AVP-Ratings (Banking & Islamic Finance)

Moody's; Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Moody's Corporation seeks a senior credit risk professional with expertise in conventional and Islamic banking. You will deliver in-depth credit analysis, research, and rating recommendations across the Middle East, coordinating with stakeholders and leading Islamic finance initiatives.

The role requires strong communication skills, familiarity with Sharia-compliant structures, and willingness to travel across the region. Fluency in English is essential; Arabic skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Strong academic background in finance or Islamic finance with relevant advanced degree.
• Experience in credit or risk assessment within banks, rating agencies or similar.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of conventional and Islamic banks across the Middle East, delivering credit analysis, research and rating recommendations.

Skills

Credit risk analysis

Islamic banking knowledge

Sharia-compliant finance

English fluency

AI concepts

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Master's degree in finance economics accounting or Islamic finance

CFA ACCA CIMA or equivalent

Tools

AI tools

Job description

At Moody's, we unite the brightest minds to turn today's risks into tomorrow's opportunities. We do this by striving to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to be who they are-with the freedom to exchange ideas, think innovatively, and listen to each other and customers in meaningful ways. Moody's is transforming how the world sees risk. As a global leader in ratings and integrated risk assessment, we're advancing AI to move from insight to action-enabling intelligence that not only understands complexity but responds to it. We decode risk to unlock opportunity, helping our clients navigate uncertainty with clarity, speed, and confidence.

If you are excited about this opportunity but do not meet every single requirement, we are seeking candidates who model our values: invest in every relationship, lead with curiosity, champion diverse perspectives, turn inputs into actions, and uphold trust through integrity.

Skills and Competencies

• Significant credit or risk assessment experience gained within a bank, Islamic financial institution, rating agency, asset manager, regulator, public accounting firm or similar analytical environment
• Strong understanding of banks and Islamic financial institutions, including financial statements, key credit drivers, regulatory frameworks and operating environments, supported by strong quantitative skills to interpret complex information and form well-reasoned credit opinions
• Demonstrable knowledge of Islamic banking, with familiarity with sukuk markets and Sharia-compliant financial structures strongly preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce concise, publication-ready research and present complex analysis clearly at rating committees and to senior external stakeholders
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities independently and meet tight deadlines in a high-profile environment, with willingness to travel across the Middle East and wider EMEA region as required
• Fluency in English is essential, Arabic and other relevant language capabilities are beneficial
• Working knowledge of artificial intelligence concepts, with curiosity and enthusiasm for applying AI tools to improve analytical efficiency and processes
• Interest in exploring AI systems and a willingness to develop awareness of responsible AI practices, including risk management and ethical use

Education

• Strong academic background, ideally equivalent to a master's degree or Master of Business Administration in finance, economics, accounting, Islamic finance or another relevant discipline
• A professional qualification such as CFA, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent credential would be beneficial

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of conventional and Islamic banks across the Middle East, delivering credit analysis, research and rating recommendations.

• Manage and support ratings for a portfolio of conventional and Islamic banks, developing a detailed understanding of each institution, its operating environment and relevant peers
• Perform in-depth fundamental credit analysis, including assessment of financial performance, asset quality, capital, funding, liquidity, governance, risk management and the potential for government or affiliate support
• Lead Moody's Islamic Finance franchise, coordinating across markets and engage internal and external stakeholders through thematic or though leadership research pieces and outreach opportunities
• Analyse features specific to Islamic finance, including Sharia-compliant asset and funding structures, profit-sharing investment accounts, displaced commercial risk, sukuk instruments and relevant regulatory considerations
• Apply Moody's methodologies consistently and present clear, well-supported credit recommendations at rating committees
• Monitor issuer, banking-system, regulatory and macroeconomic developments, escalating emerging risks and initiating rating reviews or actions when appropriate
• Write high-quality, focused research on issuers, banking systems, Islamic finance developments and regional credit trends
• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior management at rated institutions, Islamic Finance stakeholders (including industry bodies and regulators), respond to issuer and investor enquiries in line with Moody's policies, and contribute to investor outreach, briefings, roundtables and conferences
• Work collaboratively with Ratings Associates and other analytical teams, providing guidance and review while ensuring strict adherence to methodologies, processes, compliance requirements and conduct-of-business policies

About the Team

Our EMEA Banking team, part of the Financial Institutions Group within Moody's Ratings, is responsible for providing independent credit ratings and research on banks and non-bank financial institutions across the region. We contribute to Moody's by delivering high-quality analysis of conventional and Islamic financial institutions, strengthening our analytical presence in Islamic finance and regional banking markets, and engaging with issuers, investors and other market participants. By joining our team, you will be part of exciting work in banking and Islamic finance across the Middle East, with the opportunity to explore AI-enabled tools that improve analytical efficiency and processes.

Moody's 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.
Candidates for Moody's Corporation may be asked to disclose securities holdings pursuant to Moody's Policy for Securities Trading and the requirements of the position. Employment is contingent upon compliance with the Policy, including remediation of positions in those holdings as necessary.