Payment Specialist

Payment Processing and Disbursements

• Process supplier, staff, customer and inter-bank payments through the core banking system and relevant payment rails within defined cut-off times.
• Verify payment instructions for completeness, authorised approval, correct beneficiary details, account coding and availability of funds before release.
• Prepare and execute scheduled payment runs, standing orders and bulk payment files, ensuring totals agree to supporting schedules.
• Apply four-eyes / maker-checker controls on all payment transactions and escalate exceptions before release.
• Maintain and validate beneficiary and vendor bank details in accordance with the Bank's change-of-details verification procedure.

Payment Operations and Systems

• Monitor payment queues, gateway and channel activity throughout the day and action failed, pending, rejected or suspended transactions.
• Perform daily start-of-day and end-of-day routines for payment systems and confirm successful file transmission and acknowledgement.
• Support settlement processes with clearing houses, correspondent banks and payment service providers, including value-date monitoring.
• Log, track and follow up system incidents with IT and external providers until resolution, keeping affected units informed.
• Participate in user acceptance testing for changes, upgrades and new payment products or channels.

Reconciliation and Reporting

• Reconcile settlement and payment accounts daily and clear outstanding items within agreed ageing limits.
• Investigate and resolve payment differences, duplicates, returns, recalls and unapplied items.
• Prepare daily, weekly and monthly payment reports for the line manager.
• Maintain complete transaction records and supporting documentation for audit and regulatory inspection.

Risk, Compliance and Control

• Apply anti-money laundering, sanctions screening, fraud-prevention and know-your-customer requirements to all payment instructions.
• Escalate suspicious, unusual or high-value transactions in line with the Bank's escalation matrix.
• Comply with the Bank's policies and procedures, central bank directives and applicable payment scheme rules.
• Support internal audit, external audit and regulatory reviews by providing accurate information on a timely basis.

Service and Stakeholder Support

• Respond to payment enquiries from branches, business units, customers and correspondent banks within agreed service levels.
• Liaise with banks and payment providers on tracing, amendments, returns and charge queries.
• Provide handover notes and cover for colleagues during absence to maintain continuity of the payment function.

• Bachelor's degree in Banking, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field.
• Part qualification in CPA, ACCA or an equivalent professional certification is an added advantage.
• Minimum of one (1) year's experience in banking operations, payments, settlements or finance; graduates with strong internship exposure in a financial institution may be considered.
• Practical exposure to a core banking system and electronic payment channels.
• Working knowledge of local and international payment instruments, clearing and settlement processes.
• Understanding of AML sanctions screening and fraud-prevention requirements.
• Sound reconciliation and numerical skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard office applications.
• Good written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
• Accuracy and diligence under time pressure and fixed cut-offs.