Investment Department Trader

The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) is a sovereign wealth fund established in 1999 to manage and safeguard Azerbaijan's oil and gas revenues for the benefit of current and future generations. SOFAZ plays a crucial role in preserving national wealth, ensuring intergenerational equity, and promoting sustainable economic development.

SOFAZ oversees a diversified investment portfolio, including international equities, fixed income securities, real estate, and other financial instruments. The Fund's investments are guided by a strategic approach aimed at achieving long-term financial sustainability and contributing to the country's economic stability.

By applying for the Investment Department Trader role, you will have the opportunity to contribute to SOFAZ’s investment strategy and portfolio management. Your responsibilities will include analyzing investment proposals, conducting due diligence, and monitoring portfolio performance—supporting the Fund’s mission of sustainable management of Azerbaijan’s sovereign wealth.

The role offers a distinctive opportunity to play a key part in managing the Fund’s fixed income portfolios, with a focus on generating superior risk-adjusted returns while adhering to predefined risk parameters. As an Investment Department Trader, you will actively contribute to SOFAZ’s fixed income portfolio management, optimizing trade execution and ensuring risk-adjusted returns. You will analyze market trends, implement portfolio strategies, and collaborate with internal teams to enhance investment performance. This role offers the opportunity to work in a highly regarded sovereign wealth fund, gain exposure to international financial markets, and enhance your expertise in fixed income investments.

What Will You Do?

• Oversee the management of the fixed income portfolio with the primary objective of outperforming the relevant benchmark, while adhering to established risk tolerance and return objectives.

• Execute trades and implement portfolio rebalancing strategies in response to market conditions and evolving investment strategies, ensuring alignment with the Fund's objectives.

• Collaborate with internal teams, including risk management, compliance, and operations, to ensure that all investment decisions and trades are executed in line with SOFAZ’s policies and procedures.

• Support the identification and evaluation of high-quality investment opportunities within the fixed income market, including sovereign and agency bonds, based on thorough analysis of creditworthiness, yield potential, and associated risks.

• Continuously monitor macroeconomic indicators, financial news, and global economic developments to stay informed of prevailing market trends and to anticipate economic shifts that may impact investment decisions.

• Provide insights into changes in the market environment, including yield curve movements, inflation expectations, and geopolitical developments that could influence portfolio performance.

• Assist in the management of liquidity and money market instruments to ensure optimal cash flow and liquidity planning for the Fund’s operations.

• Develop and maintain relationships with external counterparties, including brokers, investment banks, and financial institutions, to stay abreast of market developments and ensure efficient trade execution.

• Conduct in-depth analysis of fixed income products, derivatives, and hedging strategies to enhance portfolio performance while managing risk exposure.

• Prepare periodic reports and presentations for senior management, providing clear insights into portfolio performance, trade rationale, and market outlook.

What Will You Need?

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Statistics, Mathematics, etc.).
• In-depth theoretical knowledge of fixed income markets, including government and agency bonds, credit markets, and yield curve dynamics.
• Practical experience in executing trades involving fixed income financial instruments such as bonds, futures, and derivatives.
• Proficiency in financial modeling tools, including Bloomberg Terminal, Excel, and other market analysis and risk assessment platforms is desirable.
• Strong understanding of risk management principles, particularly duration, convexity, and credit risk assessment.
• Ability to analyze complex financial data and make well-informed investment decisions.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
• Fluency in Azerbaijani and English.
• CFA certification (Level I or II) or progress toward CFA designation is an advantage.
• Experience with data analysis tools such as Python, R, or VBA for financial modeling and risk analysis is preferred.
• Familiarity with SQL for database management and querying is desirable.

Who Are We Looking For?

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and quantitative skills, a deep understanding of fixed income markets, and the ability to execute trades effectively in fast-moving financial environments. The candidate should be a proactive problem solver with excellent communication skills, capable of working collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders. A commitment to continuous learning, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently are essential for success in this role.

Are You Interested?

If you are eager to develop your career in the field of investments and work in a dynamic team, apply through our recruitment system via the link below. Applications will be reviewed continuously throughout the announcement period. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application deadline: March 31, 2025.