Vacancies at Absa Bank Limited

Job Summary

• To drive and deliver exceptional Retail and Business Banking performance, through powerful branch leadership, team development, excellent customer experience, and achievement of Operational & Controls rigor excellence in branches.
• Provide powerful leadership in the branch to deliver exceptional branch business growth and profitability.
• Drive implementation of business and service strategies, deliver Retail and Business Banking performance and growth targets in the branch.
• Maintain a high level of bank standards and management controls to achieve operational & control rigor excellence, through strict adherence to operations and compliance policies and guidelines.
• Establish a high-performance culture amongst the branch team.

Job Description

Key Accountabilities (Duties & Responsibilities) and approximate time split.

Business Growth: Time Split 60%

• Implement business strategic initiatives and create ownership of the branch performance targets. Agree on branch execution plans/strategies and ensure they are aligned to the Banks overall strategy- Growth, Transformation, and Returns.
• Diligently monitor branch business performance and make adjustments to the execution strategies accordingly.
• Manage branch portfolio risks in line with the bank’s portfolio appetite.
• In conjunction with the regional manager and products development, conduct product review and product development through constant feedback from the market.
• Collaborate and coordinate the development and implementation of sales initiatives with other business functions such as CIB, Asset Finance, Bancassurance, and Lead generation team to maximize cross-selling opportunities.
• Conduct market intelligence to identify new market opportunities, customer trends, existing geographical strength, emerging government directives, and changes in policy by regulators.
• Manage borrowing and non-borrowing accounts in the branch to enhance customer loyalty and retention.
• Harness existing staff potential and create new competencies in order to achieve competitive advantage.
• Lead the branch team to achieve its customer retention objectives, Transaction migrations from the counter to alternate channels, balance sheet growth goals, and acquisitions. Support will include Achieving branch sales targets as well as participating in and leading sales activations
• Establish firm relationships with the Top 200 clients and business influencers in the local area.
• Provide regular feedback to staff (individual/corporate) on performance (Sales, NPS, etc.).
• Provide clear direction and guidance to branch staff on business objectives, translating and prioritizing them into business performance measures at the branch level.
• Ensure proper controls, processes & procedures are adhered to at all times as per the laid down Absa bank policies.
• At all times, ensure the branch is opened and closed as per the approved regulatory timelines. Operations staff are ready and equipped to serve customers. This includes opening and closing branch batches on the core banking system.
• The branch must maintain the look and feel as per Absa bank standards.
• Ensure that Absa Bank’s policies are adhered to at all times when handling different products and solutions. Ensure adherence to all KYC & AML processes with regards to New to Bank business and acceptable TAT/Accuracy is observed at all times.
• Ensure all relevant system reports are printed, appropriately reviewed, signed off on a timely basis, and filed as per Absa Records Management policy.
• Ensure you and your team remain alert to the risk of financial crime and assist in the Banks efforts in combating it by adhering to the key principles in relation to: positively identifying your customers, knowing your customer, reporting suspicions, obtaining correct supporting documents in regard to LCT/OTT/FX Trades, safeguarding records and not disclosing suspicions to customers.
• In conjunction with the Branch Operation Lead - BOL, you are responsible for strict cost management in the branch by reviewing all service provider quotations before the work can proceed. In addition, BOL must conduct regular reviews of the following cost elements:
  • Branch expenditure.
  • Equipment maintenance.
  • Overtime approvals.
  • Stationery consumption, telephones, electricity, water, travel, etc.
  • Staff costs
  • Sundry losses
• Ensure compliance with operational, Security, controls and process risks requirements to avoid losses and prevent fraud arising from operational lapses, and to protect Bank and customer assets.
• Ensure that the branch achieves a minimum satisfactory audit rating through continuous assessment and prompt closure of all audit exceptions sighted.
• Ensure that relevant approvals for all transactions are sorted at all times as guided in the laid down policies.

Internal Controls, Governance, Processes & Procedures; Time Split 15%

• Ensure proper controls, processes & procedures are adhered to at all times as per the laid down Absa bank policies through the BOL.
• At all times, through the BOL, ensure the branch is compliant with all regulatory requirements i.e. opened and closed within the approved regulatory timelines, all approved licenses are in place and up to date, etc.
• Ensure that Absa Bank’s policies are adhered to at all times when handling different products and solutions. Ensure adherence to all KYC & AML processes with regards to New to Bank business and acceptable TAT/Accuracy is observed at all times.
• Ensure all relevant system reports are printed, appropriately reviewed, signed off on a timely basis, and filed as per Absa Records Management policy.
• Ensure you and your team remain alert to the risk of financial crime and assist in the Banks efforts in combating it by adhering to the key principles in relation to: positively identifying your customers, knowing your customer, reporting suspicions, obtaining correct supporting documents in regard to LCT/OTT/FX Trades, safeguarding records and not disclosing suspicions to customers.
• Responsible for strict cost management in the branch by reviewing all service provider quotations before the work can proceed. In addition, BOL must conduct regular reviews of the following cost elements:
  • Branch expenditure.
  • Equipment maintenance.
  • Overtime approvals.
  • Stationery consumption, telephones, electricity, water, travel, etc.
  • Staff costs
  • Sundry losses
• Ensure compliance with operational, Security, controls and process risks requirements to avoid losses and prevent fraud arising from operational lapses, and to protect Bank and customer assets.
• Ensure that the branch achieves a minimum satisfactory audit rating through continuous assessment and prompt closure of all audit exceptions sighted.
• Ensure that relevant approvals for all transactions are sorted at all times as guided in the laid down policies.
• Ensure all fees and commissions due to the bank are collected.
• Drive quality sales through actioning of unfunded accounts, uncollected credit cards, and delinquency.
• Ensure Data privacy policies are adhered to at the branch at all times.

Customer Experience: Time split 15%

• The branch must maintain the look and feel as per Absa bank standards.
• Ensure excellent customer experience is maintained at all times.
• Ensure set TAT is achieved at all times.
• Appraise and promptly act on customer issues /complaints escalating as necessary to ensure timely resolution.
• Ensure set TAT in response to customer queries by phone, email, or by letters is strictly adhered to.
• Ensure customer data is up to date.
• Ensure branch NPS scores are maintained as per the set standards.
• Co-ordinate branch initiatives aimed at gathering feedback from customers on service standards and advise leadership for improvements.
• Provide leadership around customer experience at the branch.
• Monitor the counter service to ensure customers are served within acceptable waiting time.

Capacity Building & People Management; Time split 10%

• Build and develop a high performing and motivated staff team in the branch by creating a conducive work environment, teamwork, regular duty rotations, and effective succession opportunities to ensure maximum productivity.
• Help in resource planning, setting performance objectives and measures of success for direct reports, and providing regular feedback on performance.
• Provide leadership by constantly offering training and guidance on the colleague’s expectations. Adequate coaching and mentoring of branch staff.
• Effectively manage, mobilize, and coordinate branch resources (Staff, equipment, safe environment, etc.) to achieve common goals.
• Ensure the assigned e-learning and internal training activities for self and direct reports are undertaken within set timelines.
• Determine and manage Training Needs Analysis and Succession plans for direct reports and ensure they do the same for all their staff.
• Manage performance/disciplinary issues/grievances for branch staff.
• Management of leave/sickness

Role/person specification

Qualification

A university degree in a relevant discipline, post graduate qualifications will be an added advantage.

Preferred Experience

• At least 5 years of Banking / Financial Services experience out of which at least 3 years in branch management with a good track record of performance.
• Prior experience in the banking industry; including experience in supervisory or managerial positions.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong leadership, managerial, and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively lead and motivate teams, collaborate with stakeholders, and drive change within the branch.
• Strong leadership and Managerial Skills.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to motivate and develop staff.
• A solid understanding of financial products and services offered by the bank.
• knowledgeable about lending procedures, investment options, regulatory compliance, risk management, and customer relationship management.
• A solid track record of achieving sales targets, & the ability to drive sales and deliver excellent sales targets set by the bank.
• A good understanding of banking regulations, compliance requirements, and risk management practices to ensure that the branch operates within legal and ethical boundaries.
• Up-to-date knowledge of competitor and market activity in the local area
• Detailed working knowledge of operational and credit risk policies and procedures for both Retail and Business Banking segments.

Ideal Job Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Technology Skills - Knowledge of computerized banking applications and spreadsheets
• Conceptual and analytical skills - Ability to quickly grasp and understand systems and keen to details.
• Risk management - Ability to anticipate and mitigate risk by implementing appropriate risk management policies for the bank.
• Compliance and Regulatory Framework - Top incision understanding of the regulatory issues, reporting, and operational requirements as provided by CBK, KBA, KRA, etc.
• Basic Credit Skills - Good knowledge of personal and business credit underwriting and portfolio management.
• Audit standards & Legislation - Good knowledge of International Accounting, and Audit Standards, and Legislation
• Knowledge of Banking and Business Operations - Knowledge of all the Banks' operations and processes and excellent knowledge of bank policies and procedures to consistently achieve the required compliance standard.

Behavioral Competencies

• Results and achievements oriented- Strives to achieve results, enjoys measuring others, being measured, and being judged on performance standards and those of others he/she leads to optimize employee productivity. Ability to effectively plan and monitor the branch performance using defined systems and processes.
• Leadership and Management Skills - Ability to identify, nurture and grow talent for self and others. Capability to mentor and manage changes. Self-empowerment to enable the development of open communication. Teamwork and trust are needed to support performance and a customer service-oriented culture.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills - Well-developed oral and report-writing skills, ability to work with, coach, and mentor staff.
• Negotiation & Selling Skills - Must be a good negotiator, particularly in changing behavior and work practices but always win/win. Negotiate with customers on product offerings to grow customer numbers/value and product uptake.
• Human Resource Management Skills - Leadership skills, team building, and ability to train, develop, lead, and build motivated teams.
• Personal Ethics - Must be honest, fair, just but firm with self, and of high integrity.
• Relationship Management - Managing colleague and client relationships so as to ensure excellent customer experience leading to value add to the customer and increase in the Banks share of wallet.
• Conscious of banks' reputation - Protect and enhance the banks' reputation.

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Job Summary

The Legal Manager will serve as a legal adviser to First Assurance and will report to the Head of Claims Department. Responsible for offering legal counsel, Coordinate operations of external advocates, negotiations to ensure settlement of third-party claims, and recovery on behalf of the company.
Also expected to work closely with other members of the organization to provide general legal guidance and advice to the organization.

Job Description

Litigation Management.

• Receiving summons and determining whether liability attaches on the part of the Company.
• Appointment of service providers to handle company matters as per policy and maintenance of a register for such appointments.
• Reviewing legal claims lodged against our insured’s and engaging third parties in out-of-court negotiations in line with past precedents and set parameters. Always ensuring that adequate reserves are maintained.
• Instructions to external lawyers on how the cases are to be handled.
• Reviewing correspondence and opinions from external lawyers and advising management.
• Engage in pre-trial briefings & in conjunction with external lawyers prepare witnesses for court attendance.
• Responding to advocates correspondence and ensuring up to date information is in each file.
• Reviewing judgments and recommending settlement or appeals. Making sure that adequate reserves are maintained.
• Receiving summons to enter appearance and plaint from our insured’s and distributing the same to our panel of external advocates.
• Negotiating matters out of court and keeping registers of such matters.
• Periodically review legal files to ensure accurate reserves are maintained and to ensure the files are up to date.
• Handling the Company’s recoveries from third parties and other insurance companies by instituting suits or out of Court negotiations and follow up thereof.
• Ensuring payments are raised in good time, authorized and forwarded to Finance Department. Follow up on judgment payments to avoid executions.
• Preparing legal reports & opinions.
• Pursue Third Party recoveries for the Company.
• Distributing the work coming into the claims legal department ensuring that all mails are actioned.
• Approving all discharge vouchers and judgments as per the approval limits
• Reviewing the external advocates fees to ensure that the fee notes are raised as per remuneration order.
• Providing legal advice, opinion and assistance on all legal claims matters to the management.
• Attending court hearing on behalf of the organization as and when required.
• Ensure Status Reports from service providers are received as per the guidelines.
• Prepare monthly reports and any other report that may be requested.

Policy development and advisory

• Review internal policies, procedures, and other documentation to make sure they are compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Help management with the interpretation and application of laws and regulations.
• Conduct proactive research on any pertinent legal issues and provide strategic legal guidance on the same.
• Monitor and communicate relevant changes in regulatory, corporate, and other applicable laws which may impact the business.

​​​​​​​Regulatory compliance 

• Support management in the proactive identification and mitigation of legal, regulatory, and business risks.
• Liaise with relevant departments to ensure that where legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action are taken.
• Monitor and communicate relevant changes in regulatory, corporate, and other applicable laws which may impact the business.
• Provide support on the operational areas with day-to-day regulatory insurance compliance issues.
• Provide required support in the preparation of the department’s monthly and quarterly reports for executive management meetings and Board meetings.
• Timely response to IRA matters and attend meetings as and when required.
• Ensure biannual review of all outstanding liability claims.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Operations

• Providing continuous leadership, supervision, training, and development of the legal department staff to ensure an effective and motivated team.  
• Ensure maintenance of documentation and legal databases.
• Ensure biannual review of all outstanding liability claims.
• Provide accurate, reasoned and concise legal advice to business teams at all levels and across multiple departments
• Reviewing and developing legal and communication policies, procedures and recommending areas of improvement
• Promoting legal, compliance and risk management best practice throughout the company
• Drafting and reviewing various insurance related documents, developing and supporting the ongoing use of document templates, working collaboratively with teams across the business to ensure stakeholder interests are understood and addressed.
• Horizon scanning for future areas of challenge or change within the insurance regulatory and legal framework as well as the insurance industry generally, working collaboratively to identify and consider approaches to address such challenges or changes
• Independently managing various projects and deadlines, working collaboratively with the legal team and wider business required.
• Various BAU responsibilities including supporting the review of NDAs and other common insurance agreements and endorsements, as well as legal review of documents produced by the business.
• Ability to provide secretarial and legal services to the business as when required.

Education and Experience Required:

• Holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized institution.
• Certified Public Secretary (CPS) with a valid and current practicing certificate issued under the Certified Public Secretaries Act.
• Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with an active and valid practicing certificate.
• Duly registered member of the Law Society of Kenya, in good standing.
• Over 8 years of legal practice within the insurance and financial sectors, with expertise in Commercial Law, Litigation, and Conveyancing.
• A Diploma in Insurance and certification from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) will be considered an added advantage.

Education

Bachelor Honours Degree: Law, Military Science and Security (Required)