Senior Officer, Trade Finance Operations (Emiratised Role) 2026

Senior Officer, Trade Finance Operations | First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)

Role Overview 

As the Senior Officer for Trade Finance Operations, you are a vital member of the Trade Middle Office at the UAE’s largest bank. You are responsible for the end-to-end pre-processing and execution of all Trade Finance products, including both Funded (e.g., Trust Receipts, Bill Discounting) and Unfunded (e.g., Letters of Credit, Guarantees) facilities. Your role ensures that high-volume transactions originated by Wholesale and Consumer Banking are handled with surgical precision, meeting strict regulatory standards while maintaining a zero-error environment.

Key Accountabilities

1. Transaction Pre-Processing & Execution

• Trade Lifecycle Management: Execute pre-processing tasks for a wide array of trade products, ensuring every transaction is valid, complete, and aligned with customer instructions.

• SLA & TAT Adherence: Maintain a minimum 98% adherence to Turnaround Time (TAT) standards, ensuring that trade flows are not delayed and internal customer satisfaction scores remain above 90%.

• System Ownership: Take full ownership of transaction updates within the Core Banking Solution (CBS) and participate in testing and training for any new technical enhancements or product rollouts.

2. Risk Management & Compliance

• Operational Integrity: Target Zero Operational Loss and NIL near-miss events by ensuring all instructions are processed without unauthorized breaches of SOPs or bank policy.

• Regulatory Rigor: Maintain a thorough understanding of ICC Rules (such as UCP 600 or URC 522), local laws, and shipping terms to mitigate legal and financial risks.

• Escalation & Security: Identify and escalate suspicious or unusual transactions to higher authorities immediately. Ensure the safe custody of all trade-related records and legal documentation.

• Audit Readiness: Drive the unit toward “Satisfactory” ratings in all internal and external audits (INA, RMU, OCS) by maintaining impeccable housekeeping in reconciliations and tracers.

3. Stakeholder Support & Technical Guidance

• Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as a technical point of contact for internal stakeholders (CIB, CB, FI, IB) and customers, providing guidance on complex trade documentation and query resolution.

• Reporting & MIS: Assist in the preparation of performance MIS, statistical data, and monthly proofing/reconciliation reports for management review.

• Business Continuity: Support the Section Head in BCP planning and periodic self-assessments to ensure operational resilience.

4. Continuous Improvement & Efficiency

• Process Innovation: Identify and propose fruitful Process Improvement (PI) ideas that enhance productivity, reduce costs, or strengthen operational controls.

• Cost Stewardship: Generate and follow up on cost-reduction initiatives throughout the year to ensure the department operates efficiently.

• Cross-Functional Support: Demonstrate flexibility by supporting multiple desks and functions within the Trade Finance department as required.

About You: Skills & Qualifications

• Experience:

  • 2–3 years of hands-on experience in Trade Finance operations.

  • Proven experience with a variety of funded and unfunded trade products.

  • Hands-on experience using Core Banking Solutions.

• Technical Mastery:

  • Thorough understanding of ICC Rules, local laws, and legal risks associated with trade documentation.

  • Expertise in shipping terms (Incoterms) and standard bank operating procedures.

  • Proficiency in MS Office and various data analytical tools.

• Education: Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s degree preferred).

• Core Competencies:

  • Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills.

  • A “zero-error” mindset with high attention to detail.

  • Ability to challenge existing processes and share innovative ideas across teams.

Why Join First Abu Dhabi Bank?

FAB is a global leader in financial strength and the largest bank in the UAE. For Emirati professionals, we offer a high-performance culture that values technical specialization and provides a clear pathway to leadership. In the Trade Finance team, you will be at the heart of global commerce, supported by world-class training and a vision to “Grow Stronger” within a value-driven organization.

Are you ready to power the region’s trade engine? Apply now to join our Trade Finance Operations team in Abu Dhabi.

More information

Job Location : Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
City : Abu Dhabi
Company Name : First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)

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