Associate Director or Director, Africa/Middle East/Asia Sovereigns Ratings, Based in Hong Kong

Fitch Ratings is currently seeking a Credit Analyst, at Associate Director or Director level, to be the lead analyst for a portfolio of sovereign ratings in Africa/Middle East/Asia, this position will be based out of our Hong Kong office.   

 

As one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, Fitch Ratings plays a critical role in global capital markets by providing supplementary credit analysis, ratings, research, and commentary to financial market participants. For over 100 years, Fitch Ratings has been creating value for global markets through its rigorous analysis and deep expertise, which have resulted in a variety of market leading tools, methodologies, indices, research, and analytical products. Fitch Ratings is part of Fitch Group, a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries, which also includes Fitch Solutions. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst.

 

At Fitch Ratings, credit analysts play a pivotal role in moving markets, as quality credit analysis is the lifeblood of our organization. With a legacy of over a century, our unique approach to credit ratings offers unmatched opportunities for professional growth. Embracing a “challenger mindset,” you'll join a team dedicated to innovating service to our clients. Our people-driven analysis thrives on collaboration across all levels and locations, surpassing traditional financial modeling. Lastly, as part of our global community, you'll find inspiration, challenge, and support, with ample opportunities for visibility and influence in the global financial marketplace.

 

Want to learn more about a career as a credit analyst at Fitch Ratings? Visit:  https://careers.fitch.group/content/Credit-Analysts/

 

About the Role

The Fitch Ratings Sovereigns Group assigns ratings to sovereign governments that account for virtually all sovereign international debt issuance. As an Associate Director/Director in the Sovereigns team you will act as the lead analyst for maintaining a portfolio of sovereign ratings in Africa/Middle East/Asia, developing deep analytical knowledge on these sovereigns and working with significant independence, reporting to the Africa/Middle East team head.

 

We’ll Count on You To:

• Analyze all aspects of creditworthiness for the sovereigns in your portfolio. This includes reviewing and forecasting macroeconomic policies and trends, including GDP growth, inflation, the impact and consistency of monetary and fiscal policies and risks to macroeconomic stability.
• Study trends in the sovereigns’ public and external finances, conduct debt sustainability analyses and explore risks stemming from contingent liabilities.
• Study the structure of public finances and external debt and forecast external flows (BOP) and assets and liabilities (IIP, debt structure).
• Analyze to cover governance and domestic political and geopolitical risks and risks to the sovereign stemming from the financial sector.
• Maintain good working relationships with relevant officials in central banks and government, as well as third party experts, be able to regularly update Fitch’s credit view and country economic databases and forecasts.
• Organize and lead annual rating visits and teleconference calls as well as prepare. recommendations, supporting research and presentations for the Sovereign Rating Committee.
• Provide support to colleagues on the ratings of other sovereign governments as a ‘secondary analyst’.
• Initiate and produce topical research on economic and credit developments on the countries in your portfolio. This will typically take the form of brief topical commentary such as Fitch Wire articles and more substantive special reports.
• 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.

 

You May be a Good Fit if You Have:

• A strong understanding of macroeconomics, typically underpinned by a master’s degree in economics or a very closely related discipline.
• Several years’ 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 ins