Relationship Officer – Trade Finance

Role Overview

This role sits at the heart of the bank’s trade finance operations, combining product expertise with client-facing sales and structuring work. You will be responsible for delivering the full suite of trade products—letters of credit, guarantees, collections, supply chain finance, and risk distribution—to corporate and business banking clients across local, regional, and global markets. Your efforts directly support the bank’s revenue targets by originating new business, deepening relationships with existing customers, and representing the bank as a credible trade finance partner in the market.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the growth of the trade finance portfolio by creating and executing client acquisition strategies that align with the bank’s broader commercial goals and revenue ambitions.
• Work alongside business development and relationship management teams to prepare credit applications and structure trade transactions that maximise fee and commission income while staying within the bank’s risk appetite.
• Act as the day-to-day contact for customers on all trade-related matters, providing prompt technical advice, resolving queries, and ensuring clients always receive a clear status update or holding response.
• Monitor utilisation of approved credit lines, flagging potential overdrafts or compliance concerns, and supporting periodic portfolio reviews.
• Prepare and deliver performance dashboards and management reports on trade finance growth, portfolio quality, and strategy implementation.
• Build and maintain strong correspondent banking relationships with financial institutions, including securing trade finance limits and facilitating participation in syndicated or structured trade deals across the group’s footprint.
• Identify gaps in the current product set and feed ideas into the new product development pipeline, keeping the bank competitive in areas such as supply chain finance and risk mitigation.
• Represent the bank at industry events, client meetings, and trade forums, and support internal training to raise awareness of trade products and reduce trade-based money laundering risk.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A university degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline from an institution accredited by the relevant education authority.
• At least three years of banking experience, with a minimum of one year specifically in trade finance, including hands-on involvement with guarantees, documentary credits, and structured trade solutions.
• Solid grasp of the regulatory and governance landscape affecting trade finance, including knowledge of ICC rules, international trade instruments, and regional trade practices in East Africa.
• Professional certifications such as CITF, CDCS, or CSDG are strongly preferred and will set candidates apart.
• Proven ability to analyse complex trade transactions, structure deals that meet both client needs and bank risk standards, and negotiate terms that protect the bank’s position.
• A track record of business origination and portfolio growth, with measurable results in acquiring new clients or expanding existing relationships.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders, deliver training, and represent the bank at external functions.
• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information in line with bank policy and applicable regulations.