Payment Maldives Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), has announced an open call for applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), seeking an experienced executive to lead and strengthen the country’s national payments infrastructure. The company, which operates under the oversight of the central bank, plays a central role in enabling digital transactions and advancing financial inclusion across the island nation’s widely dispersed geography.
The CEO will be appointed on a two-year contract, with the possibility of extension based on performance, and will report directly to the Board of Directors of Payment Maldives. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all core functions of the company and for guiding its evolution as a key enabler of secure, efficient and interoperable payment services. As Payment Maldives supports the backbone of digital payments in the Maldives, the role carries significant responsibility for ensuring that consumers, businesses and institutions have access to reliable and modern payment solutions.
The public announcement outlines the search for a performance-oriented leader with a strong background in payments, fintech, banking or other regulated financial services. The CEO will be expected to provide clear strategic direction, safeguard the operational reliability of national payment systems and guide the organisation’s growth within a tightly regulated environment. This includes working closely with the Board to develop and implement a long-term strategy that supports innovation, resilience and inclusion, while maintaining the trust of market participants and regulators.
According to the terms of reference, the CEO’s responsibilities will cover a broad spectrum of strategic and operational priorities. These include maintaining secure and uninterrupted payment operations, expanding participation in the national payments network, and promoting wider adoption of digital payment channels across the Maldives, including in remote atolls where access to financial services can be more challenging. The role will require careful balancing of commercial sustainability with broader public policy goals, particularly in areas such as cost-effective access, user protection and system resilience.
Financial oversight constitutes a core pillar of the position. The CEO will be responsible for profit and loss management, ensuring transparent and accountable procurement practices, and directing financial and operational resources towards system security, capacity building and inclusion initiatives. The role will also require active engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, acting as the primary point of contact for regulators, government agencies and international partners. In this capacity, the CEO must ensure that Payment Maldives remains fully compliant with regulatory requirements in areas such as risk management, anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, as well as data protection and cybersecurity.
The eligibility criteria highlight the seniority and technical depth required for the post. Candidates must hold a master’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field such as finance, economics, information technology, law, public policy or business administration. They are also required to have at least 15 years of senior professional experience, including a minimum of five to seven years in an executive leadership role with board-level reporting responsibilities. Familiarity with the Maldivian context or with financial and regulatory systems in similar small-island or emerging markets is described as desirable, reflecting the specific opportunities and operational realities of delivering digital financial services across an archipelagic country.
Applications for the position of CEO of Payment Maldives must be submitted by 15 January 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Maldives time, together with all supporting documentation specified in the public announcement. The company has stated that applications received after the deadline will not be considered. The recruitment process signals an important opportunity for experienced financial and technology leaders to contribute to the ongoing modernisation of the Maldives’ payments ecosystem, supporting a more connected, inclusive and digitally enabled economy for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
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