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Job Profile:
The Head of Sovereign Trade Finance will lead the newly established Sovereign Trade Finance Function, focusing on sovereign-guaranteed trade finance operations, including import-export financing, structured commodity finance, and risk-sharing arrangements. The role requires developing and maintaining strong relationships with clients and partners, business origination and transaction preparation, oversight during implementation, managing teams, and innovation.
The Head of Sovereign Trade Finance Function will lead a team of professionals who contribute to, and eventually take ownership of, implementing selected and innovative sovereign-guaranteed trade finance operations across various regions. The role includes direct contributions to internal and external dialogue, and support related to policy and institutional frameworks. Additionally, the Head of Sovereign Trade Finance Function plays an active role in contributing to knowledge sharing activities across the Fund.
This role is pivotal in advancing the OPEC Fund’s commitment to fostering economic growth and development through enhanced trade finance solutions. The Head of Sovereign Trade Finance is instrumental in shaping the Fund’s trade finance agenda and expanding its impact across partner countries.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the origination, design, execution and implementation of sovereign-guaranteed trade finance operations strategy and business plan within the Public Sector Operations department, in alignment with the OPEC Fund’s mission to support socioeconomic development.
- Oversee the design and execution of sovereign-guaranteed trade finance operations, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of clients and market dynamics.
- Align sovereign-guaranteed trade finance operations with the Fund’s current and future action plans.
- Contribute to policy discussions and institutional arrangements that support trade finance initiatives.
Country and Client Relationship Management
- Manage relationships with eligible counties, coordinating and undertaking high-level visits and meetings
- Coordinate with the relevant departments on the developing of Country Partnership Strategies (CPSs) and Framework Agreements (FAs) to guide trade solutions
- Market trade finance instruments to sector players in eligible countries
- Keep abreast of the latest economic, political, social, and regulatory developments affecting the business environment in eligible countries
- Develop annual plans and engage in high-level negotiations with key countries/clients
Partnership Development
- Establish and maintain relationships with government counterparts, development finance institutions, commercial banks, and other relevant strategic partners.
- Collaborate with partners to develop co-financing and risk-sharing arrangements.
- Represent the OPEC Fund in international forums and conferences to promote its trade finance initiatives and ensure the Fund’s visibility as a strategic partner in international development.
Business Origination and Pipeline Management
- Lead the origination of sovereign-guaranteed trade finance operations, including import-export financing, structured commodity finance, supply chain support, and risk-sharing programs
- Lead the development of a pipeline and oversee the development of concept proposals for potential sovereign-guaranteed trade finance operations, and monitor progress against operational plan targets
- Promote trade finance products through marketing missions and networking
Deal Structuring, Approval Processing, and Implementation
- Oversee the due diligence process and the development of credit memoranda (CM) for operations and coordinate with the relevant departments, where applicable, to obtain required inputs for a comprehensive CM to be submitted to the relevant committees for approval
- Ensure deals are structured in compliance with OPEC Fund’s policies, rules and guidelines
- Coordinate with relevant departments for successful implementation and timely disbursement of approved operations
Operational Portfolio Management and Follow-up
- Ensure compliance with internal policies, international standards, and regulatory requirements across all trade finance activities
- Oversee the sovereign-guaranteed trade finance operations portfolio
- Support regular client calls and close monitoring to ensure timely repayment and resolve past due in coordination with relevant departments
- Ensure high customer satisfaction by providing good relationship management throughout the deal cycle (i.e., before, during, and after the operation approval)
Integrated Trade Solutions and Cross-Selling
- Promote integrated trade solutions and cross-sell OPEC Fund’s products in various markets
- Identify opportunities for trade development solutions.
- Advise business partners on OPEC Fund’s trade finance designed for trade promotion and facilitation.
Team Leadership
- Lead and mentor a team of trade finance professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
- Oversee talent development, performance management, and capacity building within the team.
- Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration across departments to enhance operational efficiency.
Innovation and Digitalization
- Promote the adoption of digital tools and platforms to improve efficiency and transparency in trade finance operations.
- Drive process improvements and support the digitization of workflows, monitoring, and risk management systems to ensure the Fund remains at the forefront of innovation.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Master’s degree in Economics, Finance or a (closely) related field.
- A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, including at least seven (7) years of progressive experience in trade finance. Preferably, five (5) of those years should have been gained at an international development institution or international commercial bank engaged in trade finance.
- Proven track record in managing complex trade finance operations and developing strategic partnerships
- Strong understanding of international trade finance instruments, risk mitigation techniques, and regulatory frameworks
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
- Strong communication skills with the ability to represent the OPEC Fund externally at all levels
- Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is an added advantage.
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