Optasia is a real-time financial intelligence company. We build precision intelligence that unlocks financial opportunity at scale, running millions of automated credit decisions every day across high-growth markets where formal credit data is limited. Our AI-powered platform turns permitted behavioural data and real-time signals into precise, responsible credit decisions. Embedded within the systems of telcos, banks, digital wallets and other partners, it helps them extend relevant financial services to more people while maintaining strong portfolio control and opens profitable new segments that were previously out of reach. This is how Optasia turns potential into financial progress, responsibly and at scale.

About the role

The Senior Tax Analyst will support the Group Tax Manager across all tax matters of the Group, and take full ownership of selected workstreams over time.

The Group operates through a UAE holding and operating structure with subsidiaries and commercial partners in multiple countries, mainly in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Its products include Airtime Advance services with mobile network operators and microfinance loans offered through banks and financial service providers. Each product and each country raises different corporate tax, VAT and withholding tax questions.

The role is hands-on and varied: tax research and technical positions, contract reviews, transfer pricing, tax provisions and returns, and compliance oversight. The successful candidate will act as backup to the Group Tax Manager during absences, so they must understand the full scope of the function and be able to give a reasoned tax position independently.

What you will do

Tax research and technical positions

•       Research corporate income tax, VAT, withholding tax and other indirect taxes in the countries where the Group operates or plans to launch, using primary sources (tax laws, regulations, tax authority guidance and double tax treaties).

•       Prepare clear tax positions and short technical memos, citing the relevant law and treaty articles.

•       Analyse the tax treatment of the Group's products (Airtime Advance and microfinance loans) in each country, including VAT or financial services taxes on customer fees.

•       Apply double tax treaties to cross-border payments, assess withholding tax relief and prepare the supporting documentation (tax residency certificates, treaty forms).

Commercial agreements

•       Review commercial agreements with mobile operators, banks and financial service providers from a tax perspective: remuneration and revenue-share mechanics, gross-up and tax deduction clauses, VAT, withholding tax, invoicing flows and contracting entity.

•       Identify permanent establishment risk and propose targeted contract amendments.

•       Prepare concise tax review notes for Legal and the business, and support negotiations with partners.

Transfer pricing

•       Support the Group's intercompany model (technology and IP charges, services, intercompany loans) and its pricing.

•       Coordinate and review Master File, Local Files and benchmarking studies with external advisers.

•       Monitor transfer pricing compliance and documentation deadlines across jurisdictions.

Tax provisions and returns

•       Prepare and review tax provision calculations (current and deferred tax) for the Group and its subsidiaries.

•       Review corporate tax return computations, including UAE Corporate Tax returns for the UAE tax group and standalone entities.

•       Reconcile tax figures to the financial statements and support the external audit on tax.

Compliance oversight

•       Maintain the Group tax compliance calendar for corporate tax, VAT, withholding tax and transfer pricing filings.

•       Work with local Finance Controllers to ensure filings and payments are accurate and on time, and review their tax computations.

•       Support the implementation of UAE e-invoicing.

•       Assist with tax audits and queries from tax authorities.

Advisory and team support

•       Act as the first point of contact for tax questions from Finance, Legal, Treasury and the commercial teams.

•       Explain tax positions to non-tax colleagues in plain language.

•       Coordinate external tax advisers and review their work.

•       Act as backup to the Group Tax Manager and keep tax files and positions well documented.

What you will bring

Education and qualifications

•       Bachelor's or Master's degree in Tax, Accounting, Finance, Law or Economics.

•       A professional tax or accounting qualification (for example ADIT, CTA, ACCA, CPA or an equivalent local qualification) is welcome but not required.

Experience

•       3–5 years of tax experience, ideally including experience in a Big Four or international tax advisory firm; in-house experience is also welcome.

•       International tax experience on multi-jurisdictional matters; exposure to Africa and the Middle East is a plus.

•       Hands-on experience with transfer pricing (documentation, benchmarking, intercompany agreements).

•       Experience preparing or reviewing tax provisions, and reviewing corporate tax return computations.

•       Exposure to FinTech, telecoms or financial services is a plus.

Technical skills

•       Strong corporate income tax and VAT background; good working knowledge of withholding tax and double tax treaties (OECD and UN Model).

•       Knowledge of UAE taxes, in particular UAE Corporate Tax.

•       Understanding of permanent establishment rules and the tax aspects of cross-border service and revenue-share arrangements.

•       Good understanding of financial statements and the ability to build accurate tax calculations from them.

•       Advanced Excel; comfortable with ERP data and reporting tools.

•       Excellent written and spoken English. French is a plus.

Personal Attributes

•       Analytical and rigorous: goes to the source (law, treaty, contract clause) and forms a clear, reasoned position.

•       Autonomous and proactive: able to own a workstream end to end and cover the function when the Group Tax Manager is away.

•       Clear communicator: explains tax simply to non-tax colleagues and writes concise notes and emails.

•       Organised: manages several countries and deadlines at once in a fast-moving business.

•       Collaborative: works well with Finance Controllers, Legal, the business and external advisers.

•       Comfortable with AI tools and uses them in daily work (research, drafting, analysis).

Why Optasia? 

Optasia is a high-growth, AI-powered financial infrastructure platform serving over 432 million users in emerging markets across Africa and Asia. By harnessing the power of AI and real-time data we unlock financial opportunities for customers. We have been recognized as a top fintech by Forbes Middle East, culminating in a successful JSE listing in 2025. 

At Optasia, our global team builds the tech, products and services which will change the game for the world's unbanked population. We empower our people by offering unique employee experiences and support individual careers by prioritizing well-being and embracing flexibility. 

Benefits include: 

• Competitive remuneration package 
• Performance-based bonus scheme 
• Extra day off on your birthday 
• Comprehensive private healthcare insurance 
• All the tech gear you need to work smart 

Join us in shaping the future of Optasia as we grow together. Explore more at optasia.com