Quality Analyst

The Quality Analyst role in International Banking Operations is essential for maintaining control, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving process excellence across global transaction processing.

Here is a comprehensive Job Description (JD) for an International Banking Operations Quality Analyst (QA).

International Banking Operations Quality Analyst

Location: [City, Country] Department: Operations Risk & Control / Quality Assurance Reports To: Quality Assurance Manager / Head of Operations

Job Summary

The International Banking Operations Quality Analyst is responsible for conducting continuous quality assurance audits on core operational processes, including international payments, trade finance, and customer static data management. The primary function is to verify adherence to internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and mandatory regulatory controls (AML, KYC), identify process defects, analyze error trends, and recommend corrective actions to mitigate operational and financial risk in the bank's international activities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Quality Assurance and Auditing

• Execute QA Checks: Perform rigorous Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) checks on a statistically relevant sample of complex international transactions, specifically focusing on:

• International Payments: Reviewing SWIFT messages (MT103, MT202, etc.), payment routing, cover matching, and cut-off adherence.

• Trade Finance: Verifying document compliance for Letters of Credit (LCs) and collections against UCP 600, ISBP, and trade finance policies.

• Customer Lifecycle: Auditing new account opening (Day 2 Checks) and static data amendments to verify KYC/AML documentation completeness and accuracy.

• Error Identification and Categorization: Accurately identify, classify, and record errors (e.g., policy breach, control failure, process gap, system error) using the bank's designated quality assurance platform.

• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive and audit-ready documentation for all QA reviews conducted, findings, and subsequent corrective actions taken.

2. Risk and Compliance Monitoring

• Control Verification: Ensure that all operational activities comply with both internal control standards and external regulatory mandates (e.g., AML, OFAC, Sanctions, FATCA).
• Risk Escalation: Determine the risk level associated with identified process deviations and transaction errors, promptly escalating critical or high-risk findings (e.g., potential sanctions breaches) to the Compliance and Risk Management teams.
• Policy Governance: Collaborate with the Governance and Procedures teams to review and update SOPs, checklists, and process flows based on error trends and regulatory changes.

3. Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Data Analysis: Conduct detailed statistical analysis of QA data to identify systemic error root causes, recurring control weaknesses, and performance bottlenecks across various operational teams and jurisdictions.
• Management Information System (MIS): Prepare and present insightful quality dashboards and reports for Operations Management and Senior Stakeholders, highlighting quality scores, error rates, and risk exposures.
• Feedback and Training: Provide clear, constructive, and actionable feedback to Operations Officers, Team Leaders, and the Training department to address individual and team knowledge gaps and drive quality improvement initiatives.
• Process Enhancement: Act as a catalyst for change by suggesting specific, data-driven process enhancements, technology improvements, or automation opportunities to reduce manual errors and improve Straight Through Processing (STP) rates.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in International Banking Operations, specifically in Payments, Trade Finance, or Reconciliation.
• Minimum of 1+ years of experience in a dedicated Quality Assurance, Internal Control, or Audit-related role within the financial sector.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Technical Operations Expertise: In-depth working knowledge of SWIFT messaging (MT/MX), cross-border payment investigations, and international settlement mechanics.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Strong practical understanding of KYC/AML requirements and global sanctions (e.g., OFAC) as applied to banking transactions.
• Analytical Skills: Proven ability to analyze large sets of transactional data, identify trends, and use quality tools (e.g., Excel, BI tools) to generate conclusive reports.
• Attention to Detail: Exceptional meticulousness and a keen eye for detail are critical for identifying complex document discrepancies and data input errors.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documenting findings, providing coaching feedback, and presenting reports to senior management.
• Certifications (Preferred): Certification in a relevant area, such as Six Sigma, Certified Documentary Credit Specialist (CDCS), or Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).