Analyst, Payment Operations

The Analyst is responsible for completing a variety of operational tasks across equivalent middle and back office functions that directly interface with Banking Origination, Portfolio Management, Procurement, and Treasury teams.

Day-to-day, the team's core responsibilities include the management of payee onboarding journey, as well as ensuring the timely funding and execution of the Bank's payments in global markets. This involves managing a diverse range of products and ensuring the proper settlement of EBRD's transactions.

The individual will also interact with other functions involved in end-to-end processes, including (but is not limited to) Risk, Office of General Counsel (OGC) and broader Corporate Services teams.

The individual will need to adopt a continuous improvement mindset and will be expected to support and be a part of improving operational processes across the OSM function.

Background

The function is responsible for the accurate acquisition, verification and maintenance of Payee's data in the Bank's systems as well as ensuring appropriate funding and settlement of the Bank's transactions. Responsible for the overall governance and oversight of Payment processes across the Bank the function facilitates measurement of key risks and the application of limits and control of parties throughout their payment lifecycle.

The role interacts with a wide cross section of both internal departments and external parties to ensure the Bank's transactions are settled in an accurate and timely manner ensuring risks are identified and mitigated through the product lifecycle as per the Bank's risk appetite.

The Bank is undertaking various improvement initiatives and seeking to automate (where possible) various processes. Candidates will need to embrace these philosophies and play a role in ensuring we collectively deliver operational improvements and efficiencies.

Facts / Scale

OSM teams typically are typically manage a range of activities that include:

• Working amongst a team of c.5-10 staff responsible for day-to-day operational activity, working across a wider Operations department of c. 150 employees
• Delivering expertise and advice across Payments lifecycle
• Facilitate onboarding and maintenance of static data of around 5,000 new counterparties per annum
• Collectively responsible for the settlement of between 50 and 200 trades per day
• Collectively responsible for the settlement of USD 1 billion per day in transactions contributing to a total balance sheet size of €50 billion and P&L of up to €1 billion, plus between 150 - 200 Donor Funds with an aggregate value of €1.5 billion.
• Has sole responsibility over the completion of individual deal transactions relating to their team, portfolio or product.
• Facilitating c. 40,000 transactional payments p.a. (with c. Euro 16bn equivalent value)
• Oversight of all (c. 20) Bank's payment channels

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Operational Performance:

• Execute operational processes across a range of activities in equivalent middle and back office support functions that facilitate payment oversight and execution activities
• Demonstrate personnel commitment to delivering outstanding operational performance by adhering to established operational metrics - timeliness, quality and customer satisfaction
• Responds to operational queries in a prompt and timely manner
• Communicate with relevant departments to ensure that the decision-makers are aware of the risks involved with specific projects/transactions
• When required provide support and training to the team in the delivery of their tasks
• Where necessary, provide additional capacity across OSM to ensure expected service levels are maintained, including unanticipated deadlines defined by Banking/Treasury clients

Operational Standards, Risk, Control & Governance:

• Be a part of a culture where team members are responsible for the quality of their output, ensuring adherence to established quality/assurance targets
• Help support the broader improvement of OSMs control environment
• Ensure that new processes and practices are conducted in line with quality standards, applicable policies and relevant legislation

Continuous Improvement:

• Be a 'team player' in a team/department responsible for creating a 'best in class' operational function
• Support the identification and implementation effort associated with driving improved efficiencies in OSM with a view to enhancing the overall service experience - timeliness, quality, engagement etc.
• Demonstrate self-awareness of personal and broader operational metrics, identifying opportunities to improve (either personally or collectively)

Service Management & Third Party Management:

• In delivering day-to-day operational activity, conform to established service levels and standards
• Where necessary, work in a collaborative manner with other colleagues/teams involved in a hybrid service model

Stakeholder Management:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to facilitate operational outcomes that adhere to established service levels
• Positively influences others to help deliver a sustainable operations function
• Proactively works with the Business to identify and manage backlogs, guiding them on prioritisation and, where necessary, conveying wider operational constraints
• Be an ambassador for OSM across other departments by delivering outstanding operational outcomes

The individual appointed must have the necessary seniority to be able to take on responsibilities associated with the role, being able to handle the pressures of the role in a manner appropriate to the Bank. The candidate should have the following:

• University educated, or equivalent work experience
• Comprehensive banking, legal or credit skills as well as a good understanding of treasury and banking products transacted by EBRD
• Banking/Treasury product knowledge is required to settle trades across the global market
• Appreciation of the impact that the function has with other key departments in the servicing of Banking, Treasury and Procurement transactions
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to proactively identify opportunities for improved customer outcomes
• Experience with SAP, Swift, BACS, Summit systems considered advantageous
• Experience of being part of a team that has transformed itself utilising continuous improvement techniques would be considered beneficial
• Experience of working in a team that utilises operational metrics to effectively manage operational teams would be advantageous
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English required. Knowledge of another language would also be considered beneficial
• Sufficient credibility to advise peers across the organisation, helping mitigate banking/operational risks
• Must have positive, collaborative and solution orientated attitude
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong team player, attention to detail, strong analytical skills with the ability to organise, multi task and prioritise effectively to meet deadlines
• Understanding of Banking Operations and Account Payable payment processes
• Understanding of payee onboarding/verification process
• Familiarity with payment systems (SWIFT/BACS) and associated screening and sanction understanding would be considered beneficial
• Understanding of Treasury requirements when funding the Banks products
• Understanding of cash reconciliation and ability to resolve issues arising from non-settlement of transactions

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in. The EBRD environment provides you with: * Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in; * A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity; * An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. Diversity is one of the Bank's core values which are at the heart of everything it does. A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.