Rafiki Microfinance Bank is hiring.
Position: Officer – Trade Finance Operations
Department: Credit
Unit: Credit Administration
Reporting To: Assistant Manager – Trade Finance Operations
Job Summary
To support the efficient processing, controls and monitoring of Trade Finance products, ensuring timely issuance, compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements, revenue optimization and effective risk management, while delivering high-quality service to customers and internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial & Revenue Responsibilities
- Process and administer Trade Finance transactions including performance guarantees, advance payment guarantees, bid bonds, and related instruments in line with approved limits and mandates.
- Ensure accurate fee computation, posting, and reconciliation of Trade Finance income.
- Support achievement of departmental revenue targets through timely execution and minimization of revenue leakages.
- Reconcile Trade Finance-related Gls and outstanding items and resolve variances promptly.
2. Customer & Stakeholder Management
- Ensure fast turnaround times (TAT) for Trade Finance transactions as per service level agreements.
- Act as a liaison between branches, Credit, Legal, and external stakeholders (beneficiaries, procuring entities, correspondents).
- Support resolution of customer complaints relating to Trade Finance products.
3. Internal Process & Operational Excellence
- Ensure all Trade Finance instruments ore issued strictly in line with approved offers, credit policy, and delegated authorities.
- Maintain accurate and complete Trade Finance records, registers, and trackers.
- Monitor expiry, renewals, cancellations, and recalls of guarantees and bonds.
- Participate in continuous process improvement initiatives to reduce operationai risk and processing delays.
4. Risk, Compliance & Control
- Ensure strict adherence to CBK regulations, AML/CFT requirements, sanctions screening, and internal policies.
- Conduct preliminary checks to detect potential fraud, forgery, or irregular requests.
- Support internal and external audits by providing required documentation and explanations.
- Escalate exceptions, breaches, or suspicious transactions promptly.
5. Reporting & Management Information
- Prepare and submit periodic Trade Finance performance reports, including volumes, income, outstanding exposures, expiries, and exceptions.
- Support management with accurate data for decision-making, risk reviews, and regulatory reporting.
- Track performance against Balanced Scorecard targets and recommend corrective actions where gaps exist.
6. Learning, Growth & Collaboration
- Keep abreast of developments in Trade Finance products, regulations, and best practices.
- Support training of branch and business teams on Trade Finance processes and documentation requirements.
- Actively contribute to team knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Turnaround time for Trade Finance transactions
- Accuracy and completeness of issued instruments
- Trade Finance income realization vs target
- Number of operational errors or policy breaches
- Audit and compliance findings
- Customer satisfaction and query resolution timelines
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field
- Minimum 1-2 years’ experience in Credit Operations, or Banking Operations
- Strong understanding of guarantees, bonds, credit risk, and banking controls
Skills & Competencies
- Strong attention to detail and risk awareness
- Good analytical and reconciliation skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- High ethical standards and integrity
