Associate, Client Relations (Anglophone West Africa) at African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)

Vision & Purpose

• The role is supposed to help the Bank to achieve its mission “stimulating a consistent expansion of and diversification of African trade so as to rapidly increase Africa’s share of global trade, while operating as a first class, profit oriented, socially responsible financial institution and a centre of excellence in African trade matters” by developing opportunities for business development in trade projects and export development finance at the regional level.
• Reporting to the Regional Chief Operating Officer, the job holder is responsible for business analytics, the implementation of business plans, client account plans and strategies.
• The Client Relations Department covers clients of all industries/sectors across Africa to provide integrated financial solutions to clients, with products/services including Corporate Finance, Project Finance, Specialized Funding including ECA Finance, Syndications, Trade Finance and other financial advisory across all sectors.
• During the business development process, the client relations associates will work closely with the client managers, product expert teams, execution teams and external professional consultants to deliver viable product/financial solutions to clients.
• The main focus of this position is to proactively engage the Bank’s clients in the Region on an individualized basis to deepen relationships and deliver the Bank’s full product offering.
• The role is responsible for building deep relationships with the Bank’s corporate customers and government officials in the region and providing them with the excellent service they have come to expect.
• Your key aim will be to manage an extensive portfolio of customers, acting as a trusted advisor to each of them. You will also be expected to add to your portfolio, by targeting prospective customers and building strong relationships with them.
• Other responsibilities include managing risk within your portfolio.

Nature & Scope

• The position holder will also be required to identify the Bank’s key/core customers in each region by sector and draw up Account Management Plans for the purpose of maximizing cross selling of the Bank’s products and services

Duties and Responsibilities
Business Development:

• Preliminary review of client’s requests/proposals with specific focus on Oil and Gas Reserve Base Lending, Oil and Gas Contract Finance, Downstream Commodity Trading and Power, Oil and Gas license bids; Asset Finance ( drilling rigs, tankers, tug boats, offshore support vessels) to ensure they meet the Bank’s eligibility criteria, culture and industry trends;
• Assist with review, analysis and sensitivities of supporting Financial Models;
• Assist with collecting information and development of Basic Information Reports;
• Assist with the development of indicative term sheets and Pre-Assessment Memos under the supervision of AWAF Client Relationship Managers and Product teams;
• Assist with development of terms of reference, RfPs for relevant technical, commercial, insurance and environmental due diligence for requested facility under the supervision of Anglophone West Africa Client Relationship Managers and Product teams;
• Assist to build strong relationships with National Oil Companies, International Oil Companies, Independents and Marginal Field Operators, Commodity Traders and Regulators within the Anglophone West Africa;
• Assisting the Anglophone West Africa Client Relationship Managers in creating Marketing and Account plans to address clients’ business needs and increase business development.
• Support the Client Relationship Managers in client meetings, conferences, seminars and developing presentations in conformity with the high standards for which the Bank has become known;
• Ensuring a strong knowledge of the Bank’s products;

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Manage onboarding, KYC initiation/renewal and the account opening processes with the relevant Relationship Managers.
• Work with the Client Relationship Managers in managing the Bank’s CRM platform (Salesforce) as the “Salesforce Champion” to ensure transactions are at the right stages;
• Generate necessary reports on Salesforce for all internal stakeholders to provide them with regular update about their pipeline, disbursements, performance and required action;
• Prepare meeting minutes, Call Reports, Terms of Reference and Back to Office Reports;
• Assist in organizing Roadshows, Workshops, Conferences, Seminars and Trainings;
• Assist with producing relevant reports and support for Business Committee Meetings;
• Work with other team members across the Bank to ensure timely processing of transactions;
• Performing any other duties as may be assigned by Line Manager and Senior Management.

Skills, Knowledge and Attitude

• Bachelor's Degree and Post Graduate Degree in Business, Banking, Accounting, Finance or other relevant field from a recognized University;
• Sound experience of at least 3 years with a leading financial services organization and familiarity with the major trade finance products to be offered to clients especially syndication, co-financing, club deals, correspondent banking products including letters of credit, factoring, forfaiting, structured trade finance, carbon financing, corporate finance risk participations, project-related financing and considerable knowledge of how these work;
• Ability to communicate and function in a culturally diverse and change oriented setting with good knowledge of banking practices in Africa;
• Ability to interact with senior officials of banks, corporates and governments and to represent the Bank in important professional fora where oral presentation of papers will be necessary to high level technical and professional audiences;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of the Bank’s other working languages is an added advantage (French, Arabic and Portuguese);
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including ability to organize and manage human resources to attain goals; and
• Ability to demonstrate proof of passion and commitment to the socio-economic empowerment of African countries and the ability to support the achievement of Afreximbank’s mandate.