RDI Strategy Analyst (UAE National)

Life at Dubai Future Foundation

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) aims to realize the wise vision of Dubai's leadership to institutionalize the envisioned future and forward-thinking methodologies, while positioning Dubai as the leading city of the future. In partnership with its local and global partners from governments, companies, startups, and entrepreneurs, DFF drives joint efforts to collectively imagine, design, and execute the best possible future for humanity.

Under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, the DFF runs and oversees many futureproofing projects and initiatives, such as the Museum of the Future, Area 2071, The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution UAE, Dubai Future Accelerators, One Million Arab Coders, Dubai Future Academy, Dubai Future Solutions, Dubai Future Labs, Dubai Future Forum, and is the custodian entity of Dubai Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) program. DFF's efforts to share knowledge, adopt innovation, support entrepreneurs and innovative startups, build capacity, and promote forward-thinking and foresight principles contribute to Dubai's ambitions to be a role model for the cities of the future through the power of unlimited imagination, innovation, foresight and disruptive mindset.

For more information on the initiatives, projects, and programs of Dubai Future Foundation, please visit the website: www.dubaifuture.ae

Where does this role fit into the bigger picture

The Dubai Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Program was launched in 2024 to accelerate innovation, enhance regulatory agility, and reinforce the Dubai's role as a global centre for future economies and advanced technologies. RDI will further develop and support Dubai's RDI ecosystem by bringing research, regulation, and technology development together under a single, coordinated framework.

As a part of RDI, Sandbox Dubai is a Regulatory Sandbox aiming to drive economic growth by helping innovators navigate policies, create time-bound testing environments, and modernise regulations to solidify Dubai as a global hub for innovation and economic success. It centers around key themes such as: Artificial Intelligence, Health Technology, Green Technology, and Real Estate Technology.

The Strategy Analyst reports to the Senior Strategy Manager of Sandbox Dubai and RDI, and will collaborate closely with the rest of RDI and Sandbox team.

Strategy Analyst

As part of the RDI Strategy team, the Strategy Analyst will work closely with the Senior Strategy Manager to support strategic, data-driven initiatives. This role is central to analysing industry trends, supporting RDI projects, with a focus on Sandbox Dubai, and helping define the framework for regulatory innovation across priority sectors.

Strategic Support

Demand Sensing Analysis: Lead research in demand sensing activities for all future sandboxes. Conduct industry analysis and monitor international regulatory and innovation trends in key priority sectors. Use insights from global and local contexts to enhance the design of sandbox initiatives and identify opportunities for Dubai.

Performance Tracking: Support the development of RDI and sandbox KPIs and assist with data collection, analysis, and reporting to measure performance.

Global Trend Monitoring: Track international regulatory and innovation trends in key priority sectors to enhance the design of future sandbox initiatives and connect global themes/trends with opportunities for Dubai.

Quantitative Analysis

Economic Impact Analysis: work with experts to conduct economic impact analysis as part of the demand sensing activity to help prioritize new initiatives.

Data Analysis: Collaborate with project managers to collect, organize, and analyze data related to sandbox experiments, participant performance, and industry benchmarks.

Reporting and insights: Prepare comprehensive reports on sandbox experiments, including summary reports highlighting trends, insights, and key metrics for senior team members.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Knowledge Development

Team Coordination: Work closely with legal, policy, strategy, and partnerships teams to ensure project compliance and cross-sector success. Support outreach event planning with the partnerships team and coordinate compliance-related efforts with legal teams.

Stakeholder Management: Assist in managing external resources, including consultants and advisors, ensuring alignment with RDI's strategic goals.

Thought Leadership and Internal Development: Contribute to the development of policy proposals, regulatory models, and whitepapers. Support process improvements and knowledge development to enhance RDI operations.

Other strategic support required from the broader RDI team.

Why this role is important

This role supports Dubai RDI's mission to advance research and innovation, especially regulatory innovation and foster industry growth by providing key strategic insights and data-driven solutions. The Analyst will play a pivotal role in enabling effective RDI and Sandbox designs, improving operations, and ensuring alignment with Dubai's broader vision for sustainable development and economic competitiveness.

What Dubai Future Foundation offers

We will offer you a unique opportunity to work with passionate people, support shapers of the future as well as work that has an impact, not only on the organization or the UAE but all of humankind.

You will have the chance to work on exciting and new projects, work in a highly diverse and fast paced environment that fosters creativity, disruptive ideas and innovation.

Who we're looking for

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Economics, Public Policy, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Statistics, or Law. A Master's degree is preferred.

Experience: 0-2 years experience in strategy, management or economic consulting, macroeconomic analysis, or a general strategic role, with a proven ability to perform quantitative analysis and strategic thinking.

Industry Expertise: Experience working with government agencies, international organizations, or technology hubs is desired. Experience in one or more of the key priority thematic areas (AI/Technology, Healthcare, Infrastructure/Real Estate, or Sustainability) is strongly preferred.

Skills required: Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including data modeling and impact assessment, as well as demonstrated ability to think strategically and work collaboratively as part of a team.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Strong verbal and written communication skills are required to effectively engage multidisciplinary teams. Able to clearly articulate insights and impact from analysis during updates to Sandbox and DFF leadership as well as external stakeholders.

Languages: Fluent in reading, writing & presenting in English. Fluency in Arabic is preferred but not required.

Mindset: Agile, proactive, self-driven, and ready to work independently or as part of a collaborative team, and ability to drive cross-functional collaboration, manage multiple projects, and meet tight deadlines.