QNB3696 - Associate – Trade Finance Operations

About QNB Established in 1964 as the country’s first Qatari‑owned commercial bank, QNB Group has steadily grown to become the largest bank in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. QNB Group’s presence through its subsidiaries and associate companies extends to more than 31 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is more than 28,000 serving up to 20 million customers operating through 1,000 locations, with an ATM network of 4,300 machines. QNB has maintained its position as one of the highest rated regional banks from leading credit rating agencies including Standard & Poor’s (A), Moody’s (Aa3) and Fitch (A+). The Bank has also been the recipient of many awards from leading international specialised financial publications. Based on the Group’s consistent strong financial performance and its expanding international presence, QNB currently ranks as the most valuable bank brand in the Middle East and Africa, according to Brand Finance Magazine. QNB Group has an active community support program and sponsors various social, educational and sporting events.

Job Summary The incumbent will work on Trade Operations (Import, Export Letters of Credit, Guarantees and Bills for collection) outline standards to ensure high quality of service to customers on time. The incumbent will be responsible for complying with the International Chamber of Commerce rules and to Bank’s policies and procedures. In addition, the incumbent will process Import and Export Letters of Credit in accordance with international rules and regulations in a way that supports the business units and ensures a good working relationship with the Bank’s clients. To be responsible for ensuring that the trade finance activities are conducted strictly with banking credit line granted to the customer, organising, supervising and directing activities of bills processing, import and export financing, establishment of letter of credit and attends to customer’s inquiries. Also observe all related applications and documents presented by customer are in accordance with the Policy as well as supervise work of all bills staff to ensure all activities of the business unit are carried out in compliance with policies, rules and regulations.

Main Responsibilities

• Shareholder & Financial: Assist in meeting units’ budget, controlling costs and achieving targeted levels of processing volumes. Act within the limits of the powers delegated to the incumbent. Observes and promotes cost consciousness and efficiency, and enhances productivity, to minimise costs, avoid waste, and optimise benefits for the bank.
• Customer (Internal & External): Maintain activities in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with internal departments/units to achieve improvements in turn‑around time, with respect to corporate credit processing. Assist customers in all their queries on Bank’s product and seek solutions to their requests. Maintain activities in accordance with SLAs with internal departments/units to achieve improvements in turn‑around time. Build and maintain strong and effective relationships with all other related departments and units to achieve the Group’s goals/objectives. Provide timely and accurate information to the external and internal Auditors, Compliance, Financial Control and Risk Functions as and when required.
• Internal (Processes, Products, Regulatory): Ensure services of Foreign Trade Operations are delivered in a timely, efficient and cost‑effective manner. Review and check customer’s application and process all completed documents at each applicable stage as well as work on dispatching funding requests to Funding Section, check repayment advice to ensure the transaction of both import and export businesses are processed timely and correctly and comply with both Internal and external (SAFE) policies. Follow up overdue import/export bills and deal with customers to resolve problems relating to discrepancies spotted on import/export bills. Ensure consistency in processes, controls and standards for each of the identified areas of work to eliminate all possible risks to bank and the customers. Support the Corporate Banking Team efforts to provide efficient and prompt services to our customers in order to increase volume of business and income. Liaise with internal and external customers in order to ensure that their needs are met in a timely and accurate manner. Maintain high professional approach and relations with correspondent banks to ensure maximum co‑operation in problem resolution or responses to inquiries. Provide technical advice and consultancy services to customers, help to plan training seminars for the employees of prime customers in order to safeguard our customers against fraud and money laundering transactions. Keep abreast of changes and ensure that International Chamber of Commerce Rules practices in Foreign Trade Operations and QNB Policies and Procedures are strictly adhered. Prepare and submit reports to Senior Management to monitor workflow and income. Conduct record maintenance/filing of signed applications, all supporting documents etc. to be in proper place.
• Learning & Knowledge: Keep abreast of changes in International Chamber of Commerce Rules and local laws and rules affecting Foreign Trade Operations. Proactively identify areas for professional development of self and undertake development activities. Seek out opportunities to remain current with all developments in professional field.
• Legal, Regulatory, and Risk Framework Responsibilities: Comply with all applicable legal, regulatory and internal compliance requirements including, but not limited to, Group Compliance Policies and Procedures (AML & CTF, Sanctions Policy, Data Protection Policy, Fraud Control Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy, Conflict of Interest and Insider Dealing Policy). Understand and effectively perform your role under the Three Lines of Defence principle to identify, monitor, manage and report risks. Ensure systematic good outcomes for clients in accordance with Conduct Risk policy. Support the framework of RCSA, KRI, Incident reporting and remediation, as appropriate, in accordance with the Operational Risk Management requirements. Maintain appropriate knowledge to ensure full qualification to undertake the role. Complete all mandatory training provided by the Bank, attain and maintain the required levels of competence. Attend mandatory (internal and external) seminars as instructed by the Bank.
• Other: Ensure high standards of data protection and confidentiality to safeguard commercially sensitive information. Maintaining utmost confidentiality concerning customer and internal bank information obtained during the course of business and provide such information on a need‑to‑know basis only to Senior Management of QNB, Audit and Compliance functions, and relevant Regulators. Maintain high professional standards to uphold QNB’s reputation and to strengthen its market leadership position. All other ad hoc duties/activities related to QNB that management might request from time to time.

Education And Experience Requirements University graduate preferably with a Major in Banking, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration or Information Technology (related field of study). Minimum 6 years’ experience required in Trade Finance or related field. Technical knowledge of International Chamber of Commerce Rules, relating to Foreign Trade. Excellent oral and written communication skills (including report writing) in English; with Arabic, French or applicable local language highly desirable. Operations (UCP, ISP, URR, Incoterms, URDG and URC, current revisions). Understanding of systems. Good understanding of the type of products and services required and expected by customers. Up‑to‑date knowledge of changing procedures & systems. CSDG (Certificate for Specialists in Demand Guarantees) and CDCS (Certified Documentary Credit Specialist) qualifications would be an asset.