Head of Trade Finance Operations

Job Purpose

• Prepare business cases for desired solutions to streamlining complex processes
• Identify and leveraging the potential of team towards process simplification
• To manage all activities coming under the purview of trade services section and to support the business of Corporate Banking and other units such as Business Banking, SME, Government as well as Financial Institutionals Group. Work closely with Head of Credit Administration/ Credit Risk Management unit for achieving the banks objectives/plans for Trade Services

Key Tasks and Duties

• To ensure high quality service delivery to customers
• Manage the staff assigned to the level determined by senior management
• Provide guidance on technical matters relating to trade and provide advisory services to internal and external customers
• Conduct gap analysis activity and conclude the area of focus. Subsequently re imagining the processes and establish to be processes workflows
• Actively participate in transformational projects drafting requirements, preparing test scenarios, managing user acceptance testing and managing transition between changes
• Manage stakeholders and resources for execution of transformation projects, including prioritise human resource allocation (ITD), financial resource allocation, interdependencies etc.
• Develop and maintain systems for “measure-to-manage” showing processing performance
• To attend to audit queries and compliance related to Corporate Banking and FIG
• To handle training session for the TSS staff / other department of the Banks as well as for corporate clients on trade finance
• Provide effective leadership to trade service Unit and motivate & Develop resources
• To support the business group for any new trade product for Corporate Customers as well as FIG
• To ensure controls are in place for reduced operational losses and errors proactively
• Plan, organise & coordinate all resources of the unit so as to maintain and further improve efficiency
• Review unit activities and processes periodically
• Review and recommend required changes to guarantee texts, agreements and various other documents in order to protect the bank from possible losses
• Monitor staff performance and provide guidance and leadership
• Review products, process & People to achieve Bank’s overall strategy
• Ensure adequate Checking/Authorization of trade transactions and be accountable for accuracy and speed of service delivery
• Maintain close customer contacts and deepen relationships
• Ensure Maker and Checker concept are implemented
• Put in place operational framework to proactively detect potential operational errors and losses
• Monthly and weekly MIS on finding key operational controls/ actual activities are conducted correctly
• Ensure monthly team meetings are held with your unit team members with clear action points

Academic and Professional Qualification

Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• CDCS qualified.

Experience

At least 10 years in Trade Operations and Trade Sales, good understanding of Trade products with up-to-date knowledge of ICC rules/guidelines, CBO and internal guidelines and good relationship skills

Skills required include:

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Organizational skills
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Excellent office technology skills
• Analysis / Problem Assessment skills
• Person to Person skills
• People management skills
• Problem solving and technical banking skills, with in-depth knowledge of the bank’s systems & procedures
• Arabic is an advantage