Fitch Ratings Hiring for Islamic Finance – Senior Credit Ratings Analyst – Dubai Job at Dubai Full Time

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Department overview:

At Fitch Ratings, we have been providing independent and objective credit ratings to the Islamic Finance market for over a decade, with a strong track record in Islamic Finance. We currently rate over 150 outstanding Islamic Finance instruments worldwide and more than 36 Islamic Finance based issuers.

Fitch’s Islamic Finance Group coordinates all Islamic Finance activities and expertise across the Sovereign, Financial Institutions, Corporates, Structured Finance, Infrastructure, and Insurance teams. In addition to being involved in the rating process of Islamic Finance instruments, the group monitors and reports on this rapidly growing sector through specialised research and commentary, as well as criteria development.

The Islamic Finance team spans various continents and time zones and brings a combination of local knowledge and a strategic global perspective to this evolving sector.

Role Overview

Based in Dubai, the role will mainly focus on monitoring the existing as well as rating new Islamic finance entities and transactions. This role will cover multiple regions, and will involve collecting and analysing portfolio data, the review of legal documentation and analysis of the transaction structures as well as communication with counterparties.

Key Responsibilities:

• For new sukuk issues or when documentation or structures are updated for an existing rated sukuk, assist in reviewing and with the relevant team correctly complete the sukuk templates along with all relevant sukuk documentation.
• Where relevant, write credit analysis reports and press releases on rated sukuk transactions as well as research reports and conduct analysis on industry related topics.
• Provide support for collecting and analysing portfolio data, the review of legal documentation and analysis of the sukuk structure as well as communication with relevant counterparties.
• Consider the individual sukuk waterfall, as well as review all relevant laws and regulations, legal opinions and relevant documentation.
• Assist in the development of the sukuk rating criteria, including researching, preparing and data collection, back testing, and coordinating documentation for the internal review and approval process.
• Collaborate closely with teams in cross sectors globally, that are working on Islamic intuition ratings. The successful applicant will be involved in selected ratings from the initial stages, along with the relevant analytical team.
• Attend initial calls with issuers, bankers and legal team, management meetings, help in drafting and reviewing section on Islamic finance in RC notes and attending Rating committees.
• Assist in exploring and developing templates for rating Islamic finance entities (like Islamic banks and takaful companies (Islamic insurance companies)).
• Develop training cross groups to support all aspects of Islamic finance. This includes actual training.
• Construct a data base on Fitch Islamic finance portfolio, and coordinate with relevant sectors directly or through relevant IFG member(s), as needed. This also covers developing, monitoring and updating key Islamic finance data.
• Monitor and analyse current and new regulations relating to Sukuk and Islamic Finance.
• Support team on research pieces across a range of industry-relevant topics. Help in responding to external queries from investors, bankers and other fixed income market participants.

Qualifications and Experience:

The role would suit an individual with proven relevant experience looking to develop further in an intellectually challenging, analytically rigorous yet supportive environment. Fitch’s Islamic finance analysts have diverse backgrounds, including career financial/credit analysts, professional services, or financial or operational roles in companies.

Desirable qualities include:

• Strong analytical skills and demonstrable experience in research, i.e. credit, Islamic finance, sukuk or execution role within a commercial or investment bank, financial or accounting institution, or a background in the industry or in a regulatory institution. Credit analysis experience would be ideal.
• Good knowledge of the bond markets, financial institutions sector would be an advantage.
• Modelling, data analysis and accounting skills, with an eye for detail.
• Good written and verbal communications skills with fluent written and spoken English. Arabic language skills would be an advantage.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to shift fluidly between multiple projects as priorities change.
• A strong team spirit, enabling him/her to work seamlessly with other members of the team.
• A first-rate academic background. Professional qualifications (e.g. ACA, CFA) an advantage.
• Some travel may be required.

Fitch Group is a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries. Wholly owned by the Hearst Corporation, we are comprised of three main businesses: Fitch Ratings | Fitch Solutions | Fitch Learning.

For more information please visit our websites: www.fitchratings.com | www.fitchsolutions.com | www.fitchlearning.com

Fitch is committed to providing global securities markets with objective, timely, independent and forward-looking credit opinions. To protect Fitch’s credibility and reputation, our employees must take every precaution to avoid conflicts of interests or any appearance of a conflict of interest. Should you be successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will be asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts prior to commencing employment. If you, or your immediate family, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, you may be asked to divest yourself of them before beginning work.

Fitch is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

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