Chief Trade Finance Operations Officer, Trade Finance Division

African Development Bank

THE BANK:

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development finance institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank's development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In order to sharply focus the objectives of the Ten Year Strategy (2024 – 2033) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas (High 5s) have been identified for scaling up, namely; energy, agri-business, industrialization, regional integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.

THE COMPLEX:

The Vice Presidency for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization is central to the Bank's mission of developing the private sector, improving infrastructure and accelerating industrialization. The complex main functions are to (i) strengthen the enabling environment for private sector [and financial sector] development conducive to inclusive growth and sustainable development, (ii) support the development of reliable and sustainable infrastructure, including cities and urban development, and (iii) place renewed emphasis on industrial and trade performance in support of structural transformation across Africa. The Complex leverages knowledge, co-financing, and partnerships to attract private capital and work with governments on delivering the Bank's development agenda.

THE HIRING DEPARTMENT:

The primary role of the Financial Sector Development Department (PIFD) is to help the Regional Member Countries (RMCs) increase the reach, depth, and breadth of their financial systems, while safeguarding financial stability. The Department has four long-term objectives: (i) development of a vibrant private sector through inclusive access by households and enterprises to financial services; (ii) strengthening market participants; (iii) developing efficient capital markets, and (iv) deepening regional financial integration.

Together with other Industrialization, Infrastructure and Private Sector Complex departments, PIFD is responsible for implementing the Bank Group's Financial Sector Development Action Plan to develop vibrant, innovative, robust and competitive financial systems, both national and regional, and in both the public and private sectors of RMCs. PIFD plays a transversal role across the Bank's five strategic priorities, applying its financial deepening and access tool kit for the achievement of the High 5 priority goals. PIFD leverages partnerships to foster greater development impact in Africa's financial sector.

THE POSITION:

The role of the Bank's Trade Finance Division (PIFD3) is to help promote regional and international trade by addressing the trade finance funding gap in Africa by providing guarantees, liquidity support and technical assistance to financial institutions, commodity corporates and other economic and state actors engaged in this critical sector.  These instruments also serve as market entry instruments in fragile states and low-income countries and pave the way for the eventual introduction of other products to support financial institutions and the private sector in these countries.

The Chief Trade Finance Operations Officer is responsible for the management of a portfolio of guarantees and the supervision of the middle/back-office operations of the Trade Finance Division to improve the efficiency of project implementation through effective transaction processing and portfolio monitoring. This includes managing ongoing relationships with Confirming Banks and Issuing Banks, managing the trade finance database system used for recording guarantee transactions, monitoring of limits, reconciliation of outstanding guarantees and guarantee fees due to the Bank and ensuring compliance of partner banks with the conditions and covenants of the signed guarantee agreements. The job holder will provide expert advice to the Trade Finance Division Manager on trade finance middle/back-office operations issues and supervise a team of professionals in the middle/back-office function. 

KEY FUNCTIONS:

Under the overall supervision of the Trade Finance Division Manager and in close collaboration with colleagues in the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization (PIVP) Complex, the Chief Trade Finance Operations Officer will perform the following functions:

Operational Excellence and Portfolio Management

- As supervisor of the Middle/Back Office, the incumbent is expected to direct the activities of the Middle/Back Office with minimal supervision from the Division Manager.  The incumbent will agree a work plan and objectives with the Manager and regularly update the latter on progress, issues and challenges.
- Lead the administration of all trade finance guarantee arrangements with partner international banks, local banks, regional banks, regional development finance institutions and other and multilateral development banks.
- Supervise and monitor the performance of the trade finance guarantee portfolio and where necessary analyse, develop and implement changes to ensure the products remain relevant to the needs of clients. This includes continuously seeking out ways to improve the middle/back-office architecture such as IT systems, reports, templates and risk management and operating guidelines.
- Oversee the maintenance of the trade finance database used for guaranteed exposure management and tracking of key development outcome indicators by ensuring completeness of reports/documents and accuracy of information.
- Supervise and lead the planning and execution of portfolio supervision and project completion missions to partner Confirming Banks and Issuing Banks. This includes developing terms of reference for the mission and undertaking background review of the portfolio or transactions that will be the subject of the supervision mission. The work also includes assessing the risks of projects and advising senior management on appropriate mitigating measures; structuring/restructuring of projects to minimize financial risks; participating in negotiations on review of the financing terms and legal conditions of portfolio projects.
- Provide technical advice to the Trade Finance Division Manager on trade finance operations and systems issues to achieve operational excellence.
- Participate in and contribute to internal and external training and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.
- Assume overall responsibility for the activities of the middle/back office and coordinate the work of staff in the team including consultants.
Partnerships and strategic alliances

- Promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across organizational units. Maintain closer collaboration with other Trade Finance Investment Officers to share lessons learnt on a going basis. Develop and maintain strong relationships with colleagues in other Divisions such as legal, credit risk, finance, E&S, economic research and compliance.
- Serve as focal point for Trade Finance middle/back-office issues in interactions with external constituencies and expert groups.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Confirming Banks, Issuing Banks, regional Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), sister Multilateral Development Banks and international trade-oriented international organisations such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Bern Union and SWIFT among others on Trade Finance issues and market developments.
People Management and Staff Engagement

- Supervise a team of professional level trade finance middle/back-office staff in providing efficient and high-quality services to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Be a collaborative member of the Trade Finance Division, contribute and share expertise and foster a collegial environment.
- Contribute to the planning of various initiatives designed to facilitate interaction with other departments and external partner institutions. Participate in the preparation of annual work program/budget of the Division.
- Serve as a mentor and role model to less senior professional staff in the performance of their roles.
- Maintain a high standard of professional integrity and trust. Treat individuals fairly and respectfully; and be sensitive to differences across culture, nationalities and gender.
Corporate Communication and External Engagements

- Communicate effectively with staff and management through the preparation of high-quality information notes, analytical reports on the trade finance guarantee portfolio and presentations.
- Represent the Trade Finance Division and the Bank at key trade finance meetings and on committees of major trade finance organisations.

COMPETENCIES (Skills & Knowledge)

- A minimum of a master's degree in finance, Banking, Economics or related discipline. Training and certificate in Trade Finance middle/back-office operations is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated leadership and management experience leading a middle/back-office team.
- Sound knowledge of financial sector and trade finance issues and a demonstrated ability to engage in expert discussions on trade finance operations and systems issues.
- A minimum of 7 years progressive experience in trade finance middle/back-office operations in a commercial bankor development finance institution. It is highly desirable to have at least 3 years relevant work experience in Africa.  
- Expert knowledge of the trade finance middle/back-office operations market in Africa and proven track record in managing a portfolio of trade finance projects/transactions.
- Experience in developing and managing trade finance middle/back-office operations in a financial institution.
- Demonstrated understanding and practical appreciation of UCP 600, ISP 98, URDG 758 and other documentary credit issuance rules.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the mission, goals and practices of multilateral development finance institutions.
- Strong writing, presentation, negotiation and influencing skills that yield positive outcomes in complex stakeholder engagements with senior internal and external counterparts. This includes demonstrated ability to represent the Bank at high level conferences, panel discussions and workshops on trade finance.
- Highly developed decision making and analytical thinking skills with the ability to translate strategic concepts and direction into successful and sustainable initiatives and programs.
- Proficiency in English or French with a working knowledge of the other.
- Competence in the use of standard MS office applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint). Knowledge of SAP and database management systems is desirable.

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Secteur:

Poste:

Taux d'occupation: 80-100% / 100%

Type d'emploi: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

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