ESG DOT Research Associate – Mandarin AND Japanese Skills (Manila-based) recruitment

About MSCI

MSCI Inc. is a leading provider of investment decision support tools to investors globally, including asset managers, banks, hedge funds and pension funds. MSCI products and services include indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics, and governance tools.

The company’s flagship product offerings are: the MSCI indices which include over 120,000 daily indices covering more than 70 countries; Barra portfolio risk and performance analytics covering global equity and fixed income markets; RiskMetrics market and credit risk analytics; ISS out-sourced proxy research, voting and vote reporting services; CFRA forensic accounting risk research, legal/regulatory risk assessment, and due-diligence; and FEA valuation models and risk management software for the energy and commodities markets. MSCI is headquartered in New York, with research and commercial offices around the world.

For further information on MSCI, please visit our web site at www.msci.com

POSITION OVERVIEW:

MSCI ESG Research offers a wide range of products and services to support the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the investment processes of institutional investors and asset managers. MSCI ESG Research has a suite of products designed to address both the financial and the values dimensions of ESG investment strategies, including ESG Risk, ESG Impact and Business Involvement screening ratings and analysis. These tools allow users to track and identify the range of ESG risks to their portfolio.

The team covers 5,000 equities, and spans environmental, governance and social issues including, but not limited to, human rights, labor rights, the environment and anti-corruption, executive and board issues. The Associate will be responsible for research, analysis and ratings of companies from the APAC region, primarily Japan, China, and Taiwan. The Associate will search for, processes, analyze and synthesize, large quantities of information into meaningful data, analysis, and ratings for clients.

Research will be conducted using a variety of sources including non-governmental organizations, annual reports, proxy statements, corporate social responsibility reports, sustainability reports, equity research reports, news publications, research studies, and engagement with the companies themselves. Close collaboration with the research team is expected on a day to day basis. The associate will also play a critical role in advancing the methodology and ratings guidance. 

RESPONSIBLITIES:

The Associate will be responsible for:

• Covering companies from APAC, primarily Japan, China and Taiwan.

• Developing new ratings guidance and improving the research methodology.

• Searching for, procuring, and processing information about global companies on an as needed basis using multiple methods, techniques and sources.

• Working with many different types of information sources (i.e. lengthy annual reports, websites, quantitative data feeds, web crawlers), types of information (i.e. quantitative data, key performance indicators, prose narratives), topics or subject matters (i.e. traditional financial risk, corporate governance, and sustainability) and types of analysis (i.e. rules-based, subjective analysis, written summaries).

• Working with a global team based in Asia and the US. Providing time zone coverage for client queries and business needs.

• Ensuring high quality standards.

• Participate in various working committees and/or projects.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fluency in Japanese AND Mandarin languages is a MUST.

• Relevant ESG experience and a strong background in research analysis and writing.

• Excellent English comprehension, writing and communication skills.

• Minimum Bachelors Degree. Masters Degree Preferred.

• Fast learner, able to master new concepts, theories, ideas and processes with ease.

• Strong analytical ability and are able to apply logic to solve problems.

• Very proficient with technology and are able to learn new applications on their own with ease. Experience in web-based searching, Excel 2007, data management and data mining preferred.

• Intrinsically motivated to improve their own performance and constantly consider ways to improve workflow processes.

• Strong attention to detail. Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks.

• Ability to work under tight deadlines.

• Ability to work in a global team; a strong team player.