AVP, Trade International Operations

About the Role
This role is primarily responsible for supervising, authorizing transactions, and acting as a point of contact related to the Trade Finance Unit of the respective region (France, Singapore, UK, USA, Bahrain, KSA, Kuwait, and India). The position operates during the respective country time zone from the UAE location, ensuring compliance with all internal procedures, operational controls, and delivering high-quality, timely service to clients. Additionally, the role involves analyzing and addressing process-related risks and developing efficient processes and systems for the Trade Finance function in the company.

Key Accountabilities

Generic Accountability

Team Supervision

• Organize and supervise the work of the assigned team to ensure efficiency consistent with operating procedures and policy.
• Provide on-the-job training and constructive feedback to support team development.
• Promote the organization’s values and ethics to create a value-driven culture within the company.

Budgeting and Financial Performance

• Monitor the financial performance of the activity area against budgets, ensuring alignment with approved guidelines, and report any variances to management promptly.

Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures

• Provide inputs and implement policies, systems, and procedures to fulfill procedural/legislative requirements while delivering quality, cost-effective service.
• Demonstrate compliance with the organization’s values and ethics continually.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes, and practices while considering global standards, productivity improvement, and cost reduction.

Reporting

• Prepare/review sectional statements and reports in a timely and accurate manner to meet department requirements, policies, and quality standards.

Job Specific Accountabilities
The job-holder is responsible for processing/authorizing transactions within a specific product or functional area, ensuring quality and timeliness in a cost-efficient and error-free manner, adhering to high risk management and company’s/Regulator’s Compliance standards.

• Responsible for effectively processing/checking, verifying, and authorizing transactions per the approval matrix, ensuring controlled transaction processing.
• Maintain the highest level of internal and external customer satisfaction standards.
• Minimize operational risks for the company by ensuring compliance with customer/internal instructions during transaction processing.
• Monitor compliance with regulatory guidelines and improve controls to identify/mitigate risks in Trade Finance processes.
• Ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures and recommend/implement changes aligned with industry developments.
• Participate in and advance collaborative efforts to improve tools, technology, and workflows to serve an evolving client base.
• Support preparation and control testing for BIA, RCSA, according to Risk and audit management policy.
• Monitor and reconcile Internal/Income/Suspense accounts as per company policy.
• Develop and introduce robust tools/processes for identifying/mitigating operational risks.
• Support the development and implementation of cost efficiency policies/procedures/practices.
• Assist in maintaining a high/acceptable Employee Satisfaction rate aligned with company Policy.
• Ensure strict adherence to Anti-money laundering, Central Bank guidelines, and internal policies/procedures.
• Stay updated with industry developments and communicate them to team members.
• Proactively highlight non-operational risks such as market and legal risks arising from transactions.
• Prepare statistical data for internal and external relationships.
• Respond to queries and problems from internal customers/counterparts in other banks.
• Handle routine correspondence with customers and other external/internal contacts.
• Maintain a record of zero operational loss.
• Achieve satisfactory ratings in Internal/External Audit, OCS, and OR.
• Undertake measures to improve employee productivity.
• Ensure adherence to Training Man-Days for self and team members.
• Execute departmental initiatives as directed.
• Provide technical guidance to customers when necessary.
• Hold records securely.
• Participate in and implement department-relevant projects and system developments.
• Support Line Manager in developing, coaching, and monitoring staff performance, arranging remedial training when necessary.
• Prepare SOPs as per Audit and RMU requirements for TFU products.
• Perform any other duties/tasks assigned by the Line Manager/Head.
• Target zero complaints, with a minimum of 95% adherence to TAT standards as agreed with the business; achieve over 90% satisfaction in internal customer surveys.
• Maintain NIL unauthorized breaches of policies/regulatory requirements and SOPs.
• Ensure NIL breaches in housekeeping (reconciliations, Tracers, DCFCL, etc.).
• Propose and implement successful Process Improvements (PI).
• Create a positive workplace environment and support employees in achieving their goals.

Responsibilities

Minimum Qualification

• Graduate (preferably in Commerce / Financial Services / Banking & Finance etc.) and CDCS or equivalent certification preferred.

Minimum Experience

• 8-10 years of experience in Trade Finance with at least 3 years in a supervisory role.
• Excellent customer service, relationship, and interpersonal skills; customer-focused.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently under tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to meet challenges, assimilate new information, and influence effectively.
• Working knowledge of ICC Publications, ICC banking commission opinions, and compliance/trade-related rules and regulations.