REIT Liaison Officer

HFCB Kenya Limited is a financial institution established in 1965, offering a range of banking and financial services.

The REIT Liaison Officer at HFCB Kenya Limited is responsible for acting as the Trustee's designated representative within the Custody Department, providing crucial support in the oversight of the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). This involves diligently monitoring and coordinating all REIT-related activities to ensure strict adherence to the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Act, REIT Regulations, the Trust Deed, Offering Documents, and other applicable legal frameworks. Beyond REIT oversight, the role also encompasses responsibilities as a Relationship Manager for Custodial Services. This includes managing client relationships, ensuring high satisfaction and retention for institutional clients, pension funds, and asset managers. The officer will coordinate the onboarding of new custodial clients, monitor client accounts and transactions for seamless service delivery, identify business development opportunities, and proactively resolve client concerns. They will also liaise with various internal and external stakeholders, ensure accurate client reporting and communication, and support compliance reviews and due diligence processes for custodial clients.

1. Monitor REIT operations and activities to ensure compliance with the CMA Act, REIT Regulations, Trust Deed, Information Memorandum/Prospectus, and industry best practices.
2. Maintain a comprehensive compliance monitoring framework and checklist for all Trustee oversight obligations.
3. Review periodic compliance reports submitted by service providers and identify and escalate actual or potential regulatory breaches.
4. Track remedial actions and ensure timely closure of compliance findings.
5. Support the Trustee in carrying out its fiduciary duties under the Trust Deed and applicable regulations.
6. Monitor the activities of the REIT Manager, Property Manager, Fund Administrator, Custodian, Valuers, and Auditors.
7. Review Trustee reports, management reports, and performance reports, ensuring Trustee records are maintained accurately and securely.
8. Maintain an action log for Trustee matters and follow up on implementation.
9. Coordinate Trustee meetings and stakeholder engagements, preparing meeting packs, agenda papers, minutes, and action trackers.
10. Review board and committee papers submitted by the REIT Manager and prepare periodic Trustee monitoring and compliance reports.
11. Coordinate the submission of statutory and regulatory reports as required.
12. Review periodic financial statements and operational reports of the REIT.
13. Monitor key performance indicators and financial covenants, reviewing distribution calculations and investor payment schedules.
14. Monitor asset acquisition and disposal transactions to ensure compliance with approved mandates and regulatory requirements.
15. Follow up on material issues affecting REIT performance.
16. Act as the day-to-day Trustee contact point for all REIT-related matters, liaising with the Capital Markets Authority, REIT Manager, Custodian, Property Managers, Auditors, Legal Advisors, Valuers, and Consultants.
17. Facilitate information sharing between stakeholders and the Trustee.
18. Monitor risks arising from REIT operations, escalating significant operational, financial, legal, compliance, and reputational risks.
19. Maintain a register of key Trustee observations and risk issues, tracking the implementation of risk mitigation actions.
20. Maintain complete Trustee files and records, ensuring the safekeeping of Trust Deeds, regulatory approvals, material contracts, compliance certificates, board resolutions, valuation reports, and audit reports.
21. Provide regular updates to the Head of Custody Services on all REIT matters and escalate matters requiring Trustee decisions.
22. Support the preparation of reports for Trustee Committees and Management.
23. Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned custodial services clients, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and retention.
24. Develop and maintain strong relationships with institutional clients, pension funds, asset managers, and other custody clients.
25. Coordinate the onboarding of new custodial clients, ensuring all account opening requirements, regulatory documentation, and internal approvals are completed promptly.
26. Monitor client accounts and transactions to ensure seamless service delivery and compliance with service level agreements (SLAs).
27. Identify opportunities to deepen existing client relationships through the promotion of additional custody, trustee, REIT-related, and capital market services.
28. Proactively address client concerns, complaints, and operational issues, coordinating with internal departments for timely resolution.
29. Ensure clients receive accurate and timely reports, statements, market updates, and regulatory communications.
30. Ensure all client relationships and transactions comply with applicable regulatory requirements, internal policies, and custody service standards.

1. Bachelor’s Degree in a business-related field.
2. Over four (4) years of operations experience in the banking industry.
3. Possession of one or a combination of the following qualifications: CISI Qualification, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), ACCA, Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (CIFA), Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (Level 3 and above), ICSA/Corporate Governance Certification, or Risk Management or Compliance Certification.
4. Strong technical knowledge of REIT Regulations, CMA Rules and Regulations, and Trustee fiduciary responsibilities.
5. Understanding of custody and fund administration operations, investment, and financial reporting.
6. Proven risk management and compliance monitoring skills.
7. Strong analytical skills and excellent report writing abilities.
8. High level of integrity and professionalism.
9. Meticulous attention to detail.
10. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
11. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
12. Good organizational and planning skills.
13. Sound judgment and problem-solving abilities.