Country Risk Manager

Mashreq; Kuwait City; On-site; KWD 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Mashreq Kuwait is seeking a seasoned risk management leader to oversee country-wide risk classes and governance, coordinating with HO Risk and Group Risk to align with local regulations and Mashreq standards. The role also serves as the ESG focal point for country-level matters, supporting risk appetite and regulatory compliance across business units.

The incumbent will drive the risk program, manage committee processes, and coordinate with senior management to sustain effective governance and

Qualifications

• At least ten years of risk management experience, with five years in related areas.
• Good knowledge of GCC and Kuwait regulatory environment.
• Familiarity with ESG and climate risk frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills and knowledge of financial risk management.
• Professional risk management qualifications (CFA/FRM/IRM/PRM/SCR) would be advantageous.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Office, PPT, Excel).
• Team player, self-starter, innovative and highly motivated.

Responsibilities

• Lead the country-level Risk Management function, overseeing governance of all risk classes.
• Coordinate with HO Risk to establish and maintain risk management frameworks and committees.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and Mashreq Group standards.
• Act as ESG liaison for country-level matters and support ESG program adoption.
• Support regulatory reporting, risk appetite monitoring, and risk-related governance.
• Provide guidance to business units on enterprise risk management and regulatory frameworks.

Skills

Risk management

Regulatory knowledge (GCC & Kuwait)

ESG & Climate risk

Financial risk management

Regulatory reporting

Analytical skills

Professional certification (CFA/FRM/IR

Job description

Lead the country-level Risk Management function, overseeing all risks classes. Build and lead a strong risk organization, ensuring compliance with applicable local risk regulations, Mashreq Group standards, and international best practices. Collaborate with senior management, MANCO, and Group Risk to support strategic objectives, while establishing effective governance frameworks and providing risk management support across business units.

The incumbent will also act as a focal point of coordination and liaison for Country-Level ESG related matters.

KEY RESULT AREAS

• Country Risk Manager Kuwait is responsible for coordination & management of governance of all risk classes for Mashreq Kuwait in coordination with HO Risk
• The incumbent will be the focal point for managing day-to-day risk activities in collaboration with HO Risk. Establish the local Risk Management Committee (where applicable) and oversee its Charter, Terms of Reference, and meeting minutes.
• Implementation of International Risk Management framework. Maintenance, reporting & monitoring of Level 3 Country Risk Appetite (where applicable).
• Responsible for maintenance of Local risk management related policy & process notes, where applicable and handling of regulatory requirements.
• Point person for supporting Business and support function coordination pertaining to Enterprise risk management and applicable regulatory frameworks. Supporting compliance with risk management related regulatory guidelines and BASEL requirements.
• Country Operational Risk oversight role including responsibilities guidance and support to local team, RCSA design, sample testing and monitoring implementation, bridging between ORM- HO and Branch, escalation to HO ORM, trainings etc.
• Oversee Branch credit bureau related review, support and follow up for issue resolutions.
• Oversee Branch’s risk indicators implementation and support audit readiness. Keep the Risk Committee(s)/ Designated Committee(s) and Senior Management apprised of the assumptions used in and potential shortcomings of the Bank risk models and analyses;
• Ensure that, where applicable:

i. Risk reporting to the Risk Committee(s) / Designated Committee(s) is carefully designed to convey bank-wide, individual portfolio and other risks in a concise and meaningful manner for designated areas in accordance with HO Risk guidelines/ policies. While reporting, must accurately communicate risk exposures and results of stress tests or scenario analyses.

ii. Material risk-related ad-hoc information that requires immediate decisions or reactions is promptly presented to Senior Management/ HO Risk and, as appropriate, the Risk Committee/ Designated Committee(s), the responsible officers and, where applicable, the Heads of Control Functions so that suitable measures and activities can be initiated at an early stage.

Credit Administration

• Monitor and analyse credit portfolio performance, including delinquency, loss rates, covenant compliance, collateral valuations, exception reporting, and the identification of early warning signals and adverse trends.
• Provide credit administration and analytical support for credit policy formulation, product management, loss forecasting, portfolio reporting, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Administer approved credit facilities and related documentation, including issuance of offer letters, review of credit documentation, maintenance of records and registers, collateral documentation, and coordination of facility set-up and documentation processes.
• Ensure compliance with credit policies, regulatory requirements, and internal procedures, including oversight of limit excesses and irregularities, maintenance of credit policies and procedures, and support for capital adequacy and stress testing activities.
• Act as country Focal point for ESG and climate risk matters, ensuring coordination with the central ESG team
• Support local Implementation of ESG initiatives, awareness sessions, and data submissions in line with group ESG governance and regulatory requirements
• Facilitate integration of ESG and climate risk considerations within the country’s risk management framework, climate risk regulations and reporting processes.
• Provide inputs on local ESG or sustainability-related developments, regulatory expectations, and emerging risks to the central ESG function.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• At least ten years of risk management experience, out of which minimum of five years should be in related areas
• Good knowledge of GCC and Kuwait Regulatory environment
• Familiarity with ESG and Climate Risk frameworks
• Strong analytical skills and knowledge on Financial Risk Management
• Professional Risk management Qualification incl. Professional Certification would be a distinct advantage e.g. CFA / FRM/ IRM/ PRM/ SCR (Sustainability & Climate Risk)
• Excellent computer skills (especially MS office, PPT & Excel)
• Team player, self-starter, innovative and highly motivated.