Job description

The Senior Associate – Import Letters of Credit Issuance (Trade Finance Operations) at QNB, based in Doha, plays a critical role within the Operations division by supporting and executing end-to-end Import Letters of Credit (L/Cs) issuance activities in a highly regulated international banking environment. The role is responsible for ensuring the timely, accurate, and seamless processing of trade finance transactions while maintaining strict adherence to QNB Group policies, procedures, delegated authority limits, Service Level Agreements, and credit policies. The position operates in full compliance with International Chamber of Commerce Rules and applicable UCP rules governing Import Letters of Credit, with a strong focus on mitigating financial, operational, and reputational risks for the Group. The incumbent verifies the accuracy of all Import L/C transactions prior to authorization, including the opening, amendment, and cancellation of letters of credit, and ensures that all related SWIFT messages are correctly verified and processed. The role involves negotiating and dealing with complex letter of credit structures such as at sight, usance, transferable, and back-to-back letters of credit, requiring in-depth knowledge of foreign trade operations and trade finance instruments. In addition to transaction processing, the Senior Associate supervises officers within the Import L/C Issuance unit, monitors workflow efficiency, implements KPIs and best practices, and promotes cost consciousness, productivity enhancement, and waste minimization. The role requires preparing and providing periodic reports on issued and outstanding import letters of credit and margin positions to enable effective monitoring of workflow, income, and exposure. The position also serves as a key point of technical support for internal customers, assisting with queries related to Import L/C issuance, coordinating closely with other departments to improve service quality, and ensuring activities are delivered within agreed turnaround times. Furthermore, the role contributes to continuous improvement by recommending enhancements to policies and procedures related to letter of credit issuance and monitoring. A strong learning and knowledge component is embedded in the role, requiring the incumbent to stay abreast of changes to International Chamber of Commerce and UCP rules, proactively update staff, support professional development, assess team performance, address unresolved staff grievances, and ensure high standards of confidentiality when handling commercially sensitive information. Through these responsibilities, the Senior Associate directly supports QNB’s commitment to operational excellence, customer service quality, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth in trade finance operations.