Senior Strategic Analyst – Emerging Markets, Africa

The Senior Emerging Markets (sub-Sahara Africa) Analyst will take responsibility for enhancing the Africa Markets Executive’s strategic objectives, by combining strong analytical insights with real-world perspective to drive and provide a deep understanding of the region and its key sectors.

Using a range of analytical tools, the analyst will anticipate trends and issues in key regional sectors, with a comprehensive understanding of the major players, and lead client-facing interactions. Newly gained insights will be brought back to the Africa Markets Executive to improve the executives’ understanding and knowledge of the fast changing environment.

This individual helps frame knowledge requests and ensures the quality and delivery of research, analysis, market intelligence and other intellectual capital provided via the firm’s global network, supports the initiatives of the Africa Markets Executive. The analyst also networks with other parts of EY Knowledge and internal functions including Pursuits, People, Operations and Business Development to deliver a comprehensive perspective.

Essential functions of the job:

Works proactively with the South Africa and Africa Markets Executive, Business

Development and Service Line teams to provide perspective across the region; connecting stakeholder needs and insights with the broader EY Knowledge team

Collaborates with the wider Strategic Markets Insights team to prepare insightful analysis on trends, as well as the implications of those trends for Ernst & Young and its service lines.

Responsible for the execution of strategic and complex knowledge driven initiatives; provides deep analytic insight and understanding of the business, priority accounts and interconnections in the region.

Partners with the executive leadership, providing a big-picture perspective and for advice regarding our approach to key accounts, and assessing the impact of those changes on internal strategies and plans.

Breaks down events into causes and key drivers, demonstrates the ability to develop multiple hypotheses regarding alternative conclusions and to recommend solutions.

Draws together information from primary and secondary sources to prove or disprove hypotheses.

Participates in key strategic planning activities and major initiatives, including pursuits; helps leadership validate priority accounts, map issues to existing Ernst & Young services and identify new opportunities.

Is recognized within Ernst & Young as a leader and subject matter expert at the business unit and executive level; is sought out by the business regularly for advice and insight on regional sector and service line issues

Is recognised by Ernst & Young’s clients as a respected professional; undertakes external-facing activities, including directly interacting with clients, facilitating insight and thought leadership programs.

Implements strategically sound analytic methodologies; skilled in building competencies of junior analysts.

Champions knowledge-sharing behaviours: connecting people, encouraging enterprise-wide sharing, and appropriately leveraging and reusing existing collateral.

Actively manages a network of primary sources and possesses the ability to correctly determine the source’s credibility (accurate level of knowledge and depth of correct understanding) on a specific topic

Analystical/Decision making responsibilities:

Superior analysis capability

Develops and articulates a strong point of view across both the community and geographies

Confident in understanding multiple business drivers

Skilled in identifying trends that translate into key market-facing initiatives

Demonstrates ability to use both qualitative and quantitative methodologies including financial analysis skills

Knowledge and skills requirements:

Succinct and structured oral and written communications skills

Outstanding presentation skills

Deep knowledge of the professional services community, especially in key Africa markets

Proven ability working at a senior level in a fast-moving, client-driven environment

Ability to build relationships and interact effectively at the c-suite level

Confident to build a network of internal and external contacts to help shape point of view

Takes ownership for delivering customised projects with a high degree of autonomy

Manages multiple, highly-complex projects simultaneously

Advanced skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Supervision Responsibilities:

Leads multidisciplinary teams, working virtually across a range of countries and time-zones

Able to work with limited supervision; works well under pressure

Reviews the work of colleagues and mentors their skill development

May serve as counselor or manager for other analysts and specialists

Other Requirements:

May require occasional travel, both domestic and international

Proficient in English, both written and verbal

Desired Skills & Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent work experience

Master’s degree or postgraduate qualification an advantage

Experience:

Five years or more experience in the accounting, tax or advising industries, with a demonstrated ability to recognize and link community events to implications for the accounting industry

Ten years or more experience in business analysis, industry research, management consulting or business performance, advising clients in the relevant community

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