In-demand specialisations: DORA, MiCA, AI Act and AML as a project profile

Short answer: DORA, MiCA, the AI Act and anti-money laundering (AML) are in-demand specialisations for temporary legal and compliance projects in Switzerland and Germany. DORA specialist jobs typically call for a grounding in financial regulation, experience with IT or outsourcing contracts and hands-on project work. Firms hire at every level, most often Experienced professionals with three to six years of experience.

This guide is for lawyers and compliance professionals who want to specialise for contract and interim projects. It explains what the four frameworks require, which tasks come up at each level, how to build the profile and what differs between Switzerland and Germany.

Why are DORA, MiCA, the AI Act and AML in demand?

New regulations create project work that the core team can rarely handle alongside day-to-day business. Firms bring in specialists who know the framework and can contribute from day one. Regulatory change such as DORA, NIS2, the EU AI Act and AML/KYC is therefore a typical trigger for temporary assignments.

All four topics combine law, processes and technology. Employers look for profiles that can read the rules and at the same time work with IT, risk management and business teams.

The four specialisations at a glance

Source: regulation texts and Alpinum Solutions legal research, November 2026.

What do you do at each level?

Tasks grow with experience, from data capture to project leadership. Experienced is the most common level for interim assignments.

• Junior (0–2 years): capture contracts and client files, populate registers and inventories, work KYC cases to a checklist, keep documentation.
• Experienced (3–6 years): analyse gaps against the framework, negotiate contract clauses, draft directives, prepare suspicious activity cases and risk classifications.
• Senior (7+ years): steer workstreams, align with management, internal audit and the supervisor, lead teams, hold formal functions.

Interim professionals can hold formal functions such as anti-money laundering officer or data protection officer, through staff leasing or freelancing, depending on client requirements and the rules in each country. Read more about AML roles in AML and KYC analyst contract roles.

How to become a DORA, MiCA, AI or AML specialist: step by step

1. Pick one main topic: build on your experience. IT contracts lead to DORA, data protection to the AI Act, banking or payments to AML or MiCA.
2. Read the primary texts: work with the regulation itself and with supervisory guidance, not only with summaries.
3. Get hands-on experience: even a small project task counts, such as a contract review for the DORA register or an AI inventory.
4. Describe your profile precisely: name the framework, the task, the sector and the outcome. See CV for interim assignments for how this looks.
5. Add a second topic: DORA and the AI Act overlap on ICT third parties, AML and MiCA on crypto-assets. Two topics widen your choice of projects.
6. Choose model and workload: staff leasing or freelancing, with a workload of 20 to 100 %.

Switzerland and Germany: what differs

EU regulations apply directly in Germany but not in Switzerland. Swiss projects rely on Swiss law and FINMA requirements.

Anyone working for Swiss groups with EU entities needs both sides, and that combination is particularly sought after. Read more about the Swiss market in compliance careers through temporary assignments.

Limits and risks

• The rules keep changing: the AI Act was amended by the Digital Omnibus in 2026, and the AMLR only applies from July 2027. Keep your knowledge current.
• Responsibility stays with the client: you prepare decisions; reports to the supervisor and decisions on measures are made by the company.
• No external legal advice: on assignment you work for the company, not as an outside adviser.
• Projects end: implementation projects end with the deadline. Plan your next assignment in good time.

Frequently asked questions about in-demand specialisations

How do I get DORA specialist jobs?

A good starting point is experience with IT or outsourcing contracts or with bank or insurance regulation. Read the regulation and the supervisory guidance and gain hands-on experience, for example populating the register of information or updating contracts. With two or three such project tasks you have a credible profile for Experienced roles.

Do I need a certificate?

Not necessarily. Firms mainly look for practical experience with the framework and careful work. Certificates and training in DORA, AI governance or AML show expertise and can tip the balance for senior roles. For entry roles, diligence and the ability to work quickly from primary texts matter most.

Which specialisation will stay in demand longest?

That cannot be predicted with certainty. The deadlines are fixed: the AMLR applies from 10 July 2027, and the AI Act's high-risk obligations for Annex III systems from 2 December 2027. DORA and MiCA already apply, so the work there is ongoing maintenance, audit findings and adjustments. Combining two topics keeps you flexible.

Can I do these projects part-time?

Yes. Assignments range from 20 to 100 % workload, depending on the company's needs and your preferences. Gap analyses and directives often suit part-time work. Remediation projects with many client files, or work close to a deadline, usually require a high workload.

Can a project lead to a permanent role?

Yes. A move into the team (temp-to-perm) is possible; the terms are agreed in advance. Permanent roles often emerge when a company builds a lasting function for DORA, AI governance or AML after the implementation.

Next step

Alpinum Solutions is the leading provider of interim legal & compliance in the DACH region and staffs DORA, MiCA, AI Act and AML projects from junior to senior level. Create your profile and name your frameworks, tasks and sectors.

• Careers: legal and compliance contract jobs
• Sanctions and financial crime specialist: profile for temporary assignments
• Legal operations and legal tech contract roles
• For candidates: all guides on careers and interim assignments

Last updated: 11 November 2026.