Unit Head – Middle Office

Job Purpose:

To manage all activities coming under the purview of Trade Services Section and to support the business of conventional and Islamic Corporate Banking, SME and FIG. Work Closely with all internal stake holders for Development of Business Objectives / Plans for Trade Services in line with Bank Overall Objectives

Key Tasks and Duties:

• Manage the staff assigned to the level determined by the senior management.
• Provide guidance on technical matters relating to trade and provide advisory services to internal and external customers.
• To attend to audit queries and compliance related to Corporate Banking and FIG
• To handle training session for TSS staff / other department of the banks as well as for corporate clients on Trade Finance.
• Provide effective leadership to trade services unit and motivate & develop resources.
• To ensure controls are in place for reduced operational losses and errors proactively.
• Plan, organize & coordinate all resources of the unit so as to maintain and further improve efficiency.
• Review unit activates and processes periodically.
• Review and recommend required changes to guarantee texts 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.
• Check / authorize trade transactions and be accountable for accuracy.
• Maintain close customer contacts and deepen relationships. Ensure maker and checker concept are implemented.
• Put in place operational framework to proactively deduct potential operational errors and losses.
• Periodic MIS of funding of key operational controls / actual activities are conducted.
• Ensure proper control management, regulatory reporting, review, reconciliation and balancing of critical entries for example and not limited to: amortizations, finance accruals.
• Audit Rating to be 'SATISFACTORY' - all audit recommendations/improvements suggested are implemented.
• Contribute in the renewal of all SOPs of Trade Services Section to ensure best practice & process are incorporated, approved and implemented. ensure all team members are thorough with the Trade SOPs.
• Keep the unit team members ready at all times for BCP and contingencies.
• Attend & Contribute to Al Jowda meetings/huddles as and when conducted. Improve continuously the content/substance of the Al Jowda meeting to align the team with department goals & initiatives.
• Participate & contribute proactively on study related to Processing Efficiency; and Time & Motion Study.
• Implement steps for cost reduction as per department targets.
• Conduct Mid-year reviews and Yearly performance reviews are conducted as per HR policy. Ensure 1 to1 meeting with direct reports on a quarterly basis with constructive feedback.
• Ensure 2 backups are created for each desk/role. Ensure each team members are trained on a new product within the unit and utilize their knowledge to create a self-supporting Unit.
• Increase Staff Engagement. Involve, motivate and Empower Unit team members.
• Implement Job rotation plan.
• Monitoring of staff attendance/punctuality and unplanned leave. Take appropriate actions required as per HR policies. Compliance with Bank's Leave policy ensuring availability of back ups before availing Leave. Ensure leave taken for self & the team as per HR policy.
• Ensure monthly team meetings are held with your unit team members with clear action points.
• Handle any other work assigned by Head of Trade Operations Transformation.
• Ensure all your unit members assist each other to achieve smooth processing.
• Actively engaged in techno functional related work for TI application/ Swift…etc.
• Attend to the functional and technical requirements for trade systems and prepare and complete UATs.
• Archival of processed / completed transactions to be done periodically as per process.

Job Holder Specifications:

Qualifications

• A first degree in Finance / Accounting.
• Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists – CDCS (Optional)

Experience

Minimum 10 years experience in Banking preferable with Operations processing experience with the proven ability to show attention to detail and the ability of effectively communicate with internal and external customers, co-workers and management. A high level or organisation and attention to accuracy and details is required.

Skills required include:

• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Functional and technical knowledge of International trade rules, Trade Finance products and processes.
• Organizational skills
• Good written and spoken English
• Excellent office technology skills
• Analysis / Problem Assessment skills
• Good person to person skills
• People management skills
• Arabic is an advantage
• Problem solving and technical banking skills, with in-depth knowledge of the bank's systems and procedures