Head of International Banking

Job profile:

The main purpose of this role is to provide leadership and oversight of the banks International Banking operations to ensure that they are carried out in accordance with all regulatory, legal, and government regulations. The role holder has the overall accountability to oversee the management of relationships with correspondence banks and remittance service providers to facilitate remittance processes including developing terms of agreement/ Memorandums of Understanding and resolving any arising disputes.

Key responsibilities

Strategy/policy planning and implementation

• Develop creative and innovative strategies for international banking that are in line with the banks overall strategy.
• Keep abreast of local and global best practices in international banking operations and make recommendations to the COO on how these impact the unit.
• Demonstrate ownership of and communicate the department's strategic direction and objectives to all staff.
• Participate as member of senior management in formulating corporate strategies, policies, plans and budgets and in monitoring the Bank's performance to ensure that the corporate objectives and targets are achieved.
• Prepare the International Banking departmental budget and work program and follow up its implementation upon approval.

International Banking operations

• Develop, implement and continuously review the Bank's international banking policies, procedures and guidelines to achieve the Bank's strategic objectives.
• Ensure that CBK guidelines that relate to International banking operations are strictly and effectively applied.
• Monitor foreign currency reports on a daily basis to establish funds positions.
• Provide instructions to Treasury for funding of NOSTRO accounts.
• Manage the reconciliations of the NOSTRO accounts.
• Monitor domestic Foreign Currency (FCY) account with CBK on a daily basis.
• Handle both internal and external correspondences including correspondences with foreign banks.
• Manage relationships with correspondence banks, remittance service providers to facilitate remittance and settlement processes including developing terms of agreement/ Memorandums of Understanding and resolving any arising disputes
• Liaise with CBK on forex/FCY reporting.
• Monitor treasury entries to ensure FCY entries match with core banking system entries.
• Prepare periodic management reports for management decision making.
• Review and submit periodically CBK returns in line with CBK regulations.
• Monitor the bank's P&L accounts for FCY dealings.
• Review and confirm daily posted FCY transactions.
• Manage the bank's correspondences with regard to remittances and trade services.
• Direct the bank's trade finance operations including Local & Foreign Letters of Credit (LCs), Import and Export Bills, Import Bills under LCs, Export Bills under LCs, and Local & Foreign Discounted Bills and Cheques.
• Prepare and submit the bank's quarterly Covenant reports to the Bank's creditors.
• Review the FCY fixed deposits and FCY accounts.
• Manage relationships with the Bank's international banking clients and ensure high levels of service delivery by the division in order to meet their needs.
• Oversee Treasury back office operations

Leadership and people management

• Identify, develop, deploy and retain talented staff including completing performance appraisals effectively and on time in accordance with the established performance management procedures.
• Adhere to compliance and operational risk controls in accordance with the Bank's and regulatory standards, policies and practices and ensure that all staff are familiar with them.
• Develop accountability structures, oversee periodic reporting and monitor the performance indicators for International Banking department.

Related Job Experience/Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Management, Banking, Finance or other related fields.
• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Management, Banking, Finance is an added advantage
• At least thirteen years' international banking experience, with at least five years in a senior managerial position

Additional skills

• Demonstrated success in developing strategy, driving process improvement and effective partnering to lead critical business change.
• A distinguished professional history demonstrating an in-depth understanding of International Banking operations.
• Networking skills to effectively leverage on relationships that will enhance customer acquisition and retention.
• Extensive knowledge of Laws of the country, ICC rule and regulations and International Banking Laws.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior level leaders regarding key business priorities, issues and initiatives.
• Expert knowledge of foreign currency dealing, fund control, trade services and remittance processes and strong knowledge of international banking principles in the commercial banking market.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and directives related to the financial sector.
• Sound knowledge of macroeconomic and microeconomic environment.
• Ability to lead, influence and drive change initiatives in support of business strategies within the department.
• Strong leadership and skills to foster teamwork; develop and motivate staff, resolve conflicts as well as ability to provide direction, guidance, momentum and vision in order to achieve organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated business acumen - able to create strategy and actions that impact business success.
• Strong communication and presentation skills including ability to develop proposals, concept papers, position papers as well as write reports and prepare relevant publications.
• High level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, including ability to build alliances and collaborative relationships with sensitivity to diversity.
• Strong expertise in project planning and budgeting, resource management, implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation.
• Must be a self-starter, highly organized, and able to work well with people at all levels in the organization.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Analytical and creative thinking skills.
• Strong persuasion and negotiation skills.
• Good customer relationship management skills (internal and external customers)
• Risk awareness and focus - demonstrates understanding of risk management practices, standards and regulatory requirements.
• Effective stakeholder management.

Job location: Nairobi-Kenya

Contact Person: Dhwani Solanki

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