Associate Consultant

ABOUT CEDAR Cedar is a global strategy consulting, research and analytics firm with a 40-year track record and clients across multiple industry sectors. Since 1985, our teams have assisted clients in strategy, process innovation, strategic human capital and business technology, among others, with a strong focus on the Financial Services sector. As a full-suite management consulting firm, Cedar assists clients across these areas in an integrated fashion — from strategy formulation to execution and implementation. The firm's heritage includes being part of the former US$1 billion Renaissance Worldwide, whose leadership included the creators of the Balanced Scorecard — the world's leading strategy-deployment and performance-management tool, used by organizations globally. Cedar's specialist Financial Services practice serves as the firm's center of excellence, offering innovative advisory, research and accelerator capabilities to players across the global Financial Services ecosystem. Cedar's group unit, UK-headquartered IBS Intelligence (IBSi), is a leading global pure-play FinTech research, news-analysis and advisory firm; for over 30 years it has been the definitive source of independent, in-depth analysis of global financial-technology markets, and its annual Sales League Table is considered the global industry barometer of banking-technology suppliers. The Cedar-IBSi platform also runs Cedar-IBSi FinTech Labs, a BankTech / B2B FinTech accelerator home to 70+ FinTechs since 2017; and Cedar's independent venture capital fund, announced in 2023, backs founders building AI-first enterprise technology for the Financial Services industry use this for now add vo document me ROLE PURPOSE The Associate Consultant (Arabic Speaker) supports consulting engagements through research, data analysis, and deliverable preparation, working under the guidance of senior colleagues. The role exists to provide accurate, timely analytical support that feeds engagement recommendations, while building the foundational skills, methodologies, and sector knowledge required for a consulting career. It emphasizes execution, accuracy, and rapid learning within Cedar’s delivery environment. ROLE OVERVIEW The Associate Consultant (Arabic Speaker) is an entry-level consulting role focused on execution and support across engagements. Responsibilities include primary and secondary research, data collection and analysis, financial and quantitative support, and the preparation of charts, models, and slides for review. The role works within defined tasks under supervision, coordinates with the engagement team, and is expected to deliver accurate, well-organised work to deadline. It offers exposure to live client engagements and to Cedar’s strategy and Financial Services expertise, providing a strong foundation for progression within the consulting track.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
– Conduct primary and secondary research to support engagement analysis. – Collect, structure, and analyze data and support financial and quantitative work. – Prepare charts, models, and slides for review by senior colleagues. – Support the preparation of client-ready deliverables and materials. – Coordinate with the engagement team and manage assigned tasks to deadline. – Apply Cedar’s methodologies and build foundational sector knowledge. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Finance, or a related discipline. Strong academic record; postgraduate qualification advantageous. Relevant disciplines: Business administration, economics, finance, engineering, or data.

Experience:
Around 0 to 2 years of experience. Internships, projects, or early experience demonstrating research and analytical ability are advantageous. A genuine interest in strategy consulting and Financial Services is valued. Fluency in Arabic and English is mandatory. SKILLS, DOMAIN & COMPETENCIES Functional & technical

skills:
Research and information gathering; Data collection and analysis; Quantitative analysis support; Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; Clear written communication; Attention to detail; Time management. Industry & domain knowledge: Foundational awareness of Financial Services and strategy consulting; Basic operating-model and process concepts. Behavioral competencies: Analytical thinking, Accuracy, Ownership, Collaboration, Learning agility, Intellectual curiosity, Reliability. KEY STAKEHOLDERS Internal: Consultant, Senior Consultant, Engagement Manager, and the engagement team. External: Limited; supervised contact with client teams and information sources. CAREER PROGRESSION & SUCCESS Progression: Subject to sustained performance, demonstrated capability, business requirements, and the availability of suitable opportunities, the role may progress towards a Consultant position. Success (first 12–18 months): Research and analysis are accurate and timely; Supporting materials are well-organised and reliable; Methodologies and standards are followed; Foundational consulting and sector knowledge develops; The engagement team is effectively supported.