Lasinc

Hello,

I'm relatively new to this forum and after having read many threads and haven't found what I was looking for, I dare to ask a question.. :-)

I am wondering if anyone has experience looking for opportunities in Renewable Energy (financial or economist roles) or Infrastructure investment funds based in UAE? It seems to be a bit challenging judging from my so far not very fruitful attempts to locate job openings through company and professional recruitment websites. Has anyone got experience finding jobs at Masdar or any other initiatives that aim at developing sustainable energy and infrastructure in UAE? What are the chances of locating them from abroad?

Thanks.

Millhouse

When you say funds, do you mean third party managed funds, or SWFs?

If the former - then there are very few (in fact none that can be classified as sucessful). That said EMP and Abraaj are in the market raising new funds. I do question EMP's ability to raise a new fund but they have excellent anchor investors.

On the SWF side - forget Masdar, that really is just hype. Only Mubadala (directly) or ADIA actually understand infra.

Autonomy

Maybe attend this - www.middleeastrenewables.com - might make contacts?

Millhouse

The truth is thought that renewables are not a big focus area here. The conferences will be full of contractors / developers but less on the pure investor side.

ACWA power are moving aggressively into the market - well worth speaking with them.

Lasinc

Hi,

thanks for the hints - that's quite helpful indeed.

I am mostly keen on finding an opportunity within a SWF however also open to other types of investment houses. I gather from other threads in this forum (MENA jobs) that Mubadala is more professional than ADIA, is that right? Any other routes to finding a role within these other than their career websites (which are rather scarce on open jobs)?

I would definetely consider attending a conference to speak to people in the industry, but doing my homework now first. Renewable energy is one type of investments I am keen on and more generally - looking at infrastructure development funds with a sustainability focus in their current/future strategies.

ACWA Power looks interesting - thanks for shedding light on their position. It looks though that they are based in Saudi Arabia.. I am mainly keen on Dubai/Abu Dhabi options.

Thanks.

auzdafluff

I get the feeling that with sovereign wealth funds, Westerners tend to be token employees rather than the main bread and butter. Just be warned that you might eventually get hired, but not be paid attention to.

Millhouse

ACWA are a Saudi developer based in Dubai.

Mubadala are professional, but I get the feeling that the work there is quite unrewarding (intellectually, not financially) - anyway you'd want to go try for the Structured Finance and Capital Markets team, headed by Derek Rozycki.

ADIA would be my choice. Infra is a small team though.

I guess the question is what experience do you have, or is it just an interest?

As for a small number of job openings on the job websites - has it occurred to you that there may just be a small number of openings??

Lasinc

Thanks, Millhouse - point taken.

In fact, I just applied for an opening on the SFCM team at Mubadala last week - good to validate that it was the right one.

ADIA seems to have a careers website that allows one to post their CV without letting them search for jobs (no job search facility on the website, or I am growing blind perhaps). I found it quite unusual - hence the question about other routes to jobs. But yes - I suspect that with focus on infra investment, there will be only few opportunities available at a time.

Experience - 10 yrs, rather broad however: 4 industries, in the last 3 years - employed in the Energy sector, focus on the developments in the NWE (incl UK but not limited). I would like to get more experience specialised on infra before claiming I am an expert, hence looking for a good place to work at, and more international exposure, let aside interests.

I ll look closer at ACWA - thanks for the hints.

Are you working in the sector? What's your take on whether expats get fine responsibility vs periphery kind of jobs (given they show successful career progression indeed) at SWF's? It is better to look at the international developers with branches in the region (e.g. I thought of Siemens having a good standing)?

Thanks.

Millhouse

Yes, I work in the sector. PM me if you want more information.