Subject Matter Expert – Cash Management & Trade Finance Solutions
Job Description
Overview: The SME is responsible for leading and managing IT projects related to trade finance products and services. This role involves coordinating between various stakeholders, ensuring the successful implementation of technology solutions that enhance trade finance operations, and driving process improvement.
Roles And Responsibilities
- Relevant experience in the implementation of Trade Finance solutions. Good knowledge of trade products, trade services, and interfacing with SWIFT messages and core banking systems.
- Work on web-based Trade Finance systems enabling banks' trade finance departments to process transactions of various trade finance products. Configure trade finance products according to corporate customer requirements, analyze, and resolve challenges.
- Experience with Trade Finance products like Letters of Credit (LC), Collections, Guarantees, Standby Letters of Credit, and related instruments.
- Understanding of SWIFT message types MT700 (LC issuance), MT760 (Guarantees), MT103, MT202 COV (payment messages), and familiarity with commercial and financial documents like Bills of Lading and Bills of Exchange.
- Project Planning: Define scope, objectives, and deliverables; develop detailed plans, timelines, and budgets.
- Requirements Gathering: Collaborate with stakeholders to gather and document business needs through workshops, interviews, and surveys.
- Process Analysis: Analyze existing workflows to identify inefficiencies, develop process maps, and propose improvements.
- Solution Design: Translate business requirements into technical specifications; participate in system design and development.
- Team Leadership: Assemble and lead project teams, assign roles, and facilitate collaboration.
- Stakeholder Management: Communicate project status, risks, and gather requirements and feedback.
- Risk Management: Identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and monitor risks throughout the project lifecycle.
- Quality Assurance: Ensure deliverables meet standards, implement continuous improvement processes.
- Resource Management: Manage personnel, equipment, and budgets; optimize resource allocation.
- Reporting and Documentation: Maintain project documentation, prepare status reports and presentations.
- Post-Implementation Review: Evaluate outcomes, gather feedback, and conduct lessons learned sessions.
Skills And Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field; PMP or similar certification preferred.
- Experience: Proven project management experience and expertise as a Trade Finance Business Analyst or SME within an IT environment.
- Technical Skills: Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira) and methodologies (Agile, Waterfall).
- Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
- Problem-Solving: Critical thinking and effective issue resolution skills.