Trade Finance Officer - LPO Financing & Invoice Discounting

About the role

Umba Microfinance Bank is launching two transaction-backed working-capital products for suppliers and contractors: LPO Financing and Invoice Discounting. It is looking for a Trade Finance Officer to build and run them. The officer originates, assesses, coordinates and monitors short-term facilities that help eligible businesses fulfil verified purchase orders and release cash tied up in genuine receivables, protecting the Bank through careful verification, disciplined credit processes and timely follow-up on recoveries.

Key responsibilities

• Build a qualified pipeline of suppliers and contractors serving public institutions and corporates, across energy, health, manufacturing, construction, agriculture and other sectors, and track leads, conversions and declines.
• LPO Financing: screen applications backed by valid LPOs, verify each order directly with the issuing entity, assess the supplier's capacity and cash flow, review quotations and recommend a facility structure, and coordinate controlled or milestone-based disbursement.
• Invoice Discounting: screen applications backed by genuine, outstanding invoices, confirm authenticity and balance with the buyer, check delivery notes, completion certificates and GRNs, and ensure receivables are not duplicated or pledged elsewhere.
• Compile customer files (KYC, company profile, bank statements, financials, order/invoice evidence), prepare transaction summaries and coordinate independent credit appraisal and approval.
• Coordinate facility letters, security documents, guarantees and assignments, and ensure customers receive clear disclosure of pricing, fees, tenor and repayment obligations.
• Monitor every facility through its lifecycle, keep accurate registers and audit trails, and produce monthly pipeline, disbursement, income and arrears reports.
• Work with Credit, Risk, Operations, Legal, Compliance, Finance and Technology under maker-checker controls, and comply with KYC/AML requirements.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom); Finance, Banking or Accounting option preferred.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in trade finance, SME or business lending, credit analysis, invoice discounting, supply-chain finance or relationship management.
• Proven ability to review financial and transaction documents, assess repayment sources and manage customer relationships.
• Good working knowledge of credit documentation, KYC/AML, lending controls and portfolio monitoring.
• Added advantage: hands-on experience of both LPO financing and invoice discounting, a professional qualification (CPA(K), ACCA, CIFA, AKIB) or trade finance certificate, a network of suppliers and contractors, knowledge of public procurement and IFMIS, experience with logbook-secured lending, CRB checks and core banking systems, and a valid driving licence.
• Clean integrity record, subject to background, CRB and police clearance checks.

Required skills

• Transaction analysis and risk awareness, including spotting altered or fraudulent documents and duplicate financing.
• Security and receivables: understanding of logbooks, guarantees, assignments, set-off and retention.
• Business development, execution, organisation, communication and digital/reporting skills (spreadsheets).