Country Risk

Manage the overall Risk Management function of the bank addressing Credit, Market, Operational, Legal & Reputational risks and all other material risks. Devise and implement a risk management structure compliant with central bank regulations, Mashreq requirements and international best practices. Also responsible for co-ordination of ESG related matters of the Kuwait branch in collaboration with Group ESG function.
Plan, organize, control and review the operational and administrative functions of credit risk in order to ensure efficient and effective support to the related banking departments.
 

Credit Administration

•    Provide analysis to understand key drivers of delinquency and loss rates across portfolio segments.

•    Monitor portfolio performance and identify early warning signals of adverse trends within the portfolio.

•    Facilitate policy formulation providing MIS and analytical support for existing and new products.

•    Develop loss forecasting models and track performance across products on a quarterly basis.

•    Scrutinize the approval of credit facilities and arrange the issuance of offer letters to existing and prospective clients in accordance with terms and conditions of approvals as per prescribed procedures.

•    Review all credit related documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines.

•    Ensure the recording of all change documents in the appropriate register and be responsible for the safe custody as per prescribed procedures. 

•    Provide countersignature for completing and discharging collateral for all secured facilities.

•    Monitor adherence to credit covenants and report breaches, if any.

•    Monitor exception reports on a periodical basis to ensure that facilities are availed within limits, competent authority has duly approved excesses and irregularities are rectified without delay.

•    Monitor collateral valuations against credit portfolio and ensure compliance with credit policy.

•    Review and update internal procedures regularly and be the branch custodian of credit policies and procedures.

•    Supervise the capital adequacy calculations and stress testing in the line with CBK policies and bank policies.

•    Attend Scrum meeting.

•    Submit regulatory reports (CBK & Ci-Net).

•    Coordinating with documentation team in HO in preparing CFAs.

•    Following up with CCU in uploading clients' facility.

•    Following up on daily reports (Expired KYC, MER, OD Excess).
Risk Management Framework

•    Develop and execute on the Branch's overall risk management policy and strategy.

•    Establish risk committee for Kuwait branch

•    In coordination/collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, ensure the Branch formalizes its Climate Risk Management framework to comply with relevant regulatory requirements.

•    Formulate appropriate self-assessments and  risk controls in order to monitor and mitigate material  operational,  market,  financial  and  sustainability  risks  arising from  its wholesale banking activities.

•    Establish formal governance over Branch's risk management programs/initiatives, ensuring stakeholders  involvement as appropriate (Country MANCO,  IBG  Governance  Committee, etc).
Wholesale Credit Risk

•    Quality of assigned loan portfolio, as measured by % of classified outstanding and hence loan loss provisions, Volume of assigned portfolio.

•    Implementation  of  appropriate   risk   reporting  to  the  Country  Head,   Manco  and  senior management.

•    Early detection of warning signals to ensure timely corrective action, and hence minimize loan losses.

•    Develop,  document  and  review  deals,  structures,  credit  products  /  services  and  provide business  solutions  which  meets  business  and  customer  requirements  within  credit  and operational risk guidelines and policies.

•    Be vigilant about changing credit risk environment / profiles of countries / regions in general and customers / relationships in particular by developing, setting up and ensuring ongoing and periodic monitoring and reviews.

•    Developing and spreading a credit culture throughout the Bank's RMs.

•    Provide expertise and solutions to RMs and ARMs in developing deal / transaction structure, and advising on handling problem accounts.

•    Review credit policies and procedures on a periodical basis, and recommend changes where appropriate.
Operational Risk

•    Primary responsibility to monitor and measure OR and support identification and control of OR for the group.

•    Define policies regarding management responsibilities, control standards and accountabilities that ensure the stability and surety of all transaction processing.

•    Facilitate branch wide risk assessments and monitors priority risks accordingly.

•    Reporting requirements to CBO and communication on incidents including fraud related cases/enquiries from the relevant government department.
Market Risk

•    Establish  the   Market   Risk  function   for  the   Bank   in  line  with   HO   &  Local  Regulatory requirements  (including  defining  the  Middle  and  Back  office  functions  to  difference  from Market Risk), staff and make the roles operational.

•    Establish market risk measurement systems, in line with HO & Local Regulatory requirements. Monitor Market Risk on an ongoing basis.
Compliance with Regulatory requirements and Group Internal Policies

•    Remain updated on relevant regulations and guidelines; and assess  its applicability to the Branch's activities.

•    Ensure Branch's Risk  Management policies, procedures and processes are compliant with relevant regulatory guidelines as well as internal group requirements. Periodic gap analysis must be performed so that any gaps/deficiencies are identified and addressed.

•    Provide  necessary guidance,  information and support to Country MLRO in the context of completing regulatory assessments and reports related to Risk Management.   

•    Engage with auditors during regulatory examinations and internal audits.
Risk Controls and Assessments

•    Identify, assess and document relevant risks and controls in a comprehensive risk register.

•    Perform  periodic  Risk  Control  Self  Assessments,  scenario  analysis  and  stress  testing to evaluate effectiveness of controls and impact to the branch in worst-case scenarios.

•    Independent  review  and assessment of the  effectiveness of Country  Business Continuity Plans, Recovery Plans etc.

•    Monitor key risks diligently and initiate appropriate action to contain those risks.

•    Perform periodic independent reviews over Country Treasury and Business lines, ensuring strict adherence to applicable risk tolerance limits (i.e. Investment Limits, FX Limits, Cross Border Limits, etc.).
Administrative Functions

•    Member of Branch ALCO, establish and chair the Branch Risk Committee.

•    Country SPOC (Single Point of Contact) for all Risk Management projects and initiatives.
 

•    Minimum  10 years' working experience  in a similar capacity, preferably for an established financial institution.

•    Display an in-depth understanding of Kuwait and international banking sector regulations related to credit policies and risk management practices.

•    Effective communicator, able to straddle cultures and diverse business situations.

•    Effective  stakeholder  management,  able  to   lead  and  implement  change   in  a  complex organizational setting.

•    Ability  to  conduct  gap  analysis,  validate  stress  tests,  formulate   policies  and  operating procedures with relative ease.

•    Fluency in English with strong report writing and presentation skills. Expert level quantitative and financial techniques / skills.

•    Team player and participation experience in variety of banking initiatives and solutions.  Proven decision making track record under pressing conditions.