Country Risk Analyst at Rand Merchant Bank

Job Description

To review the risks associated with the different jurisdictions in which the organisation operates, or plans to operate, and communicate findings, insights and deep understanding to stakeholders.

To translate the economic, political, and operational risks in the respective portfolio of assigned countries/sovereigns and calculate and recommend Sovereign ratings and LGDs (Loss Given Default) to Credit Committee.

To enable, and where appropriate, lead country limits that are proposed by business for the allocated portfolio countries at the mandated approval committee.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain professional working relationships with all stakeholders displaying excellent abilities to initiate dialogue, listen, advise, influence, and negotiate to achieve win-win outcomes.
• Understand what key stakeholders are looking for and customise reporting and presentations accordingly
• Provide recommendations and insights gleaned from robust analyses.
• Liaise with various stakeholders to clearly define the research objective and any questions that need to be asked, recommending the type of data required for analysis.
• Contact the relevant stakeholders to source required information and documentation.
• Ensure that conventional and unconventional (where required) research protocols are followed by the team to gather and sift the necessary information.
• Visit the relevant country, having set up meetings with key individual and bodies.
• Assign a Probability of Default and Loss Given Default to these sovereigns by using internal models and methodologies.
• Monitor and report key developments in these countries to stakeholders, and present relevant information to key stakeholders in the form of a written report and verbal presentation.
• Lead meetings with key stakeholders to track progress manage expectations and ensure stakeholders requirements are delivered.
• Anticipate consequences and adapt problem solving based on continual feedback.
• Act speedily to resolve problems queries and challenges
• Recommend business processes (and relevant improvements required) according to quality standards; policy; and compliance and governance requirements in area of accountability.
• Stay relevant and up to date with legislations and new developments.
• Plan and manage own workflow anticipating obstacles juggling priorities and following through on objectives within agreed time frames and according to quality standards.
• Build and sustain collaborative working relationships with relevant peers and stakeholders to achieve productivity synergies.
• Participate in specialist communities of practice and contribute positively to own and organizational knowledge improvement.
• Being able to speak, read or converse in French will be a valuable attribute.

Qualifications and experience

• Formal degree in Economics or Econometrics with at least 3 years’ experience in a related African research or Country Risk role.