guidance notes, FAQs, approved product manuals, and compliance checklists accessible to all relevant staff.

20. Champion a culture of proactive Shari’ah compliance, encouraging staff to raise concerns and queries through established channels without fear of reprisal.

5. Reporting, Governance & Additional Responsibilities  |  10%

21.  Compile and submit periodic Shari’ah compliance reports to the Head of Islamic Banking for inclusion in management packs and Board papers.

22.  Maintain accurate governance records including SAC minutes, fatwa registers, compliance review reports, training records, and product approval files.

23. Support the Head of Islamic Banking in preparing Islamic Banking strategy papers, business performance reports, and regulatory submissions as required.

24. Perform other duties and special assignments as directed by the Head of Islamic Banking or Managing Director, including representing the department in compliance forums or inter-departmental working groups.

ROLE / PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education and Experience Required

Essential

•     Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Banking and Finance, Shari’ah Law, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.

•     Minimum 3 years of experience in a Shari’ah compliance, Islamic banking, or related financial services role.

•     Strong theoretical and applied knowledge of Shari’ah law as it applies to Islamic finance products and banking operations.

•     Practical experience in conducting Shari’ah reviews, preparing compliance reports, and engaging with Shari’ah advisory bodies.

•     Experience in Islamic product development or assessment from a Shari’ah compliance perspective.

Desirable

•     Professional qualification in Islamic Banking or Shari’ah (e.g., CIPA, AAOIFI CSAA, IFQ, or equivalent) is a strong advantage.

•     Experience with AAOIFI Shari’ah Standards and their practical application in a commercial bank.

•     Familiarity with Bank of Tanzania regulatory requirements and guidelines for Islamic Banking.

•     Postgraduate qualification in Islamic Finance, Finance, Law, or Business is an added advantage.

Knowledge & Skills

•     Shari’ah Expertise: Deep, applied understanding of Shari’ah principles, fiqh al-muamalat, and Islamic finance contracts (Murabaha, Ijarah, Musharaka, Mudaraba, Wakala, Sukuk, etc.).

•     Compliance & Risk Management: Ability to design and implement compliance frameworks, conduct risk assessments, manage audit processes, and maintain regulatory relationships.

•     Product Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of Islamic Banking product structures, pricing mechanisms, and operational workflows.

•     Analytical & Research Skills: Ability to research complex Shari’ah matters, synthesise findings, and produce clear, well-reasoned compliance opinions.

•     Communication & Reporting: Excellent written and verbal communication; able to draft governance papers, policy documents, and present findings to senior management and Board committees.

•     Attention to Detail: High degree of accuracy in reviewing contracts, documentation, and financial transactions for Shari’ah compliance.

Competencies

•     Integrity & Ethical Conduct – Maintains the highest standards of personal and professional conduct; upholds Shari’ah principles without compromise.

•     Analytical Thinking – Applies rigorous, evidence-based analysis to complex compliance challenges and product structures.

•     Influencing Without Authority – Guides and advises business teams on compliance matters in a constructive, enabling manner.

•     Planning & Organising – Manages multiple workstreams (audit cycles, product reviews, SAC meetings) with precision and on schedule.

•     Learning and Researching – Continuously updates Shari’ah knowledge; keeps abreast of regulatory changes and global Islamic finance developments.

•     Delivering Results & Meeting Customer Expectations – Produces high-quality compliance outputs that add tangible value to the business.

•     Deciding and Initiating Action – Identifies and escalates compliance risks promptly; recommends clear and actionable remediation measures.

Qualifications Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas - Business, Commerce and Management Studies, Compliance Advisory & Interpretation (Meets some of the requirements and would need further development), Compliance Experience, Digital familiarity (Meets some of the requirements and would need further development), Ethics and values (Meets all of the requirements), Openness to change (Meets some of the requirements and would need further development), Reasoning (Meets all of the requirements)