Assistant Manager - Syndication & Risk Distribution

About Afreximbank African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade.

For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries to effectively participate in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank’s total assets and guarantees stood at over US$37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. The Bank disbursed more than US$104 billion between 2016 and 2023. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure, (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

Job Purpose
The job holder’s main responsibility will be to support the Head A-TREX and the Director Syndications & Risk Distribution in operationalizing and growing a dedicated unit responsible for the distribution of short-term trade assets. The trade distribution function is a dedicated unit within the Syndication & Risk Distribution department. The unit will work closely with Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking, Trade Services, Guarantees & Specialized Finance, as well Credit, Finance, Client Relation and Compliance in performing its functions. Furthermore, the job holder will manage the relationship and business interactions with a divers number of distribution partners comprising banks, development finance institutions, funds, private and institutional insurers, etc. active in short-term trade finance in Africa.

The goal is to develop and establish a market for short-term trade finance products with a view to achieving greatly increased buy- and sell-side trade-risk distribution volumes; a wider universe of accepted and mutually connected trade finance players for Africa; enhanced visibility of market-wide pricing data providing for comparative risk references thereby fostering competitive market dynamics ultimately bringing down the cost of trade in Africa; and a standardized modus and enhanced ease of transacting ultimately culminating in migration to full platform-based automation of trade distribution.

Key Responsibilities:

Main Responsibilities

Support the Head of A-TREX to:

• Enhance the Bank’s capacity to provide short term trade finance solutions and support the growth in the business in line with Afreximbank’s business strategy through pro-active buy- and sell-side distribution;
• Coordinate with the departments Syndication & Risk Distribution, Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking, Trade Services, the Client Coverage teams, and other business units to acquire new trade distribution partners / clients with a view to matching Afreximbank credit appetite with a acceptable credit risk levels;
• Manage the distribution and the utilization of the existing trade portfolio (letter of credit confirmation, avalized draft, guarantee irrevocable reimbursement undertaking, forfaiting, trade loan) and drive the growth in business;
• Acquire and manage wide pool of external distribution partners comprising commercial banks, development finance institutions, funds, private and institutional insurers, etc. Activities include onboarding (KYC/CDD), limit setting, concluding MRPAs / RPAs, monitoring appetite, negotiating pricing, and conducting buy and sell-side distribution.
• Optimize sell-side and buy-side activity within approved limits in line with Afreximbank’s trade finance business strategy with a view to achieving trade asset and revenue targets.
• Develop digital solutions for trade risk distribution to both bank and insurance market partners;
• In line with the above, liaise with the Trade Finance, the Banking Operations department and Trade Services team to ensure that the distribution (buy- or sell-side) is done within the required timelines and that the portfolio is managed according to the terms of the agreement and to the client’s satisfaction, until expiry of the same;
• Structuring transactions, developing and negotiating term sheets to execution, including preparation of Green Light Memo or Credit Paper;
• Supporting the credit department with information to facilitate the credit process and the legal department in the facilitation of transaction documentation to set up risk participation limit;
• Provide and share market & product updates with client coverage teams and other internal stakeholders;
• Generate internal management reports by conducting research, collecting in-house data, and designing the format and presentation of the reports;
• Arrange and record the details of all external and internal trade distribution meetings;
• Conduct business / industry research which will help Head of A-TREX to formulate the relevant business strategy;
• Participate in the preparation of annual business development plans, covering all aspects of trade risk distribution and international trade finance;
• Design schemes and roadshows for establishing market presence with emphasis on broadening the geographic scope of the Bank’s activities;
• Follow-up on clients reclamations/requests;
• Any other duties as may be assigned by senior management.

Compliance Responsibilities

• Understand and adhere to the Bank's AML, Regulatory and Conduct Compliance policies and procedures, notably.
• Staff Handbook (has code of conduct provisions)
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter Financing of Terrorism and Counter Proliferation Financing
• Conflicts of Interest and Policies on Staff Involvement in External Engagements/Activities
• Anti-Bribery & Corruption
• Insider Trading Guidelines
• Report any suspicious or non-compliant activities or matters relating to the Bank’s staff or the customers to the Compliance Department.
• Complete the Annual Compliance Training/Assessment.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• First and post graduate degrees in business administration, banking or finance from a recognized University; a professional qualification in banking or international trade finance will be an advantage (ICC, BAFT etc.)

Years & Nature of Experience

• Sound experience of at least 5 years with a leading organization active in trade finance;
• Familiarity with the major short-term trade finance products to be offered to clients, especially correspondent banking products including letters of credit, irrevocable reimbursement undertaking, avalized draft, trade loan, trade guarantees, forfaiting, factoring, etc. and considerable knowledge of how these work;
• Knowledge and experience of the finance and process documents used in short-term trade finance and trade asset distribution (MRPA/RPA, IRUs, insurance, guarantees, etc).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French. Knowledge of the Bank's other working languages is an added advantage (Arabic and Portuguese).

Technical Competencies

Proficiency

• Professional in training with relevant professional/ technical qualification in their field and have additional in-depth relevant work experience.
• Is comfortable with managing or supervising people and assisting in the management of projects within their remit.
• As part of their role may communicate directly with clients.
• May have responsibility to support with handling complex information or make decisions that impact the tasks and activities of others

Leadership Skills

• Comfortable supervising and overseeing junior members of staff where required to support the delivery of projects within their remit.
• The ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with others to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to articulate their vision and expectations clearly to their team and supports in preparing and delivering training programmes to junior members of staff.

Interpersonal Skills

• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with peers, related teams, and external counterparts to support project outcomes.
• May directly input into decisions at functional level drawing from professional experience.
• Identifies tasks, shares relevant knowledge and provides direction to foster growth and development of team members.

Problem Solving & Business Impact

• Solves non-routine problems based on the analysis of multiple data sources, identification of trends and range of technical knowledge gained from more extensive experience.
• Supports business impact at a function-level by contributing to initiatives that support functional proficiency and (in some cases) wider business’ growth and competitive advantage.

Supporting Afreximbank Mandate

• Has a good understanding of Afreximbank Group’s products and services and how own area fits within the wider function to achieve Afreximbank’s values and mission.
• Understands the political, economic and trade landscape in which Afreximbank Group operates and is able to hold conversations internally and with external counterparts.
• Proactively keeps abreast of historical and current affairs and developments on the continent and the African diaspora, and shares information with more junior colleagues.

Behavioural Competencies

Afreximbank’s Core Values:

• Commitment to Africa and supporting the emancipation and empowerment of Africans
• Uncompromising integrity
• Passion for Learning and Drive
• Teamwork
• Trust and Respect for the Individual
• Innovation, Excellence and Flexibility
• Professionalism and Responsiveness

Key Interactions

Internal

• Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking
• Client Relations
• Risk Management
• Credit Assessment
• Banking Operations
• Compliance

External

• External distribution partners comprising:
• Commercial banks
• Development finance institutions
• Funds
• Private and institutional insurers, etc.