Researcher/Associate Analyst, Geopolitical and Country Risk MENA

Control Risks is recruiting a Researcher/Associate Analyst to join our diverse, multi-lingual team in Dubai. The successful candidate should demonstrate a strong background in - and enthusiasm for - the intersection of politics, security and business in the Middle East and North Africa. You will provide a broad range of support on the MENA region to our enviable roster of international clients, ranging from regular short-form analysis and updates on the latest political and security developments to in-depth consulting engagements supporting market entry, risk assessment and stakeholder engagement. Your analysis will also support several other teams at Control Risks. You should be able to distil complex issues into practical, business-focused client insight, and be motivated to help organisations make decisions in challenging environments. Keeping cool under a varied workload will be essential. Job responsibilities will include: writing for our political risk subscription services; delivering in-depth bespoke consulting reports and briefings to clients; participating in conferences and other events; and close collaboration with the company’s other service lines and our network of offices around the globe.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Research and analysis

• Build and maintain expertise on the regional political, security and business environment through open sources and social media, attendance at seminars and industry events, development of your own source network, and research trips.
• Work with other analysts to lead the development of Control Risks’ analysis of key political, operational and security issues in the region.
• Contribute regular updates to our online subscription service Seerist and to our other varied country-specific subscription products.
• Suggest new research sources and approaches.

Consulting reports and projects

• Contributing to consulting projects on the Middle East. This will involve producing bespoke written reports and conducting briefings and workshops that assess the political, security, regulatory and operational risks to clients’ interests.
• Undertaking research trips to gain primary knowledge and build contact and source networks, often in conjunction with other members of the GCR department.
• Contributing to the development of compelling client deliverables by making use of innovative presentation formats, graphics and methodologies.

Marketing and business development

• Carry out research to support business development initiatives.
• Helping to win client work by contributing to proposals for work in the region, in consultation with the GCR Middle East and North Africa (MENA) department, Control Risks’ other service lines and the company’s client management team.
• Participating in client meetings, and identifying business opportunities in the region and further afield.
• Contribute to promotional publications, press releases, and other initiatives as required.

Networking and sources

• Develop and maintain government, academic, journalistic and business contacts in the region to support your analysis.
• Identifying organisations or companies that can expand the depth and range of services that Control Risks provides to its client.
• Liaising regularly with our regional and international offices.
• Sharing and obtaining information from Control Risks security consultants deployed on assignments in the region.

Requirements

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Some professional experience in conducting research and presenting findings in writing and verbally.
• An understanding of the political, security and business environments of the Middle East and North Africa.
• Ability to write concisely and authoritatively to deadlines while interacting with colleagues and clients in challenging situations.
• Professional experience in political, security or operational risk analysis.
• Familiarity with business-focused research and analysis.
• Academic or professional training in political or security analysis.
• Professional proficiency in English, written Arabic and a spoken dialect of Arabic.

Preferred

• Experience conducting business in MENA or advising MENA-based companies.
• Experience living in the Middle East. Qualifications and specialist skills - Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (politics, IR, area studies, economics or another social science).
• Excellent word processing, PowerPoint skills and general computing skills.
• Proven ability to carry out extensive research in Arabic.
• Experience of working or living in the region is preferable.
• Professional experience in political, security, and/or operational risk analysis.
• Ability to identify and interpret events and developments of interest or concern to Control Risks’ client base.

Competencies

• Clear, committed and delivers on what is required in role and strives to exceed expectations; shows drive and determination to achieve high standards.
• A practical, client-focused approach to analytical writing.
• Works with colleagues in a co-operative and supportive manner to achieve joint aims, including across different offices.
• Seeks information, considers the regional and global implications of what we do in our own areas of responsibility.
• Communicates clearly verbally and in writing, with close attention to detail
• Plans and organises own busy workload, prioritising when necessary

Benefits

• Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarised in the full job offer.
• We operate a discretionary global bonus scheme that incentivises, and rewards individuals based on company and individual performance.
• Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasise the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.
• As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.