Quality Assurance & Monitoring Manager(Middle Office) at Equity Bank Kenya

Overall job Purpose

The holder of the position will be responsible for providing assurance that the risks associated with the Bank’s Structured Trade Finance portfolio are and remain within approved appetite and that all transactions therein are processed in compliance with all internal procedures and operational controls.

The role is also responsible for the co-ordination and management of key strategic partnerships and stakeholders who include and not limited to Regulatory, Portfolio Guarantee underwriters/partners, collateral managers, clearing agents, financial institutions among others.

The jobholder will also be responsible to support the day-to-day operational activities of Trade Finance unit and ensure trade finance transactions are processed promptly and accurately and within policy guidelines as well as Trade finance portfolio management – both funded and non-funded facilities.

 Key Accountabilities

Operational Plan [ 35%]

• Keeping and maintaining proper and accurate records of all commodities taken as collateral for lending to clients under the Structured Trade Finance portfolio.
• Processing of client product release requests including checking the documentation and preparation of release orders. 
• Reconciliation of records relating to commodities held under collateral management against balances and scheduled reports from collateral managers. 
• Prepare and implement Stock Monitoring or Collateral Management Agreements as outlined in the Facility Agreements to ensure the Bank’s security is monitored and still valuable. 
• Support the day-to-day operational activities of trade finance and ensure transactions are processed promptly and accurately and within policy guidelines.
• Processing of incoming and outgoing enquiries, instructions, physical documents with clients to fulfil the Service Level Agreement (SLA) standards agreed with internal and external stakeholders.
• Attend to customers’ queries and advise on trade finance - related matters including generating drafts for LCs and Guarantees
• Act as control point to ensure all bank and regulatory requirements are fulfilled Pre- and post-transaction monitoring.
• Liasing with Legal department on drafts not within the bank approved format

 Portfolio Management & Monitoring [30%]

• Monitoring the Bank’s Structured Trade Finance portfolio to ensure adherence to approved terms and conditions as set out in the relevant term sheets. 
• Custody and maintenance of term sheets for all Structured Trade Finance facilities. 
• Portfolio management and daily reconciliation of trade finance transactions i.e. guarantees, letters of credit, documentary collections and trade loans.
• Periodic monitoring and supervision of facilities to ensure borrower is adhering to the terms and conditions outlined in the facility agreement.
• Deliver financial targets for the Trade business in the countries, whilst positioning the Bank’s trade products revenue growth for medium term.
• Manage Cost-to income ratios for the business to ensure they are aligned with the country's objectives.
• Price deals appropriately in order to ensure the attractiveness of the deal to FI clients and that the return is commensurate with the risk and that the bank’s return is maximized.
• Obtain adequate credit facilities and support in set up of appropriate credit lines for local & foreign banks on best terms ensuring that the bank achieves a same day TAT for setting up Limits.

Quality Assurance and compliance [20%]

• Carry out periodic compliance updates to ensure the documents under file are up to date and the bank is still covered when availing funds/instruments to the clients.
• Develop in-depth understanding of the trade business [trends & threats], the local economic/regulatory drivers and ensure all transactions have an updated risk profile.
• Assist in the implementation of internal and external audit recommendations related to portfolio management.
• Build and maintain a productive and strategic trade products relationship with local trade Customers in our presence /non-presence market and other parts of the world in order to drive the development and delivery of trade business for the bank.
• Champion the delivery of consistent, seamless and trusted customer service to ensure business retention and support from relevant stakeholders including financial institutions.
• Responsible for driving all the Trade business tactical strategies including all the initiatives identified in the Trade Strategy & the Financial Institution Trade Products Papers.
• Responsible for Trade products reviews and enhancement.

  Business Delivery [15%]

• Follow up on settlement of fees, commission and interest to ensure there is no income leakage on all trade related transactions.
• Gather and maintains market intelligence relevant to the Bank’s Structured Trade Finance business and share with the relevant stake holders, sales teams, product teams etc.
• Focus on transaction execution, facilitating enquiries and servicing clients’ requests, product development and maintenance, as well as reporting.
• Participate in external trade forums/seminars to enhance the bank’s visibility as a “Go To” Trade Bank. 
• Identify impediment to booking trade deals and resolve with the assistance of interrelated areas in the bank to ensure the deals in the pipeline are booked.
• Provide input to product development and design of marketing and sales materials founded on understanding of Trade client’s needs, trends, and current operational environment.

 Stakeholders Management [10%]

• Regular physical inspection of warehoused commodities under the Structured Trade portfolio. 
• Liaise and maintain good working relationship with both internal and external stakeholders i.e., Relationship Teams, Trade Operations, Legal, other Operational units and Clients embedded on good ethics and collaboration. 
• Seek out relevant local and global partners to ensure that trade business delivers the relevant and holistic business proposition.
• Manage skills training and knowledge transfers within the team, including Intra & inter teams training and knowledge transfer within the business segments. 
• Transfer and sharing of the best practice to ensure the teams receive appropriate training and development opportunities.
• Ensure we adhere to a high performing organisation profile and that the necessary tools are in place to maximise the ability of our people.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Line Manager.

Qualifications

Education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in commerce or equivalent
• Post graduate degree preferable
• 3 to 8 years’ experience in banking, Risk Management, Credit/portfolio Analysis, or Middle or Back-office roles in Trade related.
• Proven track record in Financial Institution business either as a Product Manager or a Relationship Manager.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong analytical skills
• High quality written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Time Management
• Networking
• Enthusiasm and high level of drive

 Competencies

• Personal and interpersonal skills
• Positive attitude
• Technical knowledge
• Commercial effectiveness
• Control Environment
• Management and Leadership