Job Opportunities at ABSA Bank

Manager, Payment Operations

Absa Africa is looking for a highly motivated Manager of Payment Operations in Tanzania. Read job description below to see if you are suitable to apply for this job.

Main accountabilities 

• Manage and control daily payment operations by ensuring timely and accurate execution of payments for both wire transfers and TACH (including Cheque processing).
• Understand payments KPI that can measure efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of payment operations and use them to identify areas of improvements.
• Regularly reviewing and updating process, procedures, Operational level agreements (OLA) and Service Level Agreement (SLAs) to align with regulatory changes and industry best practices.
• Establish the strategic direction for payment operations focusing on identifying opportunities to enhance payment processes, systems and cost saving.
• Be knowledgeable about payment networks and infrastructure e.g. SWIFT payments’ applications including the current ongoing transitions from ISO 150022 (MT) to ISO20022 (MX) of SWIFT instruction messages and clearing and settlement systems (TACH, TISS, TIPS, EAPS etc.).
• Create a strong relationship with business, understand customer`s demands and make improvement in payment operations to enhance customer experience.
• Collaborate with Compliance, risks and Governance departments to help the business stay compliant with the financial regulations such that Anti Money Laundering and Fraud management.
• Collaborate with Finance and Reconciliation Team to ensure both internal and external General ledger and Sub ledger books that facilitate payments processing are reconciled and operate in the agreed manner and ensure any exceptional entries are attended to on time as per the business rules.
• Work effectively with other managers within operations and across the bank to share and gain knowledge that contributing to the overall performance of the bank.
• Proactively participate in any technology payment-related projects to provide expertise and ensure a robust payment system is developed.
• Liaise with Local IT and software vendor to increase and prioritize system enhancement to meet business requirements. Recommend where necessary, upgraded equipment to support the business as volumes and sophistication increase.
• Maintain positive relationships with payment suppliers, resolve any discrepancies or issues, and negotiate payment terms when necessary.
• Coordinate and ensure self-audit within payment space is carried out on a regular basis to obtain green status during internal and external audits.
• Coordinate with respective units on Country Business Continuity Management (BCM) plan and ensure the plan is updated regularly.
• Supervise, train, and mentor payment staff, including performance evaluations and professional development.
• Ensure that all your staff are becoming proficient where necessary, on system security, key functionality, standard reporting and report design, daily maintenance, end-of-day processing and backup requirements.
• Work closely with the Head of Transactional Banking Operations as one team to ensure delivery of excellent performance and production of good quality work.
• Provide cover for other team managers as required and be a fast learner, doing wholeheartedly, communicating with passion and enthusiasm, embracing change as a way of working.
• Coordinate team meetings and have a succession plan for your roles and all that reports to you.
• Achieve individual and team targets to meet customer expectations and improve customer experience (both internal and external).
• Effective leadership and team development skills to manage Payment’s resource, potentially between different culture.
• Understands the best combinations in terms of specific attributes or capabilities as well as team behaviours required to produce high performing teams and team cohesion through challenging times.
• Ensure protection of the Bank’s assets.
• Drive process understanding within function so that the team can operate efficiently when the systems are not fully operational.
• Ensure that all staff are aware of the precautions against fire and safety, emergency evacuation, policy/procedural requirements, Whistle blowing, MCB rules & regulations, Business regulations including KYC, money laundering guidelines etc. as well as KYR (Know Your Responsibility).
• Ensure adherence of individual delegated limits within function.
• Ensure all outstanding entries in the NOSTRO/BOT / and Other Suspense Accounts that facilitate payments processing are attended per the business rules.
• Regularly review and manage operational costs and losses to avoid revenue leakage
• Ensure a thorough understanding of the inherent risk that come with Inward and Outward Transfers both TACH and wire transfers and the relevant mitigating controls for the process
• Ensure adherence to statutory, sanctions, legal, internal Controls and group requirements
• Comply with operational risk and rigour standards in respect of protecting people, customers, assets and the organisation.
• Achieve operational rigour excellence in all aspects of activities, processes and procedures undertaken and ensure the bank attain a Green Audit.
• Maintain high standard in day-to-day processes, fight negligence’s within the team and ensure nil operational losses.
• Identify potential training for your team and personal development.
• Identify knowledge gaps, skills and competences then engage with the People Function for development plan.
• Develop and agree individual performance objectives, standards and targets for staff under your control.
• Ensure skills matrix are in place and same is used for TNA (Training Needs analysis) purposes in conjunction with Learning and Development (L&D).
• Responsible for control, direction and motivation of staff in Doc preparation and helpdesk. These include performance contracts, constant coaching and feedback.
• Provide payments expertise to ensure complex cases are handled seamless with minimum supervision and to reduce escalations & dependencies.

Technical skills / Competencies

• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities
• Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skill
• Capable for facilitating/running workshops related to TACH and SWIFT
• Highly skilled in influencing and stakeholder management to ensure the successful delivery of Business target under Payment
• Confident and able to influence Senior leaders
• Ability to demonstrate the following Competencies
• Personal Impact – Performance Climate
• Relationship/Partnership approach
• Team building/Team Player
• Drive for Results
• Multi-skilled operationally
• Interpersonal relationship
• Problem Solving
• Quick thinker
• Computer Literate

Knowledge, Expertise and Experience

• Expert knowledge on Payment Techniques both TISS/TIPS/TACH/EAPS/SADC RTGS etc.
• Able to adopt and/or coach the use of a variety of methods to keep Payment processes up to date within acceptable standard.
• Ensure smooth implementation of work packages pertinent to the Outward/Inward transfers.
• Understanding of Bank’s systems that support payment processing.
• Understanding of message types and their usage.
• Understand new introduced payments systems operates as we move to digital led organisation.
• Understand Bank strategy
• General knowledge of the bank processes like Foreign Exchange, trade and other products.
• Flexibility when required to work longer hours to cater for the demands of the job especially during peak periods

Absa Values
Absa’s Values and Behaviors represent the set of standards which governs the actions of all of us who work for the bank and against which the performance of every one of us in Absa are being assessed and rewarded:

Trust
Resourceful
Stewardship
Inclusive
Courage
Education

Higher Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

Does your qualification matches to our requirements? Submit your application below now.

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