Policy and Regulations Specialist - Sandbox Dubai

Life at Dubai Future Foundation

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) aims to realize the wise vision of Dubai's leadership to institutionalize the envisioned future and forward-thinking methodologies, while positioning Dubai as the leading city of the future. In partnership with its local and global partners from governments, companies, startups, and entrepreneurs, DFF drives joint efforts to collectively imagine, design, and execute the best possible future for humanity.

Under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, the DFF runs and oversees many futureproofing projects and initiatives, such as the Museum of the Future, Area 2071, The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Dubai Future Accelerators, Dubai Future Academy, Dubai Future Solutions, Dubai Future Labs, Dubai Future Forum, and Sandbox Dubai. DFF's efforts to share knowledge, adopt innovation, support entrepreneurs and innovative startups, build capacity, and promote forward-thinking and foresight principles contribute to Dubai's ambitions to be a role model for the cities of the future through the power of unlimited imagination, innovation, foresight and disruptive mindset.

For more information on the initiatives, projects, and programs of Dubai Future Foundation, please visit the website: www.dubaifuture.ae

Where does this role fit into the bigger picture

Dubai Future Foundation recently launched Sandbox Dubai, a Regulatory Sandbox that centers around key themes such as: Artificial Intelligence, Health Tech, Green technology, and Real Estate technology. We would like to invite talented and experienced individuals to join our dynamic team as we embark on this journey.

As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of the modern regulatory landscape, we are seeking talented individuals who are eager to contribute their expertise and creativity to the Sandbox Dubai initiatives. We aim to explore novel solutions, foster collaboration across sectors, and pave the way for transformative changes that benefit both consumers and industries of Dubai.

In the broader context of Sandbox Dubai, the Policy and Regulations Specialist reports to the Head of Policy of Sandbox Dubai and will collaborate closely with the Sandbox Director as well as the team leads in Strategy, Partnerships and Operations.

Policy and Regulations Specialist

As a Policy and Regulations Specialist for Sandbox Dubai, you will be responsible for developing adaptive regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with compliance. You will conduct regulatory research, draft policy recommendations, engage stakeholders, design sandbox experiments, and ensure alignment with Dubai's legal frameworks. This role requires expertise in regulatory affairs combined with strategic policy development skills.

Regulatory Affairs & Policy Development

• Conduct in-depth research on global best practices in adaptive regulation and identify opportunities for regulatory modernization in Dubai that aligns with Dubai's economic and innovation strategies to support sustainable growth and competitiveness.
• Identify gaps in existing legislative and regulatory frameworks related to Sandbox priority areas (AI, Health Tech, Green Tech, Real Estate Tech) and propose evidence-based solutions for modernization.
• Identify specific laws or regulations requiring amendments to accommodate innovative solutions.
• Support the design of Sandbox experiments by providing regulatory context and ensuring alignment with Sandbox Dubai's strategic goals.
• Provide guidance to innovators on regulatory parameters for Sandbox experiments, as well as partner with the operations team and regulators to monitor compliance with UAE federal laws and Dubai-specific regulations during Sandbox experimentation phases.
• Draft policy briefs, reports, and recommendations for internal use and external stakeholders.
• Monitor global best practices in emerging tech policies and integrate lessons learned into local policy drafting processes.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate workshops or consultative sessions with regulators, innovators, and other stakeholders to gather insights for policy development or regulatory adjustments.
• Provide subject matter expertise to regulators and innovators to address regulatory barriers effectively.
• Present findings, recommendations, or policy updates to key stakeholders for informed decision-making.

Analysis & Thought Leadership

• Prepare detailed reports summarizing findings from Sandbox experiments to support evidence-based policymaking.
• Prepare comparative analyses of policies from international innovation hubs to inform evidence-based policymaking and contribute to thought leadership in regulatory modernization.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of Dubai's legal frameworks and global trends in adaptive regulation.
• Maintain comprehensive records of policy changes, rationales, stakeholder inputs, and Sandbox experiment learnings to ensure transparency and institutional knowledge management.

Why this role is important

As a Policy and Regulations Specialist for Sandbox Dubai, your work will directly contribute to shaping adaptive regulatory frameworks that enable innovation while ensuring compliance with Dubai's legal standards. By bridging policy development with regulatory affairs, you will play a critical role in fostering a supportive environment for innovators across key sectors such as AI, HealthTech, GreenTech, and PropTech. Your efforts will ensure that Sandbox Dubai remains a global leader in regulatory modernization, driving Dubai's ambition to be a future-ready city and a hub for transformative technologies.

What Dubai Future Foundation offers

We will offer you a unique opportunity to work with passionate people, support shapers of the future as well as work that has an impact, not only on the organization but all of humankind.

You will have the chance to work on exciting and new projects, work in a highly diverse and fast paced environment that fosters creativity, disruptive ideas and innovation.

Skills

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Public Policy, Law, Economics, Political Science, Technology Management, or a related discipline. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 57 years of experience in policy analysis, regulatory affairs, or innovation-driven programs. Experience working within emerging technologies or innovation ecosystems is highly desirable.
• Specialization: Demonstrated expertise in regulatory frameworks, policy development, and regulatory modernization is required. Familiarity with federal laws and Dubai-specific regulations is strongly preferred.
• Industry Expertise: Experience working with government agencies, regulatory bodies, international organizations, or innovation hubs is required. Experience in one or more of the priority thematic areas (AI/Technology, Healthcare, Infrastructure/Real Estate, Sustainability) is strongly preferred.
• Skills required: Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights. Proficiency in drafting legal documents and policy briefs. Excellent organizational skills with a focus on meeting deadlines and managing multiple projects concurrently. Familiarity with project management tools and data analysis tools (e.g., MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel) is a plus.
• Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional communication skills to effectively manage relationships with high-level stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams. Ability to present policy updates clearly to Sandbox Dubai leadership and external stakeholders while addressing challenges and mobilizing cross-team responses efficiently.
• Languages: Fluent in reading, writing & presenting in both Arabic & English.
• Mindset: Agile, proactive, self-driven, and ready to work independently or collaboratively as part of a team. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and delivering high-quality outcomes.