Junior Originator

 

JUNIOR ORIGINATOR

Advancing Growth in Africa through Trade Finance

Company: Africa Global Trade Finance (AGTF)
Location: Somerset West, South Africa, with travel across AGTF offices and African markets as required
Reports To: Head of Transactions, or as otherwise determined by management
Functional Focus: Business development, origination, client relationship management, transaction screening, due diligence, credit process support and execution of structured trade finance transactions across African markets. 

ROLE SUMMARY

The Junior Originator is a client-facing front office role responsible for identifying, developing and converting suitable structured trade and commodity finance opportunities for AGTF across African markets. 

The role combines business development, client relationship management and transaction execution support, working across the full transaction lifecycle from lead generation and origination through due diligence, credit approval, documentation and execution. 

Working closely with clients, banks, introducers, investors and internal stakeholders, the successful candidate will help expand AGTF’s presence in target markets while ensuring opportunities remain aligned with the firm’s credit, compliance, risk and commercial objectives. 

This is primarily a business development and client relationship role within a trade finance environment. Success will be measured by the ability to build relationships, develop opportunities and contribute to transaction conversion while maintaining AGTF’s risk and compliance standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Business Development, Origination & Pipeline Management

• Generate new structured trade finance and commodity finance opportunities through client engagement, calls, emails, introducers, banks, trade bodies, conferences and industry events.
• Develop and maintain an active pipeline of prospective clients and transactions.
• Record and track leads, opportunities and transaction progress using AGTF’s agreed systems.
• Revisit previous prospects and opportunities where changing circumstances may create new business potential. 
• Support market engagement initiatives, roadshows and networking activities to increase AGTF’s visibility across Africa and internationally. 
• Prepare pipeline, origination and conversion reports for management review. 

2. Client & Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with prospective and existing clients.
• Engage with banks, introducers, investors, insurers and other market participants to identify and develop business opportunities. 
• Manage client engagement throughout onboarding, due diligence, credit approval and transaction execution processes. 
• Maintain relationships with key service providers including legal advisers, collateral managers, inspection companies and insurers. 
• Identify opportunities for additional AGTF products and financing solutions. 

3. Transaction Screening, Structuring & Execution Support

• Assess opportunities against AGTF’s strategy, risk appetite, compliance requirements and commercial objectives. 
• Conduct market, commodity, counterparty and transaction research.
• Assist in structuring trade finance transactions with appropriate controls, security and risk mitigants. 
• Support the preparation and negotiation of term sheets, offer letters and transaction documentation. 
• Work closely with Middle Office, Operations, Compliance, Legal and Finance teams to progress transactions through to execution. 

4. Due Diligence, KYC & Credit Process Support

• Coordinate client and transaction due diligence, including site visits where required. 
• Collect and organise supporting documentation to support transaction assessment.
• Obtain KYC information and coordinate onboarding requirements with the Compliance team. 
• Assist in the assessment of financial, operational, market and transaction risks. 
• Support the preparation of Sighting Papers, Credit Papers, Information Memoranda and annual review documentation.
• Assist in presenting opportunities to the Credit Committee. 

5. Portfolio Support & Ongoing Monitoring

• Support clients and internal teams once transactions become live. 
• Assist with client-specific queries, information requests and transaction monitoring activities.
• Escalate emerging risks, breaches or client concerns promptly and transparently. 
• Participate in client visits and ongoing relationship management activities. 

6. Reporting, Market Intelligence & Internal Coordination

• Maintain accurate pipeline, client and transaction records.
• Prepare weekly pipeline and business development reports.
• Contribute market intelligence and insights regarding prospective clients, sectors and jurisdictions. 
• Support internal discussions on market opportunities, introducers and strategic relationships. 

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS Essential

• 3-5 years’ experience in trade finance, commodity finance, structured trade finance, banking or a related financial services environment. 
• Experience in business development, client relationship management, origination or transaction execution.
• Strong networking and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Understanding of structured trade finance products and financing structures, including import finance, export finance, receivables finance, stock finance and related secured lending products. 
• Commercially minded, proactive and entrepreneurial, with the ability to identify and develop new opportunities. 
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Working knowledge of AML, KYC and sanctions requirements in a trade finance environment. 
• Ability to balance commercial objectives with sound credit judgement and risk discipline.
• Willingness to travel when required. 

Advantageous

• African trade finance market exposure.
• Experience working with commodity-backed transactions.
• Existing network of clients, introducers, banks or trade ecosystem participants.
• Experience presenting transactions to credit committees.
• Professional qualifications in banking, trade finance, credit, CFA or related disciplines. 

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in Finance, Business, Economics, International Trade or a related discipline. 

WHY JOIN AGTF?

• Join a growing specialist trade finance firm supporting meaningful trade across Africa.
• Play a front-office role in developing client relationships and originating transactions across African markets. 
• Gain hands-on exposure to transaction structuring, credit processes and cross-border execution. 
• Work closely with experienced professionals across Credit, Compliance, Operations, Finance and Front Office functions. 
• Develop your career in origination, structured trade finance and business development within a growing entrepreneurial environment. 

APPLY

If you are a commercially minded and relationship-focused professional with a passion for trade finance and business development, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV together with a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role.