Job Description

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Shariah Governance and Board Support 

Under supervision, assist in the administration of the Bank’s Shariah governance activities by: 

• assisting in the preparation of agendas, meeting packs, minutes and submissions for meetings of the SSB; 
• helping to maintain accurate records of SSB resolutions, and supporting their indexing, archiving and dissemination to the business; 
• assisting in tracking the implementation of the resolutions, rulings (fatawa) and directives of the SSB; and 
• providing general administrative and coordination support to the Shariah Advisory Department. 

Shariah Compliance and Review 

Under the guidance of senior advisors, support the Bank’s Shariah compliance and review activities by: 

• assisting in Shariah reviews of the Bank’s products, transactions and processes to support ongoing compliance; 
• assisting in the periodic Shariah screening of the investable universe of the Islamic funds, and in the calculation of non-permissible income; 
• gathering and organising information and data required for Shariah reviews and reporting; and 
• escalating queries and potential instances of non-compliance to the supervising advisor. 

Documentation and Advisory Support 

Support the Department’s day-to-day advisory work by: 

• assisting in the review of contracts, agreements and product documentation against AAOIFI standards and SSB interpretations; 
• helping to research and prepare responses to Shariah-related queries from the business and clients; 
• maintaining the Shariah query log and supporting related reporting; and 
• assisting in the assessment of the applicable Islamic contracts, such as Murabaha, Ijarah, Musharaka, Mudaraba, Wakala and Istisnaa. 

Research and Training Support 

Contribute to Shariah research and awareness initiatives by: 

• conducting research and assisting in the preparation of technical papers, notes and presentations on Islamic finance matters; 
• assisting in the development and delivery of Shariah training and awareness material for staff and clients; 
• supporting client education and consumer awareness initiatives in Islamic banking and finance; and 
• keeping abreast of developments in Islamic banking and finance, and contributing to the knowledge base of the Department. 

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

• a recognised degree in Shariah / Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh al-Mu’amalat), Islamic finance, or a related field; 
• a complementary qualification or coursework in banking, finance, accounting or law, which will be advantageous; 
• a foundational understanding of Islamic finance principles and contracts, and an awareness of AAOIFI Shariah standards; and 
• proficiency in the use of standard office applications, together with sound written and verbal communication skills. 
• a strong willingness to learn, and a genuine interest in a career in Islamic finance; 
• attention to detail, diligence and the ability to organise and analyse information; 
• integrity, discretion and a professional manner in dealing with confidential matters; and 
• the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team, under supervision. 

Albaraka Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Bank’s Employment Equity objectives, preference shall be given to suitably qualified applicants from previously disadvantaged groups and to persons with disabilities.