Job Purpose
The Senior Officer is responsible for processing Trade Finance transactions accurately, efficiently, and within the agreed service-level timelines. The role ensures compliance with the Bank’s policies, regulatory requirements, international trade rules, and risk-control standards while maintaining high levels of internal and external customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
- Process transactions related to Trade Finance products accurately and within the agreed turnaround time.
- Review trade documentation and ensure transactions comply with customer instructions, internal policies, and regulatory requirements.
- Respond to customer and internal stakeholder queries and provide technical guidance when required.
- Update transactions promptly in the relevant systems and support the review and enhancement of standard operating procedures.
- Minimise operational risk by ensuring all transactions are processed accurately and in accordance with applicable controls.
- Support daily and monthly proofing, reconciliations, statistical reporting, MIS preparation, and business continuity activities.
- Assist the Supervisor and Section Head with operational delivery and support activities.
- Escalate unusual or suspicious transactions and matters requiring higher-level attention.
- Support product testing, training, technical assistance, and service requests.
- Contribute to process improvements that enhance operational efficiency, customer service, and internal controls.
- Maintain proper and secure custody of records.
- Provide support across multiple desks and functions within the department.
- Maintain compliance with domestic and international regulations, ICC rules, the Bank’s Delegation of Authority Matrix, and relevant standard operating procedures.
- Demonstrate the Bank’s values and ethics and contribute to a controlled, consistent, and improvement-focused working environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline or a related field.
- Certificate in International Trade and Finance (CITF) is preferred.
Experience
- Minimum three years of hands-on experience in Trade Finance.
- Practical experience across Trade Finance products.
- Experience using core banking systems.
Knowledge and Skills
- Strong knowledge of Trade Finance products, documentation, shipping terms, local laws, legal risks, and banking procedures.
- Extensive knowledge of UCP 600, URC 522, ISBP, ISP 98, URDG 758, URR 725, Incoterms 2010, and ICC Banking Commission opinions.
- Working knowledge of SWIFT, insurance-related activities, and associated banking processes.
- Good communication, presentation, and analytical skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, macros, pivot tables, and Access.
- Strong attention to detail, operational-risk awareness, and customer-service orientation.
Performance Expectations
- Maintain zero operational losses, high-risk errors, unauthorised policy breaches, and critical audit findings.
- Achieve at least 95% adherence to agreed turnaround-time standards.
- Maintain strong internal customer satisfaction.
- Ensure timely completion of reconciliations, tracers, and other housekeeping activities.
- Contribute practical process-improvement proposals and support their implementation.
- Support departmental initiatives and cross-functional desks as required
