Equity Bank Jobs : Deadline : 23 August 2014

Equity Bank is one of the region’s leading banks whose purpose is to transform the lives and livelihoods of the people of Africa socially and economically by availing them modern, inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities. With a strong footprint in Kenya, Uganda and Southern Sudan, Equity Bank is now home to more than 7.3 million customers, the largest customer base in the Eastern African Region.

The Bank scouts for talented, creative and innovative team players who are excited by the opportunity of pushing the frontiers of the ever evolving microfinance industry, growing our services, delighting our customers and contributing to our community.

Head- Islamic Banking

Job Purpose

To provide strategic leadership and Market positioning of Islamic Banking  in enabling the team to operationally deliver on strategy and key performance priorities within the segment which supports overall Corporate and Retail Markets strategic objectives by taking full responsibility for the strategy, profit and loss, operations and growth within the area

Key Responsibilities – KPI’s

• To develop, launch and manage the entire Islamic Assets and Liability Products for all corporate, SME and Retail banking segments developed around Market needs, customer perceptions and banks requirements.
• Reconfigure resources based on an assessment of resource gaps in the Bank and market opportunities
• Focus on value creation through the identification of customer opportunities with a high operating income to the bank and the anticipation of customer inflows and outflows
• Recommend findings by the executive team, review and plan the redefinition of the business architecture and resource requirements
• Review opportunities for investment and disinvestment of resources and make capital allocation decisions within mandate
• Direct the executive team to define the policies, framework and rules of engagement required in the function
• Influence other Group Support Functions that define group wide frameworks
• Assisting training department in conducting product training to all channels
• Partner with key departments i.e., Operations, , Marketing, communications, R&D, Risk , compliance, I.T, HR and legal teams in continuously reviewing the process
• Coordinate and improve service delivery for the business unit and ensure maximum utilisation of shared services
• Establish industry relationships to help leverage Islamic Banking positioning within  and the Market
• Develop strategic initiatives for Islamic Banking as agreed with the COO / Executive Management
• Communicate the strategic initiatives for the BU as developed in conjunction with Retail Markets Regional and Executive Heads and other stakeholders within the Cluster and the Group
• Oversee the monitoring of the effectiveness and implementation of strategic initiatives to ensure delivery thereof and implement any corrective measures as and when required
• Ensure the allocation of resources across the business to ensure that strategic and tactical plans are enabled at all times and provide direct reports with the guidance and coaching support
• Continuously evaluate the external environment and assess the impact on the BU's activities
• Discuss any changes that may result in an overall strategic impact with the Executive of the provinces
• Lead, direct and support the decisions with regards to the BU’s product development initiatives and distribution
• Review balanced scorecard criteria and assign accountability in the team to measure performance of the business
• Review exceptions identified in the scorecard
• Develop corrective actions to bring performance back in line with expectations.
• Perform people management functions, including but not limited to workforce and recruitment, demand planning , talent management, reward, recognition etc
• Review and update the departments organisation structure and role profiles regularly
• Ensure that Code of Good Practice targets are met for the team
• Ensure satisfactory service delivery and equal distribution of workloads in the teams
• Manage cost within approved budget
• Ensure compliance to the Bank policies, legislation and regulations and that staff compliance training and attestations are in place

Desired Skills and Experience

Preferred Requirements

• Minimum Graduate / Degree Shariah Law / Certification in Islamic Banking from recognized Institute.
• A Masters or an MBA degree will be of additional advantage
• Minimum 15 years  experience in Banking  
• Minimum 3 years prior experience in an Islamic Bank/Shari’ah compliance at a senior position
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and the Internet
• No criminal record

Knowledge

• Strategic Management
• Extensive knowledge of Islamic Financing Structures and concepts
• Islamic Regulatory Framework of the country /Region/Environment
• Experience in product development and marketing
• Sales

 Skills and Competencies

• Excellent leadership skills
• Strong self motivation, and drive
• Working with people
• Deciding and initiating action
• Relating and networking
• Presenting and communicating information
• Analysing
• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations
• Planning and organising
• Adapting and responding to change

Legal Officer- Islamic Banking

Job Purpose:  Reporting to the General Manager, Legal Services,  the successful candidate will work within the  Bank’s Legal Department and report to the General Manager-Legal Services with a dotted line to the Head of Islamic Banking.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviewing and vetting demand letters, statutory notices, pleadings, affidavits and other relevant litigation documents.
• Work closely with the Sharia board, sharia board advisor and Head of Islamic business from time to time.
• Drafting and reviewing templates, standard forms, service level agreements, contracts, security documents and other relevant documents.
• Liaising with the Bank’s Legal service providers and ensuring external legal activities are coordinated effectively.
• Undertaking legal research and writing legal opinions on legal matters affecting the operations Bank.
• Reviewing legislation.
• Prepare presentations, monthly and other Ad hoc Data reports which will be used by various departments within the bank.
• Assisting the General Manager of legal services with other assigned duties

Desired Skills and Experience

• At least an O-Level pass of C+
• Undergraduate degree in law.
• Should have at least 1 – 2 years’ experience in the banking industry.
• Knowledge of Sharia Accounting Principles & IFRS standards
• Knowledge of the structure of Islamic financing contracts, understanding of Sharia banking operations, procedures and processes.
• Advanced IT skills in Microsoft Office - Excel, Sql, Access and PowerPoint

Desired Competencies

• Excellent communication (Oral and written) and excellent presentation skills.
• Excellent presentation and analytical skills.
• Ability to work with speed, accuracy and attentive to detail
• Team player
• Strong planning and organization

Treasury Manager- Islamic Banking

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Director- Treasury, the role holder will be tasked with controlling and coordinating   the bank’s foreign currencies exposure  positions created by the sales and purchase to and from customers, branches, departments, divisions, banks, etc and prudently manage the resulting market risk positions profitably and within the agreed guidelines and/or limit. He / She will perform comprehensive market analysis of the foreign exchange movements and position the bank appropriately with a view of making profit for the bank.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the continuous supervision of processing and execution of all FX and money market deals executed.
• Provide professional treasury sales services to the bank’s existing and potential customers
• Ensure the daily corporate FX income targets are met through coordinated interbank, corporate & retail dealings
• Oversee appropriate and timely funding and management of the Central Bank clearing accounts, intra-day liquidity, and domestic foreign currency and nostro accounts.
• Scan the markets for opportunities, projection and review recommendations based on thorough research and analysis
• Responsible for executing trading strategies to support the Treasury department meet its set targets.
• Ensure that daily transactions and activities conform to the set departmental goals and objectives.
• Keep abreast of the market movements, and accordingly report findings to the Senior Manager Treasury.
• Managing the bank investments pertaining to Bank placements.
• Ensure formulated, documented and implemented risk management policies and best practices are adhered to.
• Develop and implement systems as well as streamline processes within treasury and cash management to support growing complexity and scale of the business.
• Manage risks associated with corporate dealings by ensuring that all deals are executed in accordance with the laid down procedures.

Desired Skills and Experience

• At least an O-Level pass of C+
• Graduate with a business related degree.
• Treasury and banking background will be an added advantage
• Good understanding of  principles and practice of Foreign Exchange markets  & Foreign Exchange products, Money Markets & Money Market Products
• Knowledge and appreciation of risk management
• Above- average Sharia treasury products knowledge and treasury market practices
• Superior knowledge of CBK banking and treasury regulations

Desired Competencies

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication
• Team player and leader
• Trustworthy
• Should be able to handle pressure and stress of the market volatility during trading
• Excellent analysis and negotiation skills
• Computer literacy and keenness to detail
• Mathematically inclined

Sharia Compliance Advisor

Job Purpose: Reporting to the Head of Islamic Banking, with a direct dotted line to the Sharia board, the role holder will be tasked with reviewing the operations of the Islamic finance environment for Shariah compliance and ensuring that all the products and services offered within the bank conform to Shariah rules and principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and promote Sharia compliance culture
• Develop, review and update Sharia policies to govern the bank’s Islamic Banking arm.
• Implement a structured compliance monitoring process.
• Offer Secretarial services to the Sharia board
• Report on Sharia compliance levels within the bank to the Sharia board.
• Record & promulgate Sharia rulings generated from sharia board members resolutions.
• Conduct periodic Sharia audits to ensure that all the products and Services, operations and documentation of the bank are sharia compliant.
• Synergize with business teams in developing new products and services.
• Prepare relevant Sharia training programs and Conduct periodic training sessions for staff

Desired Skills and Experience

• At least an O-Level pass of C+
• Bachelor’s degree in Sharia, Law, or Islamic Finance with exposure and knowledge in Islamic Finance, or, Bachelor’s in Business Admin with course(s) in Islamic Finance.
• Should have at least 3 years’ experience in Sharia compliance, audit, or training function in an Islamic finance institution or window.
• Prior experience in reporting to a Sharia board will be an added advantage.

Desired Competencies

• Team player and solution oriented. 
• Possess excellent project management skills
• Excellent communication skills in both written and oral. 
• Should be able to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Self-motivated, initiative, and dynamic.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suites

Manager, Islamic Products

Job Purpose: Reporting to the General Manager, Marketing & Products with a dotted line to Head of Islamic Banking, the role holder will be in-charge of managing products under Sharia Banking by guiding a team charged with a product line contribution as a business unit. He/she will be expected to increase profitability of both existing & new products. In addition, planning, developing and direct marketing efforts for particular brands or products, management of their profit and loss plus determination of their business strategy. 

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the product Life cycle
• Specifying market requirements for current and future products to increase profitability
• Driving a solution set across development teams through market requirements, product contract and positioning.
• Developing and implementing a company-wide go-to-market plan, working with all stakeholders.
• Creating potential partner relationships for products.
• Developing product strategies and policies considering product life cycle and product differentiation.
• Creating and applying new ideas to promote products that suits the company and fits the business model.
• Developing and executing product marketing plans.
• Promoting the Bank's brand.

Desired Skills and Experience

• At least an O-Level pass of C+
• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Commerce, Marketing, Social Sciences from a recognized university
• At least 5 years’ experience in marketing or product management, 2 of which must have been in the banking industry.
• Holders of professional banking and/or marketing qualifications will have an added advantage
• Good understanding of the operations of Sharia Banking

Desired Competencies

• Goal and results oriented
• Strong management skills including business planning, employee and partner relations
• Outstanding problem solving skills with focus on process improvement
• Highly organized and excellent time manager
• Meticulous, keen to detail and works well under pressure
• Ability to multi task, work independently, and collaborate effectively with a team
• Strong leadership and communications skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• World class customer service skills
• Posses excellent training skills

Financial Reporter, Islamic Banking

Job Purpose: Reporting to the General Manager, Finance and with a dotted line to Head of Islamic Banking, the role holder will be entrusted with analyzing the monthly financial performance of Islamic Banking Divisions comparing actual month-to-date and year-to-date performance against budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze monthly financial performance of Islamic Banking Divisions comparing actual month-to-date and year-to-date performance against budget.
• To report accurate income determination
• Preparation of monthly management reports
• To comply with the Shariah (Islamic principles)
• Ensure that the reports are prepared in timely manner within the deadlines set for each reports.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance with the relevant internal and statutory guidelines.
• To prepare & console financial budget package for management
• Involvement in new initiatives I facilitate implementation of new guidelines related to financial matters.
• Liaise with and assist internal and external auditors in the periodical audit of financial reports.

Desired Skills and Experience

• At least an O-Level pass of C+
• Graduate from a reputable university.
• Should have at least 6 years of banking experience, 3yrs of which should have been in an Islamic Banking environment.
• Work experience in Finance
•  Minimum of 3 years' experience in Islamic financial reporting at an established financial services institution.
• In depth knowledge of Islamic banking regulatory guidelines and financial accounting standards.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
  
  
• Able to work independently, with minimum supervision and demonstrate a high level of maturity
• Strong leadership  and communication skills
• Team player
• Good planning and organization skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suites; Word, Excel, Power point, Visio and Project.
• Ability to work under pressure and within set deadlines

If you meet the above requirements, please submit your application together with a detailed Curriculum Vitae quoting the job you are applying for to jobs@equitybank.co.ke by 23 August 2014.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Equity Bank is an equal opportunity employer.

We value the diversity of individuals, ideas, perspectives, insights, values and what they bring to the workplace.