Assistant Manager - Trade Operations at Equity Bank Kenya

Job Purpose:

The role is within the Trade Finance Department and responsible for; Authorizing; document checking or the settlement stage of trade finance operations products. The role will be Authorizing Letters of Credit (Back-to-Back, transferrable etc.); IRUs; amendments; assignment of proceeds; LC settlements; discounts; acceptances; documents on approval; collections; IRU claims; Guarantees; SBLC; file maintenance. Ensuring all transactions are in accordance with EQB(K)L Trade Finance, and SWIFT Procedures; relevant ICC; (UCP 600) (ISBP) (URC)(URR)(ISP) (URDG)INCOTERMS; EQB(K)L Governance Manual and Compliance.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Overseeing and managing the centralized Trade Finance team including controlling issuance of LCS, Bank Guarantees, Documentary Collections settling bills and other Trade Finance Instruments to avoid delays and costs in adherence to the latest UCP 600 version, URDG 768, URR 522 and ISBP 745 
• Liaising with Bank Branches to provide documentation and clarification required to ensure compliance with the bank’s requirements and continuity of credit line. 
• Execute Transactions within pre-set standardized turnaround times for all Trade Finance activities and service level agreements (SLAs) with business units. 
• Overseeing Reconciliation of Nostro items. 
• Co-ordination with Trade Finance Department for the preparation and timely submissions of monthly Reports and other ad-hoc report to the Director Trade Finance and other key departments 
• Ensuring nil revenue leakage for Trade Finance transactions by conducting quarterly departmental revenue audits. 
• Advising Branches and RMs on matters relating to customer limits, pricing, products, service delivery, inquiries and provision of trade services. 
• Overseeing Filling of customers documents in safe custody. 
• Review instructions received to ensure they are valid, workable, and meet ICC and EQB(K)L guidelines and procedures 
• Carrying out Trade Finance Compliance and due diligence checks in accordance with procedures 
• Investigate and respond to any enquiries received (internal/ external) 
• Create File at the time of Initiation and ensure accuracy of Filing and maintenance of archive register 
• Ensure expired/ fully utilized LCs are closed within the stipulated time and any outstanding cash cover is refunded  
•  Ensure Risk events are reported within timeframes outlined in the procedure Act as expert point of reference for enquiries and escalated issues and provide TF advice to external clients and internally to EQB(K)L staff as and when required Register Documents received under LCs 
•  Carryout Compliance and due diligence checks on parties and Vessel 
• Review instructions received for workability and liaised with customers regarding requirements if unclear. 
• Advising Branches and RMs on matters relating to customer limits, pricing, products, service delivery, inquiries and provision of trade services. 
• Ensuring compliance with operational risk by monitoring the completion of RCSAs on a monthly basis by the Trade Finance Officer. 
• Managing of client’s pipeline and following up to the closure of transaction. 
• Managing all Trade Finance reconciliation reports and following up on long outstanding nostro items 

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience: 

• A degree in Business, Banking, Finance, Economics or a related discipline is preferable  
• Trade Finance certification course is an added advantage-CDSC, CITF, CSDG. 
• Must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in Trade Operations 

Key Skills and Competencies: 

• Strong knowledge of all Trade Finance  
• Good knowledge of Trade Finance Compliance
• Ability to supervise staff, including organizing, prioritizing, and assigning work in the office  
• An ability to identify improvements and look for ways to create efficiencies. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team to successfully deliver on KPIs. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Strong attention to detail, quality and accuracy 
• Proven record of collaborating with colleagues across geographic and functional boundaries 
•  Willingness to share knowledge and advice with other colleagues and support their development 
• Ability to inspire and mentor a team.