Job description

Role purpose

Responsible for managing the portfolio to achieve risk-adjusted returns consistent with the Investment Policy Statement (IPS), regulatory requirements, and Asset–Liability Management (ALM) objectives; This will cover portfolio construction, security selection, execution, monitoring, reporting, and ongoing optimisation across approved asset class.

Key responsibilities

Portfolio Construction & Strategy

Develop and implement portfolio strategies aligned to the IPS, ALM position, liquidity needs, capital constraints, and target returns.
Construct and rebalance portfolios across approved asset classes (e.g., government securities, corporate bonds, money market, listed equities, collective investment schemes, alternatives where permitted).
Optimise duration, credit exposure, sector allocation and currency (if applicable) to meet liability profile and risk appetite.
Identify market opportunities and implement tactical positioning within approved limits.

Research, Security Selection & Due Diligence

Perform fundamental and quantitative analysis to support investment decisions (macro, rates, credit, equity valuation, issuer analysis, et.c.
Conduct due diligence on issuers, funds, brokers and counterparties; maintain approved list and monitor exposures.
Prepare investment notes and recommendations for the Board and Management Investment Committee as required.

Trade Execution & Market Engagement

Execute trades in line with mandates, best execution principles, dealing policies and delegated authorities.
Build and maintain relationships with market counterparties (banks, brokers, fund managers, custodians, rating agencies) to access liquidity and market intelligence.
Ensure accurate trade capture, confirmations, and settlement instructions in collaboration with Operations/Custody.

Risk Management, Compliance & Controls

Monitor portfolio risks (market, credit, liquidity, concentration, duration, counterparty) and ensure adherence to limits and regulatory investment guidelines.
Ensure compliance with internal policies (IPS, dealing, conflicts of interest, related party rules) and relevant regulatory authorities, i.e, IRA, CMA.
Support stress testing, scenario analysis and ALM reviews; implement corrective actions where required.

Performance Measurement & Reporting

Track performance versus benchmarks and objectives; attribute returns and explain drivers (allocation, selection, carry, duration, credit spread moves).
Produce periodic investment reports for management, the Investment Committee and Board (performance, risk, compliance, ESG where applicable).
Ensure accurate valuation inputs and collaborate with Finance on month-end processes, IFRS 9 classifications (where applicable), and investment income forecasting.

Stakeholder Management

Partner with Actuarial, Risk, Finance and Business Units to align investment strategy to product guarantees, reserving assumptions and liquidity needs.
Support audits, regulatory engagements and internal assurance reviews by providing timely data, documentation and responses.

Qualifications

Experience Requirements

5–8 years’ experience in portfolio management, treasury, investments research, or asset management (financial services environment).
Demonstrated experience managing fixed income and/or multi-asset portfolios, with clear understanding of benchmarks and performance attribution.
Experience in an insurance investment environment (ALM, liquidity management, regulatory investment limits) is an added advantage.

Academic Qualifications and Certifications

Must- Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Actuarial Science, Accounting, Mathematics/Statistics, or related field.
Strong understanding of financial markets, fixed income instruments, and investment risk management.

Nice to Haves (as added advantage)

CFA (Level II/III) or progress toward CFA is an added advantage.
FRM or other recognised risk qualification is an added advantage.
Postgraduate qualification (MBA/MSc Finance) is an added advantage.

Key Technical Skills and Leadership Competencies

Investment regulatory framework

Knowledge of investment regulations, admissible assets, concentration limits, and governance requirements.
Strong understanding of ALM concepts (duration matching, liquidity, stress testing, solvency/capital impacts).
Familiarity with capital markets regulations and dealing/market conduct standards.

Technical Skills

Portfolio construction, asset allocation and rebalancing techniques.
Fixed income analytics (duration/convexity, yield curves, spread risk) and credit analysis.
Equity research and valuation; macro and market analysis.
Performance measurement, attribution, and benchmark management.
Strong Excel/financial modelling; proficiency with portfolio/dealing systems and data tools (e.g., Bloomberg/Refinitiv or equivalents where available).

Leadership & Behavioural Competencies

High integrity and strong risk and controls mindset.
Sound judgement under uncertainty; disciplined decision-making.
Strong stakeholder management and communication (ability to explain performance, risk and strategy to non-technical audiences).
Analytical, detail-oriented, and accountable for outcomes.

How to Apply

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Portfolio Manager Equities Job Equity Bank, Nairobi, Kenya