Head of Reconciliations (EBKL) at Equity Bank Kenya

Job Purpose 

The Role holder is responsible for the Bank’s Settlements & Reconciliations Processes and shall develop and recommend strategies for best Settlements & Reconciliations processes. In liaison with other bank units, business leaders, and business partners, the role holder shall provide leadership for developing and executing a sustainable and appropriate reconciliations & Settlements strategy.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES 

In Charge of Settlements process

• Ensure that all transactions for Cards, Mobile money, international money transfers, agency, and group ATMS are settled and reconciled within the SLA and TAT.
• Ensure closure of all audit and compliance open issues and filing of departmental monthly returns to finance and controls teams within the SLA.
• Driving processes automations for Settlements and reconciliation units and the group.
• Continuous monitoring of open items in General ledgers reconciliations and ensuring timely closure.
• Batch proofing of all files processed by Group processing unit.
• Continuous monitoring of systems gaps related to channel transactions and engaging management and technical teams for closure.
• Liaison between bank and partners in relation to transactions flow (Safaricom KPLC, AIRTEL KENYA).
• Continuous monitoring department staff’s performance and productivity as per the departmental score card.
• Continuous designing a comprehensive Settlements & Reconciliations process that ensure payments & reconciliations are done accurately, approved, and settled in a timely manner as per the agreed timeliness with partners and card associations.
• Design a comprehensive Settlements & Reconciliations units Key Performance Indicators for the staffs. 
• Departmental staff’s development through coaching and mentoring.
• Effectively manage internal audit process, external audits and ensure all Audit Issues are closed as per agreed timelines.
• Ensure staff are appraised and adhere to the Data Protection Act (DPA) requirements applicable to the unit.
• Review and maintain an updated Business Continuity Program for the unit and complete regular testing of the business continuity plans (BCPs). 

Risk, Compliance controls and Customer experience

• Accountable for risk mitigation within Settlements & Reconciliations unit by keeping abreast with the regulatory and partner requirements on card business.
• Co-ordinate and manage new product initiatives to ensure adherence to Policies, procedures, Mandatory requirements for partners, and customer experience standards.
• Define and remain accountable for Settlements & reconciliations dispute management processes.
• Digitize majority of Settlements & reconciliations processes to meet the Bank wide digital agenda.
• Maintain the Business Continuity Plan as it relates to Settlements & reconciliations processes, to include documentation, testing planning and compliance. Assure that recovery site(s) are in appropriate state of readiness to accommodate processing when relocation is required, or work with outsourced service providers to assure their plans are tested and viable.
• Responsible for Settlements & reconciliations SLAs through definition and continuous monitoring of service commitments both internally and externally.
• Implement Settlements & Reconciliations Service Level Agreement (SLA) / Turn-Around Time (TAT) Maintain an up-to-date risk register, conduct Key Control Self-Assessments (KCSA).

People Management

• Provide leadership, motivation, and development to Settlements & reconciliations staffs.
• Foster a positive and engaging work environment for each team member by promoting skill development, coaching for improvement and growth while inspiring others thus nurturing positive employee morale and embracing our mission, vision, and core values.
• Drive competency development through continuous learning, certifications, role-based learning, and job enrichment to drive high performance.
• Implement recruitment, learning and performance management strategies, as well as cultural practices that attract, nurture, and retain the best talent within Settlements & Reconciliations Unit.

Qualifications

Education and Experience 

• Holder of a Business-related bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university. 
• Master’s degree/additional professional qualification an added advantage.
• At least 5 years’ experience in Settlements & Reconciliations operations- 3 of which must be in leadership position.
• Certification and/or Training from Major Card Schemes (Visa, MC & AMEX)

Key competencies and skills 

• Have a strong control, process, and risk management mindset.
• Innovative and pro-active
• Strong negotiation skills
• Excellent leadership skills, communication skills, analytical, problem solving and interpersonal skills.
•  Result oriented and business focused to develop and implement project/product proposals and ability to work under pressure.
• Knowledge of emerging market trends on Telco’s business, card business, payments industry and related channels.
• Product portfolio analysis and financial management analysis skills.