The Head of International Banking will be responsible for leading international banking operations at a strategic level. This includes oversight of cross-border services, trade finance, correspondent banking, and global partnerships. The role demands a visionary leader who can balance growth and profitability with strict compliance to international regulatory frameworks. This position is central to shaping the institution’s global footprint, driving innovation in international banking, and ensuring resilience in an increasingly competitive financial environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide strategic direction for international banking operations, aligning with long-term business objectives and global expansion goals, while mentoring and developing staff into trusted advisors and specialists.
• Supervise and guide teams across trade finance, treasury, correspondent banking, and cross-border services, building a culture of innovation, accountability, and customer focus.
• Represent the institution in international forums, seminars, and workshops, while building and maintaining strong relationships with correspondent banks, regulators, investors, and multilateral institutions.
• Strengthen correspondent banking networks to facilitate seamless global transactions, identify and pursue new markets and client segments, and develop tailored solutions for multinational corporations, institutional investors, and high-net-worth clients.
• Ensure strict compliance with FATF, Basel III, AML/CFT, and other international frameworks, while establishing robust risk management systems for currency, country, and credit exposures to safeguard against reputational, operational, and compliance risks.
• Oversee operational efficiency by implementing advanced technology platforms to support cross-border transactions and digital banking, driving continuous improvement in processes, systems, and service delivery, and ensuring data integrity, security, and resilience.
• Monitor global market trends, risks, and opportunities, evaluate international client portfolios, and provide insights to executives to inform strategic decision-making, while developing risk frameworks for currency, country, and compliance exposures.
• Coach and motivate team members to ensure high engagement and professional growth, promote safe working practices, and maintain the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in all dealings.

PREREQUISITES:

• Post Graduate Degree in Banking or Finance from a recognized university OR an alternative qualification from a recognized university/professional body in a field of study relevant to the scope of work OR any other qualifications, acceptable to the Bank
• Professional certifications such as CFA, FRM, or ACCA is advantageous.
• Expertise in global financial markets, trade finance, and risk management.
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills, with experience managing diverse teams and clients across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
• Proven ability to build trust with multinational corporations, institutional investors, and government agencies.
•  Advanced Microsoft Excel modelling capabilities and knowledge of IFRS and hedge accounting.

SKILLS:

• Strategic leadership – setting vision, driving global banking strategy, and aligning operations with long-term objectives.
•  Financial expertise – strong knowledge of international markets, trade finance, and treasury operations.
• Risk management – handling currency volatility, geopolitical risks, compliance, and credit exposures.
• Regulatory knowledge – deep understanding of FATF, Basel III, AML/CFT, IFRS, and hedge accounting.
• Relationship building – developing partnerships with correspondent banks, regulators, investors, and multinational clients.
• Cross-cultural communication – managing diverse teams and clients across Africa, Europe, and Asia with cultural sensitivity.