Islamic Products & Shariah Subject Matter Expert

Job Summary

The Islamic Products & Shariah Subject Matter Expert (SME) is responsible for providing deep expertise in Shariah-compliant financial products and ensuring alignment with Islamic jurisprudence principles. The role supports product development, review, implementation, and ongoing governance of Islamic banking products, while working closely with business, operations, risk, compliance, and Shariah governance teams.

Key Responsibilities

Shariah Expertise & Governance

• Serve as the subject matter expert on Shariah principles related to Islamic finance, including Fiqh al-Muamalat
• Ensure all Islamic banking products and processes comply with Shariah guidelines and Shariah Board approvals
• Support Shariah audits, reviews, and ongoing compliance monitoring

Islamic Product Development & Review

• Support design, structuring, and review of Islamic products such as Murabaha, Ijarah, Musharakah, Mudarabah, Wakalah, Salam, Istisna’a, and Sukuk
• Review product structures, contracts, documentation, and workflows for Shariah compliance
• Assist in development of new Islamic products and enhancement of existing offerings

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with Shariah Board, Product, Operations, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Finance, and Technology teams
• Translate Shariah rulings and fatwas into clear operational and system requirements
• Act as the key point of contact for resolving Shariah-related product and operational issues

Policies, Documentation & Controls

• Develop and review Shariah policies, product manuals, SOPs, and contracts
• Ensure proper documentation, disclosures, and customer communications for Islamic products
• Support implementation of Shariah governance frameworks and internal controls

Regulatory & Audit Support

• Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements for Islamic banking
• Support internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and remediation actions
• Monitor changes in Islamic finance standards (AAOIFI, IFSB, local regulators) and assess impact

Training & Knowledge Enablement

• Act as a knowledge resource for internal teams on Islamic finance concepts and products
• Develop and deliver training programs on Shariah principles and Islamic banking products
• Support awareness initiatives to strengthen Shariah compliance culture

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Islamic finance principles and Shariah-compliant product structures
• Ability to interpret Shariah rulings and translate them into practical operational guidance
• Strong analytical, documentation, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
• High attention to detail and ethical standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Finance, Shariah, Economics, Finance, or related field
• Advanced qualifications in Islamic Finance or Shariah (preferred)
• 5–10+ years of experience in Islamic banking, Shariah advisory, or Islamic product management

Preferred Experience

• Experience working with Shariah Boards and regulators
• Exposure to Shariah audits and governance frameworks
• Experience with Islamic core banking systems or Islamic windows