Job Purpose:
This role serves as KU's internal subject-matter expert for export control matters relating to research. The Senior Specialist ensures that sensitive, restricted, or high-risk research activities are identified early and managed proportionately in accordance with applicable UAE non-proliferation regulations and, where legally triggered, relevant foreign export control laws.
The position plays a key enabling role, supporting compliant international collaboration, responsible commercialization, and secure management of controlled technologies, while preserving academic freedom and minimizing administrative burden for low-risk research.
Key Roles & Responsibilities:
Risk identification and Classification
- Administer KU's Export Control for Research activities identified as sensitive, restricted, or high risk.
- Conduct risk-based screening of research proposals, agreements, and collaborations to determine whether export control considerations arise.
- Identify controlled goods, software, technology, or technical data listed in the UAE Goods Schedule.
- Assess whether research activities trigger permit, authorization, or End-User Certificate (EUC) requirements.
- Confirm and document when research qualifies as Fundamental Research and falls outside export control scope.
- Classify controlled items under UAE regulations and assess applicability of foreign export control laws where jurisdictional triggers exist (e.g., foreign-origin controlled items).
Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
- Coordinate the preparation, submission, and management of required UAE permits, authorizations, and EUCs,
- Ensure that controlled circulation of goods, software, technology, or related documentation does not proceed without required approvals.
- Serve as KU's liaison with relevant UAE authorities, including the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN), for high-risk research matters.
- Maintain accurate records of export control reviews, classifications, permits, and related compliance documentation.
Targeted Mitigation and Oversight
- Develop and implement activity-specific mitigation measures (e.g., technology control plans, access controls) for affected research activities, and compliance monitoring.
- Conduct targeted internal reviews of high-risk research activities to verify compliance with imposed controls and permit conditions.
- Monitor developments in UAE export control and non-proliferation regulations and advise KU leadership on material impacts to research activities.
Commercial, Service-based and Contract Research Support
- Conduct export control assessments for commercial, service-based, and contract research activities performed for external entities where activities fall outside Fundamental Research.
- Review agreements involving laboratory services, contract testing, third-party facility access, restricted data, or proprietary engagements to identify potential export control risks.
- Advise on export control implications in research commercialization, industry engagement, and technology transfer activities.
- Coordinate with Legal Affairs, Procurement, and Research Operations where controlled technologies or restricted assets are involved.
Advisory and Capacity Building
- Deliver focused training and awareness sessions emphasizing KU's risk-based and proportionate oversight model.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of KU's export control procedures, templates, and operational practices.
- Act as KU's liaison with competent UAE authorities (including EOCN) for high-risk research matters only, as required.
- Collaborate with Research Operations, Compliance, Legal Affairs, and Procurement and Contracts Departments primarily where export control risks are present, ensuring clear allocation of responsibility.
- Ensure adherence to the University's information security policies and procedures, and report breaches or other security risks accordingly.
- Ensure coordination with other departments to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks and responsibilities, as and when needed.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment and practice to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Line Manager.
Provide expert guidance to Principal Investigators, research teams, and relevant administrative units on:
- Controlled transfers
- Data sharing
- End-use and end-user considerations
- International collaboration risks
- Compliance with permit and license conditions
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in law, International Trade, Compliance, Research Administration, or a related field with preference for Master, Ph.D. or JD degree holders.
- Professional training or certification in export control or trade compliance is an asset.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to connect and build relationships in a university environment.
- Demonstrated experience classifying dual-use goods, software, or technology under national control lists.
- Experience preparing and managing export permits, authorizations, and EUCs.
- Familiarity with UAE non-proliferation regulations and Goods Schedule.
- Experience working within research institutions, universities, or high-technology environments preferred.
- A minimum 7 years of experience.
