Job description

Job Purpose Summary:

The incumbent will be responsible for assisting the management of the process of credit approval on individual credit facility proposals for Corporate and Retail customers (only those retail proposals that fall outside applicable policy parameters), forwarded to them by the appropriate departments/ units. The incumbent will assess the quality of the credit exposure sought to be undertaken and adherence to established policies and procedures. The incumbent will constantly research and seek to apply best practices in credit risk, in accordance with Basel II and other relevant guidelines.

A.Shareholder & Financial:

-Perform activities within the assigned Credit Risk Strategy that reflects the Group’s tolerance for risk and the level of profitability the Group expects to achieve for incurring various credit risks.

-Ensure the use of a standardized process for evaluating credit proposals ensuring that all approved credits are within QNB’s Credit Risk Strategy.

-Assist the SVP of Risk in creating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the department and monitor their achievement on periodic basis

-Act within the limits of the powers delegated to the incumbent and delegate authority to the respective staff and monitor same.

-Implements KPI’s and best practices for role

-Promote cost consciousness and efficiency and enhance productivity, to minimise cost, avoid waste, and optimise benefits for the bank.

-Demonstrate clear understanding of the important factors behind the bank's financial & non-financial performance.

B.Customer (Internal & External):

-Coordinate with Compliance Group to ensure an appropriate response to obtain updates on regulations pertaining to credit risk review that are promulgated by the Central Bank, if any.

-Build and maintain strong and effective relationship with the all other related departments and units to achieve the Group’s goals/ objectives.

-Provide timely and accurate information to the external and internal auditors and the Compliance function as and when required.

-Assist the SVP of Risk in the development/ finalization of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between the respective overseas operations and Head Office units/ departments as and when needed, to the extent they relate to the business functions.

-Ensure adherence to the Turn around Times (TAT) specified in the SLAs.

-To assist customers in all their queries on Bank’s product and seek solution to their requests.

-Maintain activities in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with internal departments/units to achieve improvements in turn-around time.

C.Internal (Processes, Products, Regulatory):

-Perform credit assessments, and provide credit approvals within the authority delegated to the incumbent.

-Ensure compliance with established/ approved credit risk policies and procedures and ensure that a sound environment for identifying, measuring, monitoring and controlling credit risk is in place.

-Check coordination with business unit Relationship Managers for the timely receipt of customer documents/ other information required to evaluate the credit worthiness of the proposed borrowers.

-Supervise the assessment of the credit proposals is adequate and analyses the various credit risk facets to measure a final credit risk rating including (but not limited to) an assessment of the requested facility and guarantees provided, client management and background, industry analysis, country analysis, external agency credit rating (if applicable), financial and cash flow analysis and the risk rating from the credit risk rating tool in use.

-Based on the assessment, recommend extending or declining the facility request or asking for additional security/ further structuring of the deal/ facility to safeguard the Group’s interests.

-Ensure that all credit approvals meet overall policy guidelines and QCB regulations and to stipulate terms and conditions to mitigate the credit risk borne/ faced by the Group.

-Work towards improving overall Group credit portfolio by instilling credit risk best practices.

-Address/ facilitate correction of any weaknesses identified during assessments, audits, or examinations.

-Coordinate activities with business units to ensure the timely processing of customer credit requests within established TATs.

-Continuous Improvement:

-Set examples by leading improvement initiatives through cross-functional teams ensuring successes.

-Identify and encourage people to adopt practices better than the industry standard.

-Continuously encourage and recognise the importance of thinking out-of-the-box within the team.

-Encourage, solicit and reward innovative ideas even in day-to-day issues.

D.Learning & Knowledge:

-Possess an understanding of business processes and controls in all related credit/ operational areas.

-Maintain an understanding of all pertinent regulations as well as best practices pertaining to the overall credit operations.

-Support in risk management training across all business areas within the Group.

-Proactively identify areas for professional development of self and undertake development activities.

-Seek out opportunities to remain current with all developments in professional field.

-Hold meetings with staff and assess their performance and your teams overall performance on a regular basis.

-Take decisive action to ensure speedy resolution of unresolved grievances or conflicts within the team members.

-Identify development opportunities and activities for staff and facilitate/coach them to improve their effectives and prepare them to assume greater responsibilities.

E.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 measure, 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.

F.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.

-University graduate (Bachelor’s degree) preferably with a Major in Finance, Banking, Economics, Mathematics, or Business Administration (related field of study), Masters preferred.

-Professional certification such as PRM, CPA, CFA is preferred.

-Sound typically a Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a major bank of which at least 2 years in bank in a supervisory capacity in risk function.

-Excellent oral and numerical and written communication skills in English and Arabic (preferred).

-Knowledge of Basel II Accord, with particular emphasis on credit-related issues and credit modelling methodologies.

-Excellent quantitative modelling, analytical, and research skills.

-Experience in working with large and complex data sets. Knowledge of financial markets and products.

-Proficiency in risk concepts, banking products/ operations/ systems, pertinent regulatory requirements, International Accounting Standards and related pronouncements.

-In-depth understanding of credit risk methodologies (KMV, Credit / Metrics, etc.), interest rate modelling [short rate models, HJM, BGM, etc.], VAR, and/or other complex financial risk modelling highly desirable.

-Adequate knowledge of IT systems/ applications.

-Self-motivated, eye for detail with ability to work with others and lead teams from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Preferred candidate

Years of experience

8+ years

Degree

Bachelor's degree / higher diploma