Job Purpose:

• Responsible for leading the Securities and Documentation function by ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant preparation, verification, and execution of all corporate and non-corporate loan contracts, internal security documents, and related credit documentation.
• The role safeguards the Bank’s lending position by ensuring all documentation aligns with approved sanction terms, the Bank’s Credit Policy, CBK Prudential Guidelines, and all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Additionally, the role provides strategic oversight on evolving legal, regulatory, and policy changes impacting credit documentation while ensuring effective covenant capture, monitoring, and risk mitigation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Signatory and Power of Attorney for Loan Contracts and Security Documentation.
• Serve as the Bank’s authorized signatory and holder of Power of Attorney for execution of loan contracts and internal security documents.
• Ensure all approvals are adequate and compliant with the Bank’s Credit Policy, Scheme of Delegation, and related annexures before documentation.
• Verify that all facility types, sanction terms, repayment structures, pricing, commissions, collateral requirements, and approval conditions are accurately reflected in loan contracts.
• Ensure collateral clauses are correctly structured to protect the Bank’s legal and financial interests.
• Review and confirm contract accuracy to minimize errors, omissions, and documentation risks.
• Provide timely and accurate reports relating to loan contracts and internal security documentation.
• Liaise with approving authorities to clarify contradictory or ambiguous sanction terms before execution.

Supervisory, Leadership, and People Management:

• Lead and manage the team of Securities and Documentation Officers to ensure accurate, timely, and efficient processing of all credit documentation.
• Oversee workflow through the Loan Origination System (LOS) while ensuring all non LOS transactions are effectively tracked and processed.
• Monitor turnaround times (TATs), service level agreements (SLAs), and departmental productivity.
• Evaluate team performance regularly, identify skill gaps, and implement corrective measures.
• Develop and implement process automation and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
• Coordinate effectively with Legal, Credit Administration, Relationship Management, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless credit documentation processes.
• Ensure prompt resolution of audit findings and implementation of corrective action plans.
• Manage staff leave planning, handovers, performance reviews, and staff exit-related documentation processes.

Risk Management and Compliance Oversight:

• Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting lending and credit documentation.
• Liaise with Legal and Compliance teams to revise templates and documentation standards in line with new laws and internal policy changes.
• Ensure customer notifications for lending variations comply with applicable consumer protection and banking laws.
• Verify accurate capture of all conditions of sanction and covenants within facility contracts.
• Maintain covenant trackers and ensure proper monitoring, breach identification, and reporting.
• Conduct periodic reviews of executed contracts to confirm compliance with approved standards.
• Support proactive risk identification by ensuring proper documentation of covenants and early warning indicators.

Training, Learning, and Development:

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing documentation team.
• Identify staff training needs and implement development plans.
• Conduct training for team members, relationship managers, management trainees, and HiPo staff on:
  • Credit documentation best practices.
  • Risk identification.
  • Contract execution.
  • Collateral risk management.
  • Covenant monitoring and compliance.
• Contribute to product development initiatives by ensuring documentation processes  align with new product requirements.
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous professional development within the department.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders including Branch Teams, Relationship Managers, Credit Risk Managers, Legal, and Credit Administration on all matters related to credit documentation.
• Provide timely advisory support on documentation-related credit decisions.
• Guide Relationship Managers and other business units on documentation requirements to improve customer execution experiences.
• Ensure effective interdepartmental collaboration to maintain SLA and TAT compliance.
• Support process reengineering initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency.

Decision-Making and Accountabilities:
Financial Impact:

• Protect the Bank from legal, compliance, operational, and reputational risks through complete and accurate loan documentation.
• Ensure prompt loan disbursement by maintaining efficient documentation turnaround, directly supporting loan book growth.
• Strengthen covenant management and monitoring to identify early warning signs and reduce potential credit losses.
• Ensure compliance with changing regulatory requirements to avoid penalties and financial exposure.

Operational and People Impact:

• Manage employee leave schedules and resource planning to ensure uninterrupted business operations.
• Drive employee performance management and capability development.
• Contribute to product development and process enhancement for improved operational effectiveness.
• Oversee complaint resolution within required service timelines.
• Ensure timely closure of audit findings, tracking of CAPs, and maintenance of audit readiness.

Academic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in commerce, Business Management, Economics, or related field.

Professional Qualifications: 

• Professional certifications in Credit Management, CPA, ACCA, Banking, or equivalent.

Work Experience: 

• Minimum 4–6 years of total relevant credit documentation and banking experience.
• Minimum 4 years of managerial experience in credit, lending operations, or related banking functions.

Required Skills and Competencies: 

• Strong analytical and interpretation skills.
• Excellent numerical and risk assessment capability.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Leadership and people management capability.
• Excellent communication, report writing, and presentation skills.
• Good knowledge of credit and trade finance products.
• Strong understanding of banking regulations, Banking Act, and CBK Prudential Guidelines.
• Good knowledge of core banking systems and loan origination systems.
• Strong understanding of legal frameworks applicable to lending, securities, and banking documentation.
• High attention to detail and compliance orientation.