Head of Sovereign Credit Analysis for Asia

**Head of Sovereign Credit Management Analytics for Asia**

Sovereign Credit Management (SCM) is responsible for establishing a consistent view of country risks and sovereign creditworthiness for Citigroup and for underwriting the firm’s sovereign exposures. It is a new organizational construct that is a part of the firm’s broader transformation efforts to make Citi more competitive and stronger in managing risks. Sitting in the 1st Line of Defense, SCM partners closely with Citi’s Franchise Management (Regional CEOs/Chief Country Officers), BCMA, Global/Local Markets Treasury, and other credit underwriting teams, to ensure that country/sovereign risk views are appropriately reflected in the management of Citi’s international franchises and full spectrum of sovereign exposures across Citigroup.

The Analytics team within SCM is responsible for undertaking the research and analysis related to country risk and for establishing the view of country risk and sovereign creditworthiness. SCM is looking for a Head of Asia for the SCM Analytics team. The Asia Head will be responsible for managing all aspects of sovereign analytics for the region.

**Responsibilities**:

- Analytic
- Develop and manage all aspects of the analytic work related to the various sovereign and central bank credit rating models, vulnerability heat maps, and early warning indicators
- Develop the fundamental risk view and assign the risk settings on a portfolio of countries/counterparts and ensure that this view is adequately reflected in a wide range of sovereign/country exposures
- Assign the Watchlist designation for countries in partnership with CCOs; establish triggers with relevant stakeholders as appropriate
- Assign internal risk ratings for sovereign, cross-border, and central bank exposures for their portfolio of countries
- Assign classification for governments, working with relevant stakeholders to recommend triggers as appropriate
- Ensure that sovereign assessments in annual reviews/credit memos are accurate, reviewing and guiding any sovereign/public sector analysis prepared by IRAU teams
- Develop scenarios and macroeconomic/financial assumptions as needed for country-specific stress tests
- Conduct/oversee research and analysis on a wide range of topics to develop views on global macro conditions and sovereign credit assessments
- Support the development of any relevant models that are used by the Sovereign Analytics team; collaborate with 2nd Line of Defense sponsors of relevant models
- Develop and maintain a wide range of frameworks/early-warning indicators for anticipating country crises
- Partner closely with stakeholders across the firm (both in business and Risk)
- Proactively participate in the ongoing efforts to develop and improve sovereign credit rating models
- Deepen the team’s connectivity with a wide range of market participants/policymakers
- Adhere to controls and governance around SCM’s processes
- Leadership/Management
- Oversee the work of other sovereign analysts to ensure delivery of best-in-class sovereign analysis
- Train and develop less experienced sovereign analysts
- Ensure that SCM’s views are effectively disseminated throughout relevant parts of the firm, particularly with regional and country management: regional CEOs/CROs, Citi Country Officers, and Risk Management Country Officers
- Represent Citi on critical regulatory matters as required; serve as liaison with regulatory examiners/Internal Audit and oversee the implementation of related remediation

**Qualifications**:

- Experience in working with finance ministries and central banks across multiple countries
- Experience with developing frameworks for sovereign credit analysis
- Experience with developing quantitative models for estimating sovereign default probability
- Outstanding communication skills (oral and writing), with the ability to convey complex economic concepts to a wide range of audiences
- Outstanding visual presentation skills with ability to tell an economic story via simple charts/visuals
- A network of contacts with relevant market counterparts, participants, and policymakers (US Treasury, IMF, public ratings agencies, investors)
- Highly motivated, team oriented, organized
- Demonstrated ability to assess complex issues through root cause analysis and other analytical techniques; structure potential solutions; drive to resolution with senior stakeholders
- Ability to influence and lead people across cultures at a senior level using sound judgment and successful execution, understanding how to operate effectively across diverse businesses.
- Comfort navigating complex, highly-matrixed organizations and acting as an agent for positive change with agility and flexibility

**Education**:

- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in macroeconomics, international finance, or related disciplines from a top-tier institution
- **Job Family Group**:
Risk Management
- **Job Family**:
Country Risk
- **Time Type**:
Full t