Trade Finance Operations Specialist

Role Overview

The Trade Finance Operations Specialist will ensure adherence to established departmental policies and procedures to maintain consistency and control in operations. This role involves managing daily trade finance operations including Letters of Guarantee (LGs), Letters of Credit (LCs), export LC handling, document verification, and reporting. The specialist will work closely with other banking teams to ensure regulatory compliance and efficient service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute daily work consistent with internal policies, procedures, and standard operating guidelines.
• Review and approve various types of Letters of Guarantee complying with relevant regulations and internal limits.
• Verify client credit limits and conditions to ensure LG and LC applications conform to stipulated standards.
• Escalate LG applications exceeding authorized limits according to organizational authority matrices for approval.
• Process Letters of Credit for corporate clients, ensuring timely and accurate transaction handling.
• Manage export LC receipts from correspondent banks, verify conformity, and coordinate with relationship managers for customer communication.
• Examine documents received from remitting banks for completeness and accuracy to facilitate seamless transaction processing.
• Input and maintain document data in the system for accessibility and record keeping.
• Identify and report potential operational breaches, supporting corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Implement and monitor internal controls to sustain quality processing and high service delivery standards.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance process efficiency, lower costs, and align with international best practices.
• Assist in preparing accurate and timely reports in compliance with departmental and organizational standards.
• Adhere to safety, quality, and environmental management policies to uphold a safe workplace environment.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, preferably with a focus on Finance or Accounting.
• Between 4 to 6 years of pertinent experience within the banking industry.
• Advanced proficiency in English language communication.

Required Skills

• Comprehensive understanding of trade finance products and associated local and international regulations.
• Capability to effectively execute designated operational tasks.
• Proven track record of meeting assigned objectives.
• Updated knowledge of issues and trends in trade finance.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent communication skills enabling clear and effective interaction to achieve desired outcomes.
• Digital literacy, proficient in utilizing technology to innovate, communicate and resolve problems efficiently.
• Strong service orientation with the ability to anticipate and respond proactively to customer needs.
• Risk management aptitude to identify and mitigate risks affecting the organization and stakeholders.
• Competence in stakeholder engagement to build consensus and manage expectations.
• Leadership skills to evaluate and enhance team performance through guidance, motivation, and development.