Manager, Market Risk at National Bank of Kenya

Position Scope:

• The position is responsible for identifying, measuring, monitoring, and mitigating market risks that arise from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices, and other market variables. This role ensures that the bank’s risk exposure remains within approved limits and complies with regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, set direction and oversee the market risk monitoring function in area of responsibility.
• Control and supervision of the management of market risks in the Bank. This includes the approval of limits, excesses and costs within your delegated authorities.
• Develop proactive engagement with business in pursuit of balanced risk / return positions via discussions on market, liquidity and applicable trading risk limits.
• Provide analysis of risk exposures, market commentaries, analysis of variances and so on to
• Treasury and Chief Risk Office as and when required.
• Develop proactive engagement with ALCO and Risk Committee in pursuit of sustainable and profitable balance sheet growth.
• Manage the middle office team independently from the business and ensure that the function is adequately resourced with an appropriate number of competent staff.
• Identify market risk exposures across trading and banking books.
• Develop and maintain risk models such as Value at Risk (VaR), stress testing, and sensitivity analysis.
• Monitor market trends and economic indicators affecting risk positions.
• Prepare and present regular risk reports to senior management and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure compliance with internal risk policies and external regulations (e.g., Basel III).
• Support regulatory submissions, including backtesting and capital adequacy reporting.
• Work closely with trading, treasury, finance, and compliance teams to manage risk limits.
• Provide analysis and commentary on changes in risk positions and their impact.
• Contribute to the development of risk management frameworks and technology platforms.
• Recommend risk mitigation strategies and hedging solutions.
• Ensure that there are appropriate and documented internal controls and procedures in place. Monitor the operation of such procedures and controls and regularly review them to ensure that they reflect any changes in products, systems, policy and regulations.
• Maintain appropriate relationships with Regulators and Rating agencies and liaise with internal / external auditors. Any response to audit findings must first be approved by ALCO/ CRO.
• The sole signatory for Market Risk on all local PDD’s but responsible for consulting with the relevant Treasury/ product risk teams as necessary.
• Set Internal and / or regulatory limits via the relevant units, after due consultation with the relevant Treasury/ product risk teams and monitor such limits.
• Report local limit excesses to ALCO.
• Support internal and external audits related to market risk.
• Assist in policy development for market, trading credit, and liquidity risk.

Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field from a recognized University.
• FRM (Financial Risk Manager), CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), or PRM highly desirable.
• Professional Qualification in CPA or ACCA shall be an added advantage
• Good knowledge of balance sheet management and other risk management concepts.
• A minimum of 7 years’ working experience, with at least five (5) years in middle level management in market risk/financial markets.
• Excellent analytical skills and sound judgement in a rapidly changing and often stressful environment.
• Good business acument and multicultural sensitivity.
• Possess strong leadership qualities.
• Must have an in-depth knowledge of:
  • market, liquidity and applicable trading risk models and methodologies
  • market, liquidity and applicable trading risk regulations and guidelines
  • workings of financial markets
  • trading and risk management system platforms
• Strong banking knowledge and comprehensive technical credit risk management skills
• Strategic insights and sensitivity to macro and regulatory issues
• Excellent interpersonal skills / team player