Sovereign Analyst – Director, Middle East and Africa

Dual-headquartered in New York and London, Fitch Ratings is a leading provider of credit ratings, commentary and research. Dedicated to providing value beyond the rating through independent and prospective credit opinions, Fitch Ratings offers global perspectives shaped by strong local market experience and credit market expertise. The additional context, perspective and insights we provide help investors to make important credit judgments with confidence. 

Fitch Solutions delivers credit market data, analytical tools and risk services to the global financial community. In addition to offering proprietary market based content, Fitch Solutions distributes the ratings, research and financial data of Fitch Ratings through a variety of flexible platforms. With innovation and experience behind every solution, Fitch Solutions helps financial professionals meet the diverse and evolving needs of today’s global markets.

Fitch Ratings and Fitch Solutions, along with Fitch Learning, are part of the Fitch Group, a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries. Fitch Group is subsidiary of New York-based Hearst Corporation. 

Department overview:

The Fitch Ratings Sovereigns Group provides credit research and opinion on some 114 countries, and assigns ratings to the foreign and local currency debt of sovereign governments that account for virtually all of sovereign international debt issuance.

The Sovereigns group offers forward-looking special reports and a range of web-based analytical tools, allowing investors to access comprehensive economic data and credit indicators and perform relative value analysis. We also host teleconferences, seminars and conferences in the world's major financial centres to keep investors ahead of the curve. The depth and accuracy of our coverage and timeliness of our research are key reasons why the capital markets put their trust in a Fitch sovereign rating.

Responsibilities:

As a Director in the Sovereigns team covering the Middle East and Africa you will act as the ‘primary analyst’ for maintaining a portfolio of around 5 sovereign ratings, developing deep expert knowledge on these economies and working with significant independence, reporting to the regional team head.

The initial portfolio is expected to include mainly, but not exclusively, francophone countries in Africa. The exact portfolio will depend on the need to deploy the department’s resources optimally to meet rating review schedules.

You will be expected to maintain good working relationships with relevant officials in central banks and government, as well as third party experts, so that you are able to regularly update your credit view and country economic databases and forecasts. You will organise and lead annual rating visits and teleconference calls as well as prepare recommendations, supporting research and presentations for the Sovereign Rating Committee.

You will typically also provide support to colleagues on the ratings of a further three to four sovereign governments as a ‘secondary analyst’. This may involve supervising less experienced staff.

You will also initiate and produce topical research on economic and credit developments on the countries in your portfolio, as well as regional themes. This will typically take the form of brief topical commentary such as FitchWire articles and more substantive special reports.

You will also represent and communicate Fitch’s views externally, such as by speaking at conferences, holding meetings with investors and other market participants and interacting with print and broadcast media.

There is considerable international travel associated with this position (while highly variable, 3 to 4 days out of the office once or twice a month would not be uncommon).

Qualifications and Experience:

• A strong understanding of macroeconomics and a keen interest and awareness of international and political affairs, underpinned by at least a first degree in economics or a very closely-related discipline. A master’s degree in economics would be an advantage.
• Significant experience of country/sovereign risk analysis and/or applied economics gained from within a top institution such as a finance ministry, central bank, private research house or financial institution.
• Fluent spoken and written English, and fluent spoken French to a level that allows you to conduct business meetings and make presentations.

Additionally, you must be able to demonstrate the following attributes:

• Analytical and numerical skills - You must be able to identify, initiate and undertake rigorous quantitative and qualitative economic, financial and political risk analysis, with a significant degree of independence, and to reach sound judgments. You should be proficient in Excel.
• Communication skills - You must be able to marshal arguments in a coherent and concise manner and communicate effectively both orally and in written research; and to represent Fitch externally in a credible, effective and professional manner. This will include leading meetings with senior officials and policy-makers, speaking at conference and investor events; making TV and media appearances; and drafting complex and sensitive press releases.
• Professional - You must be able to work independently and manage your own time and tasks to meet deadlines. While taking responsibility for your own portfolio of sovereign ratings and supporting research, you must also be able to share and debate opinions with colleagues in a professional and respectful manner. Ability to work to tight deadlines, and display a strong degree of flexibility to take on additional responsibilities and respond calmly to changing circumstances, as required.

Application:

To apply please submit a cover letter, which must be written in French, and most recent CV (in English) including remuneration details, via the enclosed links.

Fitch complies with all laws governing employment in each jurisdiction in which it operates, and provides equal opportunity to all applicants and employees. All applications will be considered without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, and other status protected by applicable laws.

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