Description
Our Firm announces a Job Vacancy for the position of Shariah Advisor – Investment Products.Job Objective / Summary:To provide specialist consulting and technical advisory services to support the conversion of conventional investment activities, products, contracts, policies, procedures, and operating models into Shariah-compliant structures.The role will cover the full conversion lifecycle, from current-state assessment and Shariah gap analysis to restructuring, implementation support, readiness assessment, and post-conversion review, while ensuring alignment with applicable Shariah principles, recognized Islamic finance standards, regulatory requirements, and the client's commercial and operational objectives.Job Responsibilities:Provide Shariah consulting and technical advisory services for the conversion of conventional investment companies, financial institutions, products, services, and operating models into Shariah-compliant structures.Assess existing business activities, investment products, contracts, transactions, policies, procedures, systems, governance arrangements, assets, liabilities, and income streams from a Shariah perspective.Conduct Shariah gap assessments, identify areas of non-compliance, and recommend appropriate restructuring, amendment, replacement, discontinuation, purification, or transitional measures.Develop Shariah-compliant conversion roadmaps, implementation plans, target operating models, governance frameworks, policies, procedures, authorities, and compliance controls.Review and restructure investment portfolios, funds, money market products, financing arrangements, financial instruments, and related documentation, and recommend suitable Shariah-compliant alternatives using appropriate Islamic finance structures.Advise on the Shariah, regulatory, legal, accounting, operational, compliance, technology, and governance implications of conversion programs, including the roles and responsibilities of the Shariah Supervisory Board and relevant control and business functions.Prepare Shariah gap assessment reports, conversion frameworks, technical memoranda, product reviews, policies, procedures, implementation recommendations, and readiness assessments.Collaborate with multidisciplinary consulting teams, client management, regulators, Shariah supervisory bodies, legal advisers, and other stakeholders through workshops, meetings, presentations, and implementation activities.Support implementation, assess readiness to commence Shariah-compliant operations, provide post-conversion advisory services, and address emerging Shariah compliance matters.Deliver training and awareness sessions to boards, executive management, employees, and other stakeholders on Shariah-compliant conversion requirements and their practical implications.Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Shariah, Islamic Studies, Islamic Jurisprudence, Islamic Finance, Islamic Economics, Finance, Banking, Law, or a related discipline.A postgraduate degree in Islamic Commercial Jurisprudence, Islamic Finance, Islamic Economics, Banking, Finance, Law, or a related field is preferred.Professional Certificates:Relevant professional certifications in Shariah advisory, Islamic finance, or Islamic banking are preferred, particularly AAOIFI CSAA, together with any recognized certifications in Islamic capital markets, governance, compliance, or related financial disciplines.Experience:Minimum 8 – 11 years of relevant experience in Shariah advisory, Islamic finance, investment management, banking, or professional consulting.Proven experience in Shariah-compliant conversion or transformation programs within financial institutions, investment companies, asset managers, or investment funds.Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders in consulting or financial services organizations.Previous experience in the Kuwait or GCC region is preferred.Reporting Line:Direct Report to: Director (Project Manager of the Conversion Program)Indirect coordination with internal business teams (Operations, IT, Risk, Finance, Treasury, etc.)Skills: Advanced knowledge of Islamic commercial jurisprudence and Shariah principles governing financial and investment transactions.Strong understanding of conventional and Islamic investment products, financial markets, asset management, and financial services operating models.Ability to assess complex business models, products, contracts, workflows, and governance structures.Excellent communication, presentation, workshop facilitation, and stakeholder-management skills.Ability to communicate complex Shariah requirements clearly to non-specialists.Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary legal, finance, investment, risk, compliance, audit, operations, technology, and change-management teams.High standards of integrity, independence, confidentiality, objectivity, and attention to detail.Advanced drafting of reports and visual presentations in both Arabic and English.Join Baker Tilly Kuwait This opportunity is designed for a Shariah professional who is passionate about helping financial institutions and investment businesses move beyond theoretical compliance and successfully implement sustainable Shariah-compliant operating models.