Associate, Trade Finance
AI summary
I&M Bank is hiring an Associate, Trade Finance in Nairobi to process trade finance transactions, manage portfolio risks, and support business growth. The role involves handling Letters of Credit, guarantees, collections, and supply chain finance in line with internal policies, CBK guidelines, and international trade practices. A Business/Finance degree and at least 1 year of trade operations experience are required.
- Full-time entry-level role at I&M Bank in Nairobi
- Deadline: 06/10/2026
- Requires Business/Finance degree and 1+ year trade operations experience
- Covers Letters of Credit, guarantees, collections, and supply chain finance
- Salary open to negotiation
AI job guide
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AI salary guide
Not enough public dataNot enough public salary data is available for this exact role. Before applying, prepare to ask about gross pay, benefits, contract length, probation period, transport and any allowances.
Can you qualify for this role?
- Required1+ years of relevant experienceThe job post includes a minimum experience signal.
- RequiredEducation or certification mentioned in the postThe captured text mentions education, a diploma, certificate, or licence.
- PreferredPractical evidence in factory, call_center, domesticThe tags and summary point to skills connected with this role.
- RequiredAvailability to work in Not specifiedThe vacancy is associated with this location.
- UnclearComfort with the Full Time contract termsConfirm hours, duration, probation and benefits at the original source.
Documents to prepare
- Likely requiredUpdated CV
- Role specificCover letter or short employer message
- OptionalProfessional references
- Role specificAcademic or professional certificates
- VerifyID or passport only after verifying the employer
Application tips for this job
- Place your strongest Associate, Trade Finance evidence in the first half of your CV.
- In your cover letter or employer message, connect your experience to I&M Bank and the role in Not specified.
- Add concrete examples related to factory, call_center, domestic, ideally with measurable outcomes or clear responsibilities.
- Follow the instructions from Corporate Staffing Kenya; avoid sending documents to unofficial contacts or copied links.
- Confirm the deadline, interview location and employer contact before sharing personal documents.
- Plan to submit before the listed deadline: 2026-10-06.
Source and safety check
- Corporate Staffing Kenya
- Original source link available
- Application method is clear
- Deadline is available: 2026-10-06
- No major risk signal was detected in the captured text.
Never pay for interviews, shortlisting, medical checks, uniforms, or job placement. Confirm every application at the original source before sharing personal documents. Report suspicious listing.
Interview preparation
- What experience makes you a strong fit for this Associate, Trade Finance role in factory, call_center?
- How have you handled responsibilities similar to those in this job post?
- Are you available to work in Not specified under the listed contract or schedule?
- Prepare examples with clear responsibilities, tools used and measurable outcomes.
- Review the source and research I&M Bank before the interview.
Ask what the first priorities will be in the role and how success will be measured.
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Original source description
Job Title: Associate, Trade Finance
Date Posted: 29/09/2026
Job Type: Full Time
Job Level: Entry
Employer: I&M Bank
Industry: Finance
Salary: Open
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline: 06/10/2026
Finance Jobs, I&M Bank Jobs. Associate, Trade Finance processes trade finance transactions, manages portfolio risks, and drives business growth, requires a Business/Finance Degree and 1+ years trade operations experience.
Job Purpose
This role is interchangeably responsible for; initiation, document checking, accepting and settlement of Trade Finance products.
The role processes all types of Export and Import: Commercial Letters of Credit, Standby Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, Documentary and Clean Collections; Avalized Bills, Bill Discounting, Supply Chain Finance transactions, Oil & Gas collateral Finance (CFA), and Financial Institution remittances. All this in compliance with the Bank’s internal policies, CBK prudential guidelines, and the international trade guidelines and practices.
The role also ensures timely and efficient customer service delivery and revenue generation, while safeguarding the bank’s interest in prevention of money laundering, potential litigations and losses.
Key responsibilities
- Processing of Trade Finance Instruments (60%):
- Review instructions received to ensure they are valid, workable and meet the bank’s and International Trade guidelines. Where required, liaise with customers to guide and seek clarity in order to obtain a complete application.
- Carrying out Trade Finance Compliance and due diligence checks in accordance with procedures eg. Type of goods, countries involved and where required escalate to the line manager
- Liaising with , Relationship Managers, , Credit Administration, legal department and Treasury as required to facilitate processing of the transactions. This includes seeking approvals, marking of limits in the system, legal opinion of guarantee wordings, bank indemnities etc.
- Drafting, Initiation and amendment of all types of Letters of Credit (Export, Import, Back-to-Back etc). This involves liaising with customers with regards wording, terms and conditions.
- Drafting, Initiation and amendment of all types of Guarantees (Bid Bonds, Performance, Payment etc) and Standby Letters of Credit.
- Receiving, document processing, release to clients of all documentary Collections (Import, Export, Avalization).
- Receiving of outward foreign cheques, sorting, compliance checks, dispatch to correspondent banks for payment; confirmation and payment of inward foreign cheques; processing and dispatch of unpaid cheques.
- Receiving, customer confirmation and processing of Supply Chain Finance instructions (discounting and/or distributor finance). This applies for bills discounting outside Supply Chain Finance.
- Lodging & Acceptance of Bills (Collection and LC), and relaying acceptance to Correspondent Banks.
- Payment of Bills on due date or as customers submit instructions, in liaison with Business Development and Treasury as may be required.
- Customer care (30%):
- Act as point of reference for enquiries and provide trade finance advice to external clients, and internally to bank staff as and when required.
- Correspondence with Counter Party banks – Initiation and response to correspondent bank queries.
- Confirmation of Guarantees Issued to External parties i.e. Government bodies and Large Corporates e.g. VIVO.
- Preparation of reports of outstanding liabilities and sharing with Internal and External customers as and when called for.
- Audit and compliance (10%):
- Monitoring Nostro Statements for reconciliation and accounting for and/or clearing any outstanding trade related items.
- Identify any potential red flags taking into consideration Compliance requirements/AML/Sanctions and escalating to line manager where required. Advise line Manager of all Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA).
- Reporting any Risk events within timeframes outlined in the procedure.
- Safe keeping of Client Shipping documents in Fire Proof Cabinets.
- Follow up with customers for duly executed Bills of Exchange and indemnities for safe keeping as these are considered legal documents.
- Weekly review of Outstanding Liabilities and timely notification to the relevant stakeholders e,g. Customers, Business Development, Credit.
- Formally notifying customers and/or correspondent banks of overdue payments; and closure of bills within the set timelines.
- Printing and Call back of daily journals.
- Academic Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in a Business related field from a recognized institution.
- Professional Qualifications:
- Any basic Trade related professional qualification & certification.
Experience
At least 1-3 years’ relevant professional experience and track record in processing of trade products.
Skills and Attributes:
Integrity.
Risk Awareness.
Client Focus.
Analytical skills.
Attention to detail.
Planning skills.
Ability to work under minimal supervision.
Basic understanding of trade rules and practices, both domestic and international.
Satisfactory understanding of sanctions list and how to use them i.e UN Sanctions, EU Sanctions, Domestic Sanctions if any.
Basic knowledge of professional and industry standards, bank policies and international rules UCP, ISP, ISBP, URDG, URR, etc.