Job Summary

To support the MD of Absa Bank of Uganda by providing high-level assistance in all aspects of the business and strategic management in order to ensure that the MD operates efficiently.
This includes working with the Country Management Committee (CMC) to ensure that requests from the MD are delivered.

Job Description

Managing Director Support:

• Provides organizational, administrative and logistical support to the Managing Director of Absa Bank Uganda in all aspects of the business and strategic management in a way that enhances the effective management of the Organization.
• Provide support to the Chief of Staff and Strategy in the execution of their mandate and provide cover where required
• Ensure tracking and follow through of all actions from various Governance forums impacting the effectiveness of the Managing Director s office

Strategy Formulation and Execution.

• Assists in preparing Absa Bank Uganda’s strategic plan.
• Understands the Absa Bank Uganda’s strategy and helps develops appropriate solutions to enable execution.
• Identifies business problems and provides recommendations for improvement.
• Determines and executes key business initiatives that will drive business operations.
• Coordinates cross functional teams to improve business planning methods. Stakeholder Engagement
• Develops a stakeholder engagement plan that is linked to Absa Bank Uganda’s business plan priorities and that identifies the specific requirements of each stakeholder group.
• Maintains stakeholder relationships through regular communication through the defined lines of communication.

Executive Support

• Manages the diary of the Managing Director in an efficient manner in line with the Managing Director’s priorities, including booking of venues, preparation of relevant meeting materials, arranging travel and taking minutes where required.
• Oversee the planning and execution of the Managing Director’s office events including town halls, road shows, employee discussion forums, product launches, customer entertainment events and formal functions.
• Prepare presentations for the Managing Director by researching and packaging detailed content.
• Contribute to the overall communications and events calendar, identifying opportunities & generating ideas to ensure Absa Uganda strategic messages are delivered at all events involving the Managing Director

Risk, Governance and Control

• Collaborate with Marketing and Corporate Relations to develop and deliver strategy for reputation risk management.
• Manages the process for handling all issues, queries or complaints received by the Managing Director. Obtains and validates information; researches and originates replies liaising with relevant stakeholders within the Bank as appropriate and ensuring appropriate resolution.
• Maintains electronic and manual filing systems adhering to record management guidelines and policies.

Operational Support

• As the first point of contact for the Managing Director’s office, demonstrates professional demeanor and role models the Absa values when interacting with all stakeholders, especially in high pressure situations.
• Acts as the initial point of entry for escalated client queries. Redistributes the resolution or responds directly to stakeholders where appropriate and reports only major issues to the Managing Director.
• Takes personal accountability for ensuring all complaints lodged directly with the Managing Director are resolved.
• Maintains an updated view of priority projects and initiatives underway in the Managing Director’s office and regularly updates the Managing Director on progress, risks and issues.
• Support the Managing Director’s management including establishing regular team and 1:1 interaction for direct reports on topics including performance, development and general engagement.
• Manages the general office administration including ordering of stationery, groceries, and restoring printers.
• Manages travel, cell phone and expense claims including responsibility for controlling signatures, taking policy into account, urgency and effecting timeous forwarding of documents in line with policy.

Secondary Responsibility

• Acts as the deputy for the role of Chief of Staff and Strategy.

Job Requirements

Essential

• Strategic approach with focus on the ‘big picture’ but a pragmatic approach to handling issues to manage time split etc
• In-depth business awareness and thorough understanding of financial services sector & the communities in which we operate.
• Comprehensive understanding of the structure, scope & activities of the Barclays Africa and to a lesser extent Barclays Group.
• Proven ability to understand and identify problems associated with reputational risk and brand impact of issues/situations.
• Confidence, discretion, and a collaborative mindset.

Preferred:

• Good understanding of broader regulatory environment including relevant codes of practice
• Professional knowledge of internal & external communications disciplines
• Understanding of risk policies & procedures

Education and experience required:

• A Bachelors’ degree in relevant field of study.
• At least 5 years’ experience in administration/public relations at a senior level
• A good understanding of the Banking industry, or experience in international organizations or multinational private sector and the communities in which the bank operates.
• Demonstrable experience in an administration/executive assistant/PA role in a highly pressurized environment requiring tact, judgment and discretion in handling internal and external contacts;
• Professional knowledge of internal and external communication disciplines.
• Ability to work independently and with professional discretion.
• Experience of diary management/researching and booking of travel and accommodation; · Experience of successfully working with senior management
• Experience in preparation of management papers.
• Must be proficient with the keyboard and IT applications;
• Excellent typing skills- Good computer literacy, speed and accuracy are essential. (MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong stakeholder management skills

Competencies

• Relating and networking
• Persuading and influencing
• Learning and researching
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Adapting and responding to change
• Deciding and initiating action
• Management and self-leadership

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)