Shariah Research Expert

Purpose of Job

Jobholders at this level are responsible for leading work activities and working autonomously with minor direction towards predetermined long-term objectives. Jobholders might act as internal consultants and facilitators through providing guidance to deliver and perform operational activities. Their main operational role includes reviewing research requests, judicial rulings, legal decisions, and fatwas issued by authorities to guide research agenda accordingly.

Job Resposiblites

Shariah Research      

•    Support the development of Zakat research plan and budget, as well as relevant standards and methodologies associated with conducting research operations, ensuring alignment with ZATCA priorities
•    Consolidate and review public as well as relevant committees research requests and accordingly prioritize them based on urgency and complexity (rapid research or complex research) 
•    Apply and use communication methods to ensure optimal workflows between research personnel and key stakeholders during operations
•    Assess the need to collaborate with external data sources to conduct research and fulfil complex inquiries
•    Establish list of prospective data sources to collaborate with and ensure that they are chosen in accordance with ZATCA requirements and standards
•    Conduct applied research and analysis in selected domains in accordance with relevant research specifications as well as set plan 
•    Perform specific legal accounting studies related to Zakat calculations as well as Zakat collection procedures to provide needed guidance on how to calculate Zakat or to answer any arising queries 
•    Collect and analyse judicial rulings, legal decisions, and fatwas issued by authorities in Zakat and tax disputes and other specialized bodies 
•    Develop reports highlighting study findings to be presented to key stakeholders (i.e., relevant committees)
•    Represent the agency in business meetings with other authority sectors or other government agencies when assigned 

Organization and Operations    

•    Follow all relevant policies, processes and standard operating procedures so that work is carried out in a controlled and consistent manner
•    Help in solving escalated problems and provide needed support for junior team to ensure work is carried out in an efficient manner
•    Escalate complex problems to the relevant person to ensure cases/issues are closed properly
•    Perform other duties as requested

People Management    

•    Train junior staff on the different job activities to ensure transfer of know-how, when applicable
•    Provide clear direction, prioritize tasks, assign and delegate responsibility, and monitor the workflow of subordinates/ junior staff
•    Support junior staff or direct reports in order to execute their duties according to set policies and processes

Job Details

Communication and Contacs

Eductaion

•  Bachelor’s degree in Law, Islamic law, Business Administration, or equivalent is required 
•  Master’s degree in Law, Islamic law, Business Administration, or equivalent is preferred

Experience

A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience