Country Risk Manager – Kuwait.Kuwait - Credit Documentation.Risk Management

Role Overview

Country Risk Manager – Kuwait at Mashreq, based in Kuwait. This role leads the country-level Risk Management function and oversees credit documentation and risk management across all risk classes.

Company Overview

Mashreq is a financial institution operating with Group Risk, Head Office (HO) Risk, and regional management oversight (MANCO) structures that establish international best practices and governance frameworks.

Role Purpose

Lead the country-level Risk Management function for Mashreq Kuwait, ensuring compliance with local regulations, Mashreq Group standards, and international best practices. Build and lead a strong risk organization, collaborate with senior management and Group Risk to support strategic objectives, and serve as the focal point for country-level ESG and climate risk matters.

Key Responsibilities

Governance & Risk Oversight

• Lead coordination and management of governance across all risk classes for Mashreq Kuwait in coordination with Head Office Risk.
• Establish the local Risk Management Committee where applicable and oversee its Charter, Terms of Reference, and meeting minutes.
• Maintain local risk management related policy and process notes where applicable and handle regulatory requirements.
• Serve as focal point for managing day-to-day risk activities in collaboration with Head Office Risk.

Risk Framework & Compliance

• Implement the International Risk Management framework.
• Maintain, report, and monitor Level 3 Country Risk Appetite where applicable.
• Support Business and support function coordination pertaining to Enterprise risk management and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with risk management related regulatory guidelines and BASEL requirements.
• Provide guidance and support to the local team on RCSA design, sample testing, and monitoring implementation; bridge between Operational Risk Management at Head Office and the Branch; escalate to Head Office Operational Risk Management; and conduct trainings.

Risk Reporting & Analysis

• Design risk reporting to the Risk Committee(s) or Designated Committee(s) to convey bank-wide, individual portfolio, and other risks in a concise and meaningful manner in accordance with Head Office Risk guidelines and policies.
• Accurately communicate risk exposures and results of stress tests or scenario analyses.
• Promptly present material risk-related ad-hoc information requiring immediate decisions or reactions to Senior Management, Head Office Risk, the Risk Committee or Designated Committee(s), responsible officers, and Heads of Control Functions where applicable.
• Keep the Risk Committee(s), Designated Committee(s), and Senior Management apprised of the assumptions used in and potential shortcomings of the Bank's risk models and analyses.
• Oversee Branch's risk indicators implementation and support audit readiness.

Credit Portfolio Management

• Monitor and analyse credit portfolio performance, including delinquency, loss rates, covenant compliance, collateral valuations, exception reporting, and identification of early warning signals and adverse trends.
• Oversee Branch credit bureau related review, provide support, and follow up for issue resolutions.

Credit Administration & Documentation

• 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.
• Provide credit administration and analytical support for credit policy formulation, product management, loss forecasting, portfolio reporting, and regulatory reporting requirements.

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with credit policies, regulatory requirements, and internal procedures, including oversight of limit excesses and irregularities.
• Maintain credit policies and procedures.
• Support capital adequacy and stress testing activities.

ESG & Climate Risk

• 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.