Director, Head of Research MENA

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial organization is seeking a Senior Economist to enhance MENA research activities and provide strategic economic insights. The role involves producing relevant research content, supporting business development in the region, and managing a team of research analysts. The ideal candidate has a strong background in economics, proven research capabilities, and fluency in English, with Arabic as an advantage. This role offers the opportunity to make meaningful impacts in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Experience as a senior economist in a financial or consulting firm.
• Proven track record of producing research.
• Ability to manage and oversee a research team.

Responsibilities

• Produce research content on crude oil and MENA macroeconomics.
• Support MENA business activities through client meetings.
• Manage the MENA research team to achieve goals.

Skills

Economic theories understanding

Financial analysis

Research writing

Analytical skills

Fluent English

Arabic reading and speaking

Education

University degree in economics

Masters in economics or politics (preferred)

Job description

Do you want your voice heard and your actions to count

Discover your opportunity with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) one of the worlds leading financial groups. Across the globe were 150000 colleagues striving to make a difference for every client organization and community we serve. We stand for our values building long‑term relationships serving society and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world.

With a vision to be the worlds most trusted financial group its part of our culture to put people first listen to new and diverse ideas and collaborate toward greater innovation speed and agility. This means investing in talent technologies and tools that empower you to own your career.

Join MUFG where being inspired is expected and making a meaningful impact is rewarded.

Overall Purpose of Job

Overall specific responsibility for strengthening the MENA research product offering and to provide research support on strategic direction for the MENA region.

Essential Functions

Producing research content

You are responsible for creating crude oil and MENA macro (including Turkey) research content in the form of research reports presentation packs and digital content which will be distributed to internal and external users. You are accountable for the content produced in the report. It is your responsibility to ensure that the content and distribution of the content is consistent with compliance guidelines. You have the responsibility for managing and providing guidance to the research analyst in the team to incorporate new content into the research reports.

Supporting business activities in MENA

You are responsible for supporting MENA business activities mainly within EMEA but also to support teams in other global centres including London New York and Asia. You are responsible for providing timely and insightful analysis on MENA macro and crude oil market developments to clients including in research reports representing the bank in client meetings holding conference calls on important market topics and responding to ad hoc requests from clients and internal stakeholders. As a dual hatted employee you are responsible for managing any conflicts of interest when working with employees and client with both the MUFG Bank and MUFG Securities.

Management of MENA Research team

You are responsible for supporting the day to day running of the MENA Research function. You have the responsibility to manage and oversee the activities of MENA Research ii) you will take over the responsibility for providing updates on macro market developments activities carried out and progress made by MENA Research and wider applicable KPIs and iii) you will oversee and monitor activities carried out by other MENA Research team members to ensure they are working towards the team goals while ensuring that risks management controls are met. It is your responsibility to coach and guide members of the team. MUFG Bank Ltd. A member of MUFG a global financial group

Provide economic insight to senior management and risk management committees

You are responsible for providing economic updates to senior management on important developments for the business including providing economic forecasts for the MTBP. You are responsible for providing regular MENA economic and crude oil market insight to the risk management team to help stress test positions held by the MUFG Bank and Securities. You are responsible for providing MENA market updates at the MUFG Securities Traders Risk meeting and MUFG Bank Asset & Liability Committee (ALCO).

Presenting MUFG market views to the media

You have authority to communicate with the media to present MUFG crude oil and MENA macro market views to help boost the media profile of MUFG and strengthen the MUFG brand globally. You are accountable for comments made to the media and it is your responsibility to ensure that they meet the guidance lines set out by compliance so there is no risk of reputable damage for MUFG. You are responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with the media.

To ensure that risk management controls are followed within MENA Research

You are accountable for ensuring that your research activities are compliant with required rules and regulations set by the compliance legal and Risk Management teams. You are responsible for communicating with the compliance and legal teams to keep ensure that the appropriate and industry accepted disclaimers and attributions on research reports and relevant website are up to date.

Other Requirements

• Relationship with other functions and stakeholders Maintain and enhance good working relationships with stakeholders across the region and globally to share best practices provide support and develop effective local policies and procedures appropriate to the Company and working in support of the One MUFG and overall Group strategy.
• Performance and Duties The role holder will be assessed in accordance with their employing entitys performance framework and process with relevant input obtained from the dual hatting entity as relevant. As duties and responsibilities change the job description will be reviewed and emended in consultation with the role holder. The role holder will carry out other duties as are within the scope spirit and purpose of the role as requested by their line manager or Department Head.

Managing conflicts of interest/dual hat status

• The role holder will have responsibilities for both MUFG Bank and MUFG Securities EMEA plc.
• The role holder will be required to perform their duties and responsibilities on an entity neutral basis without favour.
• The role holder is required to follow regulatory requirements applicable to ensure each business is appropriately supported and to maintain the legal entity integrity of each of MUFG Bank and MUS.
• Working terms are dictated by functional mandates the terms of the Dual-Hat Arrangement Agreement in place between MUFG Bank and MUFG Securities EMEA plc and any other relevant agreements entered into between MUFG Bank and MUFG Securities EMEA plc.
• The role holder will have responsibility for identifying and resolving where there may be a difference or conflict in needs between MUFG Bank and MUFG Securities EMEA plc escalating to their manager where required. MUFG Bank Ltd. A member of MUFG a global financial group
• Line management: Line manage and lead by example the direct reports into this role setting targets and objectives as necessary carrying out interim/end of year reviews along with 1-to-1 meetings as part of managing their performance providing guidance as appropriate.

Education Essential

• University degree (or equivalent) in economics.

Preferred

• Masters in economics or politics.

Work Experience

• Previous experience as a senior economist industry analyst or country analyst in a financial organization research firm or consulting firm in the MENA.

Functional/Technical Skills and Knowledge requirements

• Thorough understanding of economic theories and financial analysis.
• Proven track record of writing research.
• Analytical skill with ability to identify key issues.
• Writing and speaking in English fluently.
• Reading and speaking in Arabic an advantage.
• Thorough understanding of external communication and compliance policies and procedures in relation to research and external communications

We are open to considering flexible working requests in line with organisational requirements.

MUFG is committed to embracing diversity and building an inclusive culture where all employees are valued respected and their opinions count. We support the principles of equality diversity and inclusion in recruitment and employment and oppose all forms of discrimination on the grounds of age sex gender sexual orientation disability pregnancy and maternity race gender reassignment religion or belief and marriage or civil partnership.

We make our recruitment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner in accordance with our commitment to identifying the right skills for the right role and our obligations under the law.

Required Experience

Director