Associate, Trade Finance

Job Purpose:

• This role is interchangeably responsible for; initiation, document checking, accepting and settlement of Trade Finance products. 
• The role processes all types of Export and Import: Commercial Letters of Credit, Standby Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, Documentary and Clean Collections; Avalized Bills, Bill Discounting, Supply Chain Finance transactions and Financial Institution remittances.
• All this in compliance with the Bank’s internal policies, CBK prudential guidelines, and the international trade guidelines and practices.
• The role also ensures timely and efficient customer service delivery and revenue generation, while safeguarding the bank’s interest in prevention of money laundering, potential litigations and losses.

Key responsibilities:

Processing of Trade Finance Instruments (60%):

• Review instructions received to ensure they are valid, workable and meet the bank’s and International Trade guidelines. Where required, liaise with customers to guide and seek clarity in order to obtain a complete application.
• Carrying out Trade Finance Compliance and due diligence checks in accordance with procedures e.g. Type of goods, countries involved and where required escalate to the line manager.
• Liaising with , Relationship Managers, Credit Administration, legal department and Treasury as required to facilitate processing of the transactions. This includes seeking approvals, marking of limits in the system, legal opinion of guarantee wordings, bank indemnities etc.
• Drafting, initiation and amendment of all types of Letters of Credit (Export, Import, Back-to-Back etc.). This involves liaising with customers with regards wording, terms and conditions.
• Drafting, Initiation and amendment of all types of Guarantees (Bid Bonds, Performance, Payment etc.) and Standby Letters of Credit.
• Receiving, document processing, release to clients of all documentary Collections (Import, Export, Avalization).
• Receiving of outward foreign cheques, sorting, compliance checks, dispatch to correspondent banks for payment; confirmation and payment of inward foreign cheques; processing and dispatch of unpaid cheques.
• Receiving, customer confirmation and processing of Supply Chain Finance instructions (discounting and/or distributor finance). This applies for bills discounting outside Supply Chain Finance.
• Lodging & Acceptance of Bills (Collection and LC), and relaying acceptance to Correspondent Banks.
• Payment of Bills on due date or as customers submit instructions, in liaison with Business Development and Treasury as may be required.

Customer care (30%):

• Act as point of reference for enquiries and provide trade finance advice to external clients, and internally to bank staff as and when required.
• Correspondence with Counter Party banks – Initiation and response to correspondent bank queries.
• Confirmation of Guarantees Issued to External parties i.e. Government bodies and Large Corporates e.g. VIVO, SAFARICOM etc
• Preparation of reports of outstanding liabilities and sharing with Internal and External customers as and when called for.

Audit and compliance (10%):

• Monitoring Nostro Statements for reconciliation and accounting for and/or clearing any outstanding trade related items.
• Identify any potential red flags taking into consideration Compliance requirements/AML/Sanctions and escalating to line manager where required.
• Reporting any Risk events within timeframes outlined in the procedure.
• Safe keeping of Client Shipping documents in Fire Proof Cabinets.
• Follow up with customers for duly executed Bills of Exchange and indemnities for safe keeping as these are considered legal documents.
• Weekly review of Outstanding Liabilities and timely notification to the relevant stakeholders e,g. Customers, Business Development, Credit.
• Formally notifying customers and/or correspondent banks of overdue payments; and closure of bills within the set timelines.
• Printing and Call back of daily journals.

Academic Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in a Business-related field from a recognized institution.

Professional Qualifications:

• Any trade related professional qualification & certification.

Work experience:

At least 1-3 years’ relevant professional experience and track record in processing of trade products.

Key competencies:

• Ability to write letters, reports and to perform calculations.

Skills and Attributes:

• Integrity.
• Risk Awareness.
• Client Focus.
• Analytical skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Planning skills.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Basic understanding of trade rules and practices, both domestic and international.
• Satisfactory understanding of sanctions list and how to use them i.e. UN Sanctions, EU Sanctions, Domestic Sanctions if any.
• Basic knowledge of professional and industry standards, bank policies and international rules UCP, ISP, ISBP, URDG, URR, etc.