Job Description

Tailored job description for a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) Analyst role specific to the UAE region, considering the local payments ecosystem, central bank regulations, and merchant acquiring landscape.
Job Title: Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) Analyst
Department: Merchant Acquiring / Payments Strategy / Pricing & Analytics
Location: Dubai, UAE
Reports To: Head of Merchant Acquiring / Pricing & Product Manager - Payments
Job Summary:
The MDR Analyst will support the development, monitoring, and optimization of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) structures across acquiring services in the UAE. This role involves analyzing transaction data, ensuring compliance with Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE) guidelines, and helping design competitive pricing strategies that balance profitability and market share for retail and e-commerce merchant segments.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Pricing & MDR Strategy

• Develop and refine MDR models aligned with merchant category codes (MCCs), transaction volumes, and payment types (e.g., POS, e-commerce, contactless, QR).
• Support product and business teams with MDR pricing recommendations for new merchant onboarding, tenders, and key account negotiations.
• Benchmark MDR rates across the UAE and GCC region to ensure market competitiveness.

2. Data Analytics & Insights

• Analyze acquiring transaction data to identify trends, revenue leakage, and opportunities for MDR optimization.
• Prepare dashboards and business performance reports (monthly/quarterly) highlighting MDR revenue contribution and merchant-level profitability.
• Monitor changes in card scheme fees (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX) and network costs and assess impact on MDR.

3. Regulatory Compliance & Audit Support

• Ensure MDR structures comply with CBUAE regulations, including caps on fees for government, SME, and certain regulated segments.
• Support audits and internal risk reviews by maintaining documentation of MDR changes and approvals.
• Track regulatory developments in the UAE/GCC related to merchant acquiring and advise on potential impacts.

4. System Configuration & Testing

• Support configuration of MDR rates in acquiring systems, switch platforms, and reconciliation tools.
• Participate in UAT and regression testing for changes related to pricing engines or MDR rules.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Liaise with Relationship Managers, Finance, Operations, Risk, and IT to ensure accurate MDR application and smooth merchant onboarding.
• Work with Treasury and Settlement teams to validate revenue recognition and cost-sharing with schemes and partners.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Statistics, or a related discipline. Postgraduate degree is an advantage.
• 2-5 years' experience in payments, acquiring business, pricing analytics, or fintech in the UAE or GCC region.
• Strong understanding of merchant acquiring, interchange pricing, and scheme fee structures.
• Proficiency in Excel, SQL, and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
• Familiarity with payment network rules (Visa/Mastercard), CBUAE regulations, and merchant operations in the UAE.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.

Preferred Experience:

• Prior work experience with a bank, PSP, or payment aggregator operating in the UAE market.
• Exposure to POS terminal networks, e-commerce acquiring platforms, and integrated merchant solutions.
• Understanding of fintech trends, contactless payments, Apple Pay/Samsung Pay integrations, and BNPL impact on MDR.

Skills Required