Country Head Asset & Liability Management (ALM), Kenya at Equity Bank Kenya

ROLE PURPOSE

• The job holder is responsible for executing the ALM strategy in ensuring an efficient and well-coordinated approach to managing liquidity risk and interest rate risk in the balance sheet.
• Contribute to the optimization of the balance sheet by ensuring adherence to internal policies, regulatory requirements and international best practices.
• Provide support to the Country Treasurer in managing the overall balance sheet structure for the Group, execution, investment management portfolio (AFS and HTM), Liquidity and Funding, Interest rate risk by driving capital efficient returns and outcomes.
• The role is at Senoir Manager/General Manger grade.

the KEY responsibilities 

Treasury Strategy:

• Liquidity Management: Oversee and enhance the treasury liquidity processes and activities to monitor and manage the bank’s liquidity positions including Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) and gap analysis, ensuring that the bank maintains desired liquidity levels and no regulatory breaches.
• Interest rate risk management: Collaborate with the Country Asset and Liability Committee (ALCO) to ensure adherence to regulatory compliance requirements and mitigate potential impacts from interest rate and liquidity risks, particularly concerning IRRBB (Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book) exposures.
• Proactive Risk Management: Anticipate market and regulatory challenges, implementing proactive strategies to manage and mitigate risks effectively. This includes developing and executing contingency plans for unforeseen events to ensure full compliance.
• Policy Development & Implementation: Partner with the CFO and Country Treasury to ensure effective execution of ALM policies, Guidelines and Product manuals.
• Balance Sheet Management: Focus on balance sheet analytics, comprehensive forecasting, and accurate financial modelling to inform strategic decision-making and ensure efficient and effective balance sheet management.
• Formulating strategies to manage banks’ Liquidity and Funding position optimally: Ensure appropriate funding profiles are achieved (diversification of funding base and lengthening of the funding profile).

 Risk Management:

• Risk Appetite & Limit Management: Monitor and escalate liquidity and IRRBB risks, ensuring strict adherence to approved limits and escalating breaches as necessary. Develop and implement remedial actions within the prescribed governance framework to maintain balance sheet stability.
• Risk Appetite Evaluation: Conduct in-depth evaluations of risk appetite versus risk exposure, ensuring alignment with organizational risk tolerance levels.
• Ensure adherence to ERMF: Ensure that adequate systems and process are in place to comply with Group and country treasury policies, guidelines, product notes among others.
• Ensure compliance with Group AML Policy and Procedures: Report any suspicious activities regarding money laundering and terrorist financing and ensure not tipping off is made to the customer.
• Governance: Provide for leadership and oversight over prudent risk management practices across subsidiaries.

Processes:

• Conduct research and collaborate with subject matter experts to evaluate market dynamics and the evolving regulatory environment. Ensure alignment with international ALM best practices.
• To provide expert guidance to ALCO and other key stakeholders, leveraging best practices to ensure the successful execution of ALM strategies in line with Group Treasury Strategy.
• Ensure the integrity and reliability of data related to liquidity, FTP (Funds Transfer Pricing), capital, and IRRBB.
• Ensure maximum return on excess liquidity and minimize the Bank’s cost of deposits and cost of funding.
• Ensure maximum return on the investment securities while minimizing exposure to risks of interest rates volatility.
• Ensure effective implementation of the Group FTP Framework to drive the right balance sheet behavior and ensure that any exceptions are well-documented and approval provided before adoption.
• Collaborate with Market Risk unit, Finance, and Credit to ensure that the ICAAP and ILAAP frameworks are fit for purpose and within regulatory guidance.
• Performing margin compression analysis and structural analysis.
• Monitoring and reporting on adherence to all regulatory and internal funding requirements and limits are within risk appetite.
• Ensure achievement of ALM budgets, and efficient management of financial resources to boost capital accretive returns.
• Manage all treasury related risks efficiently by providing oversight in Central Bank auction participation, sourcing and allocation of foreign currency, FX risk management, deal booking in accordance with treasury Code of Conduct and other governance policies.

Governance

• Ensure compliance with all Group and treasury governance policies.
• Promote an environment where compliance with internal controls and external regulatory framework is honored and central focus area of the business across multiple markets.
• Engage with auditors when required to provide the required support.
• Display exemplary conduct values by living the Group’s values and Code of Conduct.
• Take personal responsibility by promoting the highest standard of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct across our footprint.
• Identify, escalate and resolve any risk, conduct and compliance matters working closely with the Treasury Risk & control Manager

Talent Management

• Build a strong talent pipeline transparently, in line with diversity & inclusion KPIs and other KPIs in general with specific performance metrics on the Group values, Code of Conduct.
• Lead, mentor, and develop sales teams across traditional and digital channels.
• Build a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, innovation, and client‑centricity.
• Drive succession planning and talent development across the region.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in talent pipelines

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELIVERABLES  

• Liquidity & Funding Management: Ensure optimal liquidity positions and funding profiles across all subsidiaries, avoiding regulatory breaches and maintaining compliance with ALM policies. Must be experienced in Basel III banking requirements.
• Risk Management: Monitor IRRBB, liquidity, and market risks, ensuring adherence to risk appetite and limit frameworks. Escalate breaches and implement corrective actions promptly.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with Country Treasury policies, AML standards, and external regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Performance Reporting: Deliver accurate and timely reports on liquidity, funding, interest rate risk, and treasury KPIs to ALCO and senior management.
• Strategy Execution: Drive implementation of treasury strategies, including FTP framework and annual funding plans.
• Governance & Audit: Maintain strong governance standards, support internal/external audits, and ensure closure of audit and risk issues.
• Talent Development: Build and mentor a high-performing treasury team aligned with Group values and diversity objectives.

 Qualifications

 KEY TECHNICAL SKILLS 

Behavioral Framework:

• Strong understanding of Treasury policies, procedures, governance, and ethical standards.
• Clear and effective communication.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and collaboration across internal and external partners.
• Cultural and regulatory awareness.
• Sound and timely decision‑making.
• Strategic thinking and ability to provide clear direction.
• Ethical, credible, and effective leadership.
• Courage to challenge and strong teamwork orientation.
• Customer‑focused mindset.
• Action‑oriented with strong execution discipline.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of financial markets, economic fundamentals, and financial instruments.
• Understanding of treasury, retail, corporate, and capital market products.
• Expertise in liquidity management and interest rate risk management, including structural and behavioral balance sheet analysis.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, presentation, and pitching skills.
• Knowledge of Recovery and Resolution Planning (RRP).
• Financial analysis and performance management capability.
• Strong business acumen and project management skills.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and complexity.
• Ability to drive vision, provide direction, and develop talent.
• High‑quality judgement and decision‑making capability.

EXPERIENCE 

• 10+ years’ experience in Treasury or Finance, with minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Deep expertise in liquidity management, funding, cash pooling, balance sheet optimization, funding structures, hedging strategies, and financial markets/products.
• Must be experienced in Basel III regulatory requirements.
• Strong understanding of African financial markets, regulatory environments, and cross‑border Treasury operations.
• Proven experience with Treasury Management Systems (TMS) and related technologies.
• Advanced analytical, financial modelling and presentation skills (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management capability.
• Demonstrated ability to be innovative, results‑oriented, and deliver high‑quality outputs under pressure and tight timelines.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS  

• Post‑graduate degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Statistics, or a related field.
• Master’s degree is beneficial but not mandatory.
• Professional certification such as CFA, FRM, or CA is strongly preferred.
• ACI Dealing Certificate is a mandatory requirement.