International Treaties Specialist

Purpose of Job

Jobholders at this level carry out specific tasks independently but are subject to close supervision. They research, collect and analyze information, draft reports and documents, participate in specific meetings and develop their own professional expertise. They undertake simple operational activities including identifying latest international tax trends and policies, coordinating procedural formalities, implementing bilateral treaties and MoUs’ action plan, and performing basic statistical analyses.

Job Responsibilities

KSA Tax Treaty Model Update

• Stay up to date on all international tax policy developments (e.g., OECD IF, Pillar 1&2, update of OECD/UN commentary, etc.), and accordingly identify changes to be made into KSA treaties’ model and double taxation agreement (DTA) policy documents
• Meet on an annual basis with key stakeholders having interest in international tax policy matters (PIF, SAGIA, SAMA, Free Zones and Economic Cities, etc.) to collect their requirements of new tax treaty provisions
• Develop "National Interest" explanatory sheets for each new/ existing DTA explaining the rationale for its conclusion
• Develop tax treaty negotiation manual to be implemented during the negotiation process
• Provide the OECD CFA (WP1) with KSA observations to the OECD commentary (by non-member countries)
• Review the KSA Multilateral Instrument (MLI) positions and the list of new DTAs to be covered by the MLI to be regularly updated to OECD Secretariat
  
  
  

KSA International Treaties Negotiation

• Represent ZATCA and participate in relevant international treaties forums (i.e., OECD /WP 1, FTA MAP Forum, UN meetings, etc.) to strengthen current relations, build new networks, and participate in discussions and agreements related to taxes
• Identify countries of interest to conclude multilateral treaties with based on detailed analysis of laws and internal regulations and treaties’ models
• Formulate KSA’s position on the treaties’ models of countries of interest
• Approach countries of interest and initiate the negotiation process
• Report on the negotiated treaties for approval
• Coordinate procedural formalities related to new and re-negotiated multilateral international treaties
• Attend meetings with relevant government entities to explain and clarify questions related to the negotiated treaties
• Coordinate for the translation of Arabic treaties and Saudi taxes into English and vice versa ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Coordinate for the publication of Saudi taxes on ZATCA website
• Follow-up with OECD Secretariat regarding update of list of covered corporate taxation agreements (CTAs) and KSA's positions
• Conduct MLI training for Operations and Legal and Enforcement functions
  
  
  

MoUs Development

• Develop Saudi Tax MoU model and procedures and obtain required approvals
• Draft multilateral MoUs based on stakeholder output ensuring alignment with set expectations, obtain input from concerned stakeholders, and ensure sign-off with the attendance of key stakeholders
  
  
  

Other Tax Treaties Related Procedures

• Review existing treaties to reflect the MLI reservations and changes to them
• Coordinate with IT & Digitization and Corporate Communications & Awareness functions to redesign ZATCA webpage relating to DTAs and the MLI synthesized texts (Arabic and English) ensuring timely publication
• Receive and study mutual agreement procedure (MAP) requests
• Address taxpayers’ queries related to multilateral international tax treaties (inbound requests from Legal and Enforcement function based on the SLAs with them)
• Prepare, issue, and regularly update the Saudi tailored Tax Treaty Application guidelines that aids treaty users in applying treaty provisions in a consistent manner
  
  
  

Job Details

Communication and Contacs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Law, or equivalent is required

Experience

0-2 years of relevant experience

Competencies

Negotiation and Influence - Developing

Communication - Developing

Professionalism - Developing

Coaching and Internal Business Consulting - Developing

Building Strategic Partnerships - Developing

Results Oriented - Developing

Customer Focus - Developing

Knowledge of Rules and Regulations and Taxation and Customs - Developing

Change Enabler - Developing

Risk Assessment and Management - Developing

Tax and Customs Treaties - Developing