Head of Trading at Equity Bank Kenya

THE ROLE PURPOSE

To provide strategic leadership in delivering innovative and customized Foreign Exchange (FX), Fixed Income (FI), derivatives, and commodity hedging solutions to institutional, corporate, SME, and retail clients across Kenya. The role is responsible for managing the trading desk, driving market-making activities, and structuring tailored financial solutions that address clients’ risk management and investment needs, optimize returns, and support business growth. The position also focuses on strengthening client relationships, leveraging market opportunities, and enhancing the Bank’s value proposition in alignment with the Group Treasury Strategy.

the KEY responsibilities 

Strategy

• Position the bank as a regional hub connecting African commodity, FX & FI, and Rates markets with international financial markets.
• Identify opportunities across FX, Rates, and Commodities and drive client engagement through integrated solutioning.
• Monitor performance against strategic targets through regular reporting and proactive performance controls.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand the bank’s sales, structuring and derivative trading franchise across Kenya. Focusing on FX and FI, Rates and Commodities hedging solutions.
• Develop tailored, market‑relevant solutions for corporates (agribusiness, energy, mining, manufacturing), financial institutions, and SMEs addressing risk management and financing needs while driving revenue through structured financing, hedging, and trade solutions.
• Contribute to the bank’s commodities strategy, aligning with regional growth priorities as per ARRP.
• Collaborate with product, coverage and operations teams to deliver seamless client solutions.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure all structured deals comply with regulatory requirements across Africa jurisdictions.
• Work closely with risk teams to assess credit, market and operational risks in commodity transactions
• Promote sustainable and responsible financial products, aligned with ESG standards.
• Identify, measure, monitor and mitigate Liquidity, FX and Interest Rate risk across the Group.
• Oversee hedging strategies and ensure alignment with risk appetite and policies.
• Management of counterparty exposures and maintain strong banking relationships.

Governance & Processes

• Continuous supervision of structuring deal processing and execution across Treasury units to ensure efficiency and control.
• Ensure all daily transactions and activities align with defined business goals and objectives.
• Execute commodity and derivative transactions in line with approved Product Notes and governance documentation.
• Maintain full compliance with Group policies, Treasury governance frameworks, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Promote a strong control culture, ensuring adherence to internal controls and external regulations across all markets.
• Identify, escalate, and resolve risk, conduct, and compliance issues in coordination with Treasury Risk & Control.
• Engage with internal and external auditors, providing required support and ensuring audit readiness.
• Represent the Structuring and Derivatives function in governance forums, industry engagements, and stakeholder platforms.

Talent Management

• Develop and strengthen talent capability, including mentoring junior staff, building internal expertise in commodities structuring, and delivering targeted training.
• Build and sustain a high-performing, diverse talent pipeline, aligned to Group values, code of conduct, and defined performance and inclusion KPIs.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELIVERABLES  

• Ensure all trading and structuring activities (FX, FI and derivatives) comply with internal policies, prudential guidelines, and market conduct standards, maintaining robust oversight over counterparty limits, pricing governance, product approvals, and exception management.
• Provide timely and accurate MIS, trading performance, structuring pipeline, revenue analytics, market insights, audit responses, and risk reports, including escalation of key issues in line with the Treasury governance framework.
• Lead, mentor, and develop trading and structuring teams across markets, strengthening capabilities in FX, Fixed Income, derivatives, and client solutioning, while building sustainable bench strength across the Group.
• Drive execution of the Group Treasury strategy, enhancing the FX and Fixed Income trading franchise and structured solutions offering, ensuring alignment with ARRP priorities, market opportunities, and Group risk appetite.

 Qualifications

KEY TECHNICAL SKILLS & LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Behavioural Framework
• Understanding of the policies, procedures, and ethical requirements of a Treasury environment
• Effective communication skills and stakeholder engagement
• Strategic mindset, provide clarity in direction and quality decision making
• Ethical and effective leadership, be courageous and facilitate teamwork
• Be customer focus

Technical Competencies

• Financial Products, markets and economic fundamentals
• Expertise in trading and platforms
• Knowledge of treasury, retail, corporate and capital market products
• Business acumen and Project management
• Strong knowledge of commodity markets (energy, metals, agriculture etc.)
• Expertise in derivative and risk management
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory environments in Africa

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS   

• 10+ years’ experience in Treasury/Global Markets with at least 5 years in a trading and leadership role.
• Proven track record in FX, FI and commodity products, structuring products and risk management solutions.
• Deep understanding of global liquidity management, funding, pooling and funding structures and financial products and markets.
• Strong understanding and experience of African financial markets, regulatory environments and cross-border treasury operations.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field, Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional certification (e.g. CFA, FRM, or equivalent).
• ACI dealing certificate is a requirement.