AVP-Ratings (Banking & Islamic Finance) | Dubai, UAE

Maseera; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Moody's Dubai seeks an AVP-Ratings in Banking & Islamic Finance to oversee credit analysis and rating recommendations for a portfolio of conventional and Islamic banks in the Middle East. You will lead the Islamic Finance franchise, coordinate across markets, and engage with senior stakeholders.

Requires strong academic background, advanced degree in finance or Islamic finance, and experience in banking risk assessment. English fluency is essential; Arabic knowledge is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Strong academic background with advanced degree in finance or Islamic finance.
• Professional qualification such as CFA, ACCA, CIMA would be beneficial.
• Extensive credit or risk assessment experience in banking or Islamic finance setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present to rating committees.
• Willingness to travel across the Middle East and wider EMEA.
• Fluency in English; Arabic is a plus.
• Familiarity with AI concepts and responsible AI practices.
• Interest in applying AI to enhance analytical processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of conventional and Islamic banks across the Middle East, delivering credit analysis, research and rating recommendations.
• Perform in-depth fundamental credit analysis including assessment of financial performance, asset quality, capital, funding, liquidity, governance and risk management.
• Lead Moody's Islamic Finance franchise, coordinating across markets and engaging stakeholders through research pieces.
• Analyse Islamic finance features including Sharia-compliant assets and funding structures, sukuk instruments and regulatory considerations.
• Present clear, well-supported credit recommendations at rating committees.
• Monitor issuer, banking-system, regulatory and macroeconomic developments.

Skills

Credit/Risk assessment

Banks & Islamic finance knowledge

Islamic banking & sukuk

Communication skills

Organization & multitasking

English fluency

AI concepts familiarity

Ethical AI awareness

Education

Master's/MBA in finance/economics/accounting/Islamic finance

CFA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Job description

AVP-Ratings (Banking & Islamic Finance) | Dubai, UAE

Moody's Dubai

22h ago Full-time via EFinancialCareers AE

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.

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