An Ethics Officer in UAE earns between AED 168,000 and AED 300,000 per year. The role develops and enforces the organisation’s code of ethics, investigates misconduct complaints, and promotes an ethical culture across the business. It requires a bachelor’s degree in law, business, or a related field, 6 to 12 years of compliance or ethics experience, and knowledge of UAE anti-bribery and whistleblower regulations.
UAE and Saudi Arabia
Salary: AED 168,000–300,000
Updated 2025
Ethics Officer Responsibilities
The table below lists the primary responsibilities of a Ethics Officer in UAE and Saudi Arabia as of 2025. Each responsibility is stated as a discrete, measurable activity.
| Responsibility | Frequency | Output / Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Develop and maintain the organisation’s code of ethics and conduct | Annual | Code reviewed, updated, and published annually |
| Investigate ethics complaints and misconduct reports | Per complaint | Investigation completed within 30 days; outcome documented |
| Operate the ethics hotline and anonymous reporting system | Ongoing | All reports acknowledged within 24 hours |
| Deliver ethics training to all staff and leadership | Annual | 100 percent of staff trained within 12-month cycle |
| Report ethics programme metrics to board audit committee | Quarterly | Ethics dashboard presented at audit committee meeting |
| Ensure compliance with UAE anti-bribery law and UNCAC obligations | Ongoing | Annual anti-corruption compliance review completed |
Ethics Officer Qualifications and Requirements
The following qualifications apply to a Ethics Officer role in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Requirements vary by sector and employer size.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business Ethics, or Compliance |
| Experience | 6 to 12 years in compliance, legal, or ethics roles |
| Certifications | Certified Ethics and Compliance Professional (CECP) or ICA Ethics qualification preferred |
| UAE law | UAE Penal Code (anti-bribery provisions), Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2023 (whistleblower protection) knowledge |
| Investigation | Internal investigation and misconduct inquiry experience |
| Communication | Ethics training delivery, board reporting, and staff communication skills |
All employment contracts in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. A Ethics Officer employed in mainland UAE requires a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) approved contract. ADGM, DIFC, and free zone employees are subject to their respective authority’s employment regulations.
How RFS Recruits a Ethics Officer
- You brief RFS with the role specification, seniority level, and team structure. The briefing call takes 30 minutes.
- RFS searches its active candidate database and activates direct outreach within 24 hours of instruction.
- RFS delivers a shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened Ethics Officer candidates within 48 to 72 hours.
- You conduct interviews. RFS coordinates scheduling and candidate communication throughout.
- RFS supports offer negotiation and manages the candidate’s notice period and onboarding.
- The 6-month replacement guarantee activates from the candidate’s start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an Ethics Officer earn in UAE?
An Ethics Officer in UAE earns between AED 168,000 and AED 300,000 per year. Banking and financial services Ethics Officers earn AED 216,000 to AED 300,000. Government and semi-government entity Ethics Officers earn AED 168,000 to AED 240,000.
What ethics laws apply in UAE?
UAE anti-bribery provisions are contained in the UAE Penal Code (Federal Law No. 3 of 1987, as amended). Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2023 introduced whistleblower protection for the first time. DIFC and ADGM apply their own anti-bribery and ethics frameworks. UAE government entities are additionally subject to the Federal Public Funds Protection Law.
How does RFS recruit Ethics Officers?
RFS sources Ethics Officer candidates for financial institutions, corporates, and government entities across UAE and Saudi Arabia. A shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened candidates is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. The retained search fee is 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation.
What an Ethics Officer does in UAE
An Ethics Officer in UAE manages the corporate ethics programme for a large organisation, overseeing the code of conduct, anti-bribery and corruption framework, speak-up system, and ethics training to build an ethical culture aligned with UAE commercial law and international anti-corruption standards.
Key responsibilities
- Develop and implement the corporate ethics and code of conduct programme for UAE operations
- Manage the UAE anti-bribery and anti-corruption framework aligned with UAE Federal Law No. 31 of 2021
- Operate the speak-up hotline and manage ethics investigation process for UAE and GCC
- Lead ethics awareness training and code of conduct education across UAE workforce
- Conduct ethics risk assessments for UAE business activities and third-party relationships
- Manage conflict of interest disclosure programme for UAE employees
- Oversee gifts and hospitality policy management and approval processes
- Manage ethics investigation findings and coordinate with HR and legal on disciplinary actions
- Report ethics programme metrics and investigation outcomes to the Audit Committee
- Monitor UAE anti-corruption law developments and update the ethics programme accordingly
Qualifications required
- Bachelor degree in law, compliance, or business administration
- CEP (Certified Ethics and Compliance Professional) or ICA qualification preferred
- 4 to 9 years ethics and compliance experience with UAE operations exposure
- Deep knowledge of UAE Federal Law No. 31 of 2021 (anti-corruption), UAE Penal Code, and FCPA/UK Bribery Act
- Investigation skills for ethics and compliance incident management
- Arabic language skills preferred for UAE workforce engagement and authority interactions
- Anti-bribery due diligence experience for UAE third-party and agent management
- Training delivery and employee engagement skills for UAE multicultural workforce
Ethics Officer salary by employer type in UAE
| Employer type | Annual salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| UAE government-linked entity or SOE compliance | 200,000–360,000 |
| Multinational corporation UAE ethics function | 220,000–400,000 |
| UAE listed company or major private group | 190,000–350,000 |
| Financial institution or regulated entity UAE | 210,000–380,000 |
Contract terms for this role in UAE
Ethics Officer roles carry a 30 to 60 day notice period. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 applies to your end-of-service gratuity at 21 days basic salary per year for the first five years.
Hire a Ethics Officer in UAE or Saudi Arabia
RFS delivers a shortlist of pre-screened Ethics Officer candidates in 48 to 72 hours. Retained search fee: 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation. 6-month replacement guarantee on all placements.
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