About QNB

Established in 1964 as the country’s first Qatari-owned commercial bank, QNB Group has steadily grown to become the largest bank in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

QNB Group’s presence through its subsidiaries and associate companies extends to more than 31 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is more than 28,000 serving up to 20 million customers operating through 1,000 locations, with an ATM network of 4,300 machines.

QNB has maintained its position as one of the highest rated regional banks from leading credit rating agencies including Standard & Poor’s (A), Moody’s (Aa3) and Fitch (A+). The Bank has also been the recipient of many awards from leading international specialized financial publications.

Based on the Group’s consistent strong financial performance and its expanding international presence, QNB currently ranks as the most valuable bank brand in the Middle East and Africa, according to Brand Finance Magazine. QNB Group has an active community support program and sponsors various social, educational and sporting events.

Job Summary

The incumbent will be responsible for assisting the management of the process of credit approval on individual credit facility proposals for Corporate and Retail customers (only those retail proposals that fall outside applicable policy parameters), forwarded to them by the appropriate departments/ units. The incumbent will assess the quality of the credit exposure sought to be undertaken and adherence to established policies and procedures. The incumbent will constantly research and seek to apply best practices in credit risk, in accordance with Basel II and other relevant guidelines.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities By Dimensions

Shareholder & Financial:

• Perform activities within the assigned Credit Risk Strategy that reflects the Group’s tolerance for risk and the level of profitability the Group expects to achieve for incurring various credit risks.
• Ensure the use of a standardized process for evaluating credit proposals ensuring that all approved credits are within QNB’s Credit Risk Strategy.
• Assist the SVP of Risk in creating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the department and monitor their achievement on periodic basis
• Act within the limits of the powers delegated to the incumbent and delegate authority to the respective staff and monitor same.
• Implements KPI’s and best practices for role
• Promote cost consciousness and efficiency and enhance productivity, to minimize cost, avoid waste, and optimize benefits for the bank.
• Demonstrate clear understanding of the important factors behind the bank's financial & non-financial performance.

Customer (Internal & External):

• Provide independent credit advice, analysis and recommendation within tight timeframe.
• Coordinate with Compliance Group to ensure an appropriate response to obtain updates on regulations pertaining to credit risk review that are promulgated by the Central Bank, if any.
• Build and maintain strong and effective relationship with the all other related departments and units to achieve the Group’s goals/ objectives.
• Provide timely and accurate information to the external and internal auditors and the Compliance function as and when required.

Internal (Processes, Products, Regulatory):

• Deliver complete and independent credit analysis that covers financial risk, cashflow analysis, projections, facility structure, terms/conditions, product suitability and repayment ability, etc.
• Lead credit discussion with business teams and other Group stakeholders from diverse cultural background and conduct credit meetings with customers.
• Review credit documentation and seek deviation approval, if required.
• Monitor adverse news and market development.
• Compile regular credit reports, review and recommend changes to internal policies, procedures and product papers. A backup of market and liquidity risk reporting and other Risk Team activities. Ensure submission before deadlines.
• Support risk modelling initiatives and engage local/Group stakeholders as appropriate.
• Secretary of the Branch Risk Committee.
• Ensure compliance with established/ approved credit risk policies and procedures and ensure that a sound environment for identifying, measuring, monitoring and controlling credit risk is in place.
• Check coordination with business unit Relationship Managers for the timely receipt of customer documents/ other information required to evaluate the credit worthiness of the proposed borrowers. Covenant monitoring and verification of calculations.
• Ensure that all credit approvals meet overall policy guidelines and QCB regulations and to stipulate terms and conditions to mitigate the credit risk borne/ faced by the Group.
• Work towards improving overall Group credit portfolio by instilling credit risk best practices.
• Address/ facilitate correction of any weaknesses identified during assessments, audits, or examinations.
• Coordinate activities with business units to ensure the timely processing of customer credit requests within established TATs.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Set examples by leading improvement initiatives through cross-functional teams ensuring successes.
• Identify and encourage people to adopt practices better than the industry standard.

Learning & Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of the HKMA regulatory requirements on credit risk management, large exposure, and documentation, etc
• Possess an understanding of business processes and controls in all related credit/ operational areas.
• Support in risk management training across all business areas within the Group.
• Hold meetings with staff and assess their performance and your teams overall performance on a regular basis.
• Take decisive action to ensure speedy resolution of unresolved grievances or conflicts within the team members.
• Identify development opportunities and activities for staff and facilitate/coach them to improve their effectives and prepare them to assume greater responsibilities.

Legal, Regulatory, and Risk Framework Responsibilities:

• Comply with all applicable legal, regulatory and internal compliance requirements including, but not limited to, Group Compliance Policies and Procedures (AML & CTF, Sanctions Policy, Data Protection Policy, Fraud Control Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy, Conflict of Interest and Insider Dealing Policy).
• Understand and effectively perform your role under the Three Lines of Defense principle to identify measure, monitor, manage and report risks.
• Ensure systematic good outcomes for clients in accordance with Conduct Risk policy.
• Support the framework of RCSA, KRI, Incident reporting and remediation, as appropriate, in accordance with the Operational Risk Management requirements.
• Complete all mandatory training provided by the Bank, attain, and maintain the required levels of competence.
• Attend mandatory (internal and external) seminars as instructed by the Bank.

Other:

• All other ad hoc duties/activities related to QNB that management might request from time to time.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• University graduate (Bachelor’s degree) preferably with a Major in Finance, Banking, Economics, Mathematics, or Business Administration (related field of study), Masters preferred.
• Professional certification such as PRM, CPA, CFA, ECF certificate holder is preferred.
• Sound typically a Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience in a major foreign bank or audit background of which at least 2 years in bank in a supervisory capacity in risk function.

Required Special Skills:

• Excellent oral and numerical and written communication skills in English and Chinese (both Cantonese and Mandarin).
• Product knowledge e.g. syndication, supply chain financing, trade finance and hedging products, etc
• Team management but also an individual contributor. Ability to prioritize risk activities with competing deadlines.
• Knowledge of Basel II Accord, with particular emphasis on credit-related issues and credit modelling methodologies.
• Excellent quantitative modelling, analytical, and research skills.
• Experience in working with large and complex data sets. Knowledge of financial markets and products.
• Proficiency in risk concepts, banking products/ operations/ systems, pertinent regulatory requirements, International Accounting Standards and related pronouncements.
• In-depth understanding of credit risk methodologies (KMV, Credit / Metrics, etc.), interest rate modelling [short rate models, HJM, BGM, etc.], VAR, and/or other complex financial risk modelling highly desirable.
• Adequate knowledge of IT systems/ applications.
• Solution driven
• Strong sense of ownership

Operating Environment/ Location:

• Hong Kong and occasional travel for client meetings.

Communications and Working Relationships:

• Daily contact with Head of Risk to provide updates on work progress, solve issues and receive higher approval.
• Daily contact with subordinates to monitor progress, provide support and give higher approval.
• Close working relationships with Relationship Managers, Branch Managers, Account Managers and other business unit personnel.
• Regulatory authorities, external auditors, internal auditors and Group Compliance Personnel

*** This position will work closely with the front office and being the SME for all Credit Risk related advisory work and requirements, the job holders are expected to write up credit facility proposals. Ideal candidates should have international banking experience or have previous worked in Chinese Banks with some international focus.

*** Candidates should speak Mandarin, Cantonese and English (Ideally).

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