WATCH | The diverse expertise behind the MFSA’s regulatory mission

If you’re looking to build a career that combines professional growth with meaningful impact, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) offers a wide range of opportunities that extend well beyond traditional regulatory and supervisory roles.

The Authority provides diverse career paths across a variety of fields, many of which sit outside supervision and regulation. Whatever the role, employees play an important part in supporting Malta's financial services sector and serving the wider public interest.

Whether you're in HR, tech, legal, communications, finance, policy, data, administration or supervision, your work enables the Authority to fulfil its mandate effectively. There is also value in strengthening the organisation itself, whether through improving the employee experience, enhancing technology, or attracting and developing talent.

Carol Camilleri, Senior Manager, People and Culture, at the MFSA, says that a career with purpose means knowing that the work you do ultimately contributes to a financial system that people can trust, and that operates in the public’s interest.

“The MFSA’s work is supported by a wide range of expertise, beyond its frontline regulatory functions. Each and every function at the authority plays a part in supporting the MFSA to achieve its objectives,” she says.” While regulation and supervision remain at the heart of the MFSA's mission, delivering on that mandate relies on the expertise and contributions from across the organisation.

As Carol explains, every employee contributes to the Authority's wider objectives in their own way, from frontline regulatory functions to essential support services, each role helps create value for Malta's financial system.

Supporting people who drive the authority’s mission is equally important. Vanessa Ebejer, also a Senior Manager within the People and Culture function, says that continuous learning is a key part of the employee experience at the MFSA.

Employees have access to a broad range of learning opportunities, spanning regulatory, technical and financial-services training, as well as programmes focused on leadership, communication, and other essential workplace skills. Through the MFSA’s Financial Supervisors Academy, staff can further enhance their expertise through the extensive training offered in both technical and professional development training.  

The MFSA also supports continuous learning by supporting employees who choose to pursue further academic qualifications while working. At the same time, initiatives such as internal insight sessions and workshops provide opportunities for colleagues to share expertise and learn from one another.  

Employees are encouraged to discuss their development needs with their managers and identify learning opportunities that support both their current responsibilities and future career aspirations.  

Vanessa explains that learning extends beyond formal training. Gaining exposure to different teams, projects and responsibilities is also a valuable way of enhancing the professional development of employees

“The key message is that employees are encouraged to keep learning throughout their career at the MFSA, whether through formal training, practical experience, internal mobility or learning from colleagues,” she says.

As to what the MFSA looks for in candidates, Carol says that technical skills are only part of the equation:

“Answers are not always readily available in our field,” she says. “Sometimes that willingness to explore, research, and find solutions independently is incredibly important and we empower our people to do that.”

Adaptability and collaboration are also essential. Employees regularly work with colleagues from different disciplines and professional backgrounds, bringing together diverse perspectives to solve complex challenges. And with regulation and financial services constantly evolving, employees need to be comfortable learning and adapting.

“We don't expect people at the beginning of their careers to have all the answers,” Carol says. “We look for people who are curious enough to ask the right questions, and who are motivated enough to learn.”

Because of the breadth of career opportunities available at the MFSA, a background in financial service is not a prerequisite for each and every role. While some technical and supervisory positions require specialist knowledge, the MFSA also recruits professionals from a diverse range of fields including law, tech, cybersecurity, HR and other specialist disciplines.

Vanessa says that, in the case of someone starting their career, she would focus more on their potential, their ability to learn, and their genuine interest in the work of the Authority.

“Financial services knowledge can be developed, particularly at entry level,” she says. “What we also look for is curiosity, analytical thinking, integrity, adaptability and a genuine willingness to learn.”

Professional development is only one part of the employee experience. Employees benefit from a wide range of initiatives and benefits including private health insurance, hybrid working and flexibility, opportunities such as job shadowing, initiatives designed to support employees' physical, mental and overall wellbeing, family-friendly support, and a strong focus on inclusion and employee experience.  

Beyond its work, the MFSA is defined by its people-focused culture. The diversity of expertise across the authority creates opportunities for employees to learn from colleagues with different experiences, skills, and perspectives.

 “There is a strong sense that people are working towards something bigger than their individual team or function,” Carol says.

“You can talk about having a collaborative and people-focused culture, but you only truly understand what that means when you experience the willingness of colleagues to openly share their knowledge, and support one another towards achieving individual, team and organisation-wide goals.”

For people looking to start or develop their careers, the MFSA offers more than a job. Whether working in compliance, technology, people management, communications, data, finance or another specialist area, employees have the opportunity to continue learning, build new skills and contribute to work that has a wider impact on Malta's financial services sector.