Associate - Quantitative Finance - Upstream

Our client is a pioneering private-sector energy company, established in the early 1970s in the Gulf region, holds the distinction of being one of the earliest entrants into the upstream oil and gas space in the Middle East. Headquartered in a northern emirate of a prominent Gulf nation, the company has expanded its footprint over the decades to include onshore operations in both its home country and northern Iraq.

The organization is scaling rapidly, expanding its energy portfolio and investment activity across the region. To support this growth, the finance team is hiring an Associate to focus on fund raising, financial modelling, and investment analysis across strategic projects and private investments.

The role sits within a high-performing corporate finance function led by the CFO, working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders including banks, advisors, and legal partners. Key responsibilities include preparing pitch books, building complex financial models, supporting due diligence, and helping structure capital for upstream projects.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Involvement in finance raising activities for upstream oil and gas projects and corporate / asset acquisitions.
• Involvement in analyzing and assessing company-related investments.
• Research, analysis and financial modelling.
• Assisting in the preparation of detailed presentations, documents and reports for senior management.

Essential Functions as part of Finance Team

Involvement in finance raising and Investment Activities

• Candidate will have undergone investment bank analyst training programme or equivalent and have a solid grounding in accounting, corporate finance, valuation and knowledge of securities and financial markets which they will be able to apply to day-to-day activities.
• Able to apply knowledge and experience in project and corporate finance to company activities and projects in these areas.
• Work closely with other parts of the Company (e.g. legal and upstream teams) in such matters.
• Liaise with external parties (such as banks, lawyers, consultants) on relevant matters representing the firm in a professional capacity.

Research, Analysis/recommendation and Report writing

• Conduct high quality research into markets and companies.
• Prepare reports, research papers, strategic analysis and presentations of a sufficiently high standard to assist in decision making by senior management and external parties.

Financial Modelling

• Able to build and maintain complex financial models (in excel and other appropriate software packages) to assist on-going projects with minimal supervision
• Identifies legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting the companys financial strategies and ensures compliance with regulations and the overall Group Financial policy.

Working Relationships

• Maintains excellent and supportive relationships with all staff and attends Company events.
• Builds and maintains excellent relationships with a range of external advisory firms and promotes oneself professionally in the UAE.

Continuous Improvement of Position

• Conducts regular research and studies to enhance industry knowledge by attending work related conferences particularly within the Energy Sector as well as attending relevant seminars on Finance, Legal, Industry and work-related subjects.

Key Qualifications & Competencies

• Bachelor degree with honors (2:1 minimum) in a quantitative subject such as Finance, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics or Physics from a top tier university.
• Professional training in accounting, valuation and modelling (as part of investment bank training scheme or equivalent).
• CFA, MBA or Post graduate degree from top tier university desirable.
• Minimum of 5 8 years of experience in investment banking, consulting or private equity environment, with at least several years of working in the oil and gas sector.
• Strategic thinking, research and planning skills
• Excellent communication, written and verbal skills in English
• Ability to meet schedules and deadlines
• Excellent knowledge of the upstream industry business and operations
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Multitasking skills
• Alertness & attention to details
• Ability to work with individuals from different backgrounds and nationalities
• Good reasoning and sound judgment abilities
• Integrity and trustworthy
• Positive attitude
• Excellent understanding and background corporate finance & investment
• Excellent analytical, quantitative and financial modelling skills
• Excellent IT skills (MS Office Suite)
• Superior research skills for financial advisory purposes (Bloomberg, FACTIVA)