Assistant Vice President–Lead QA & Proofing Unit

Mashreq Bank

JOB DESCRIPTION

1

Job Title

AVP – Lead, QA & Proofing Unit

Department

Operations GRC

Direct Supervisor

Head – Internal Controls, Operations GRC

Job Number

2

Job Purpose

To lead the Quality Assurance and Proofing Unit under the Enterprise Reconciliation Framework (ERF), ensuring robust control oversight and assurance over reconciliation lifecycle activities across Operations and Business units. This role will provide independent validation, exception monitoring, and follow-up closure of outstanding reconciliation items. It will serve as the 1.5 Line of Defense, with an enterprise-wide mandate covering all reconciliation types (manual, semi-automated, automated) and platforms including TLM. The role ensures that reconciliation quality and closure processes are consistently applied and monitored, with clear escalation mechanisms.3

Dimensions

Scope of work

Oversight of enterprise-wide reconciliation proofing, covering

Nostro/Vostro

Inter-branch accounts

Sundry & suspense GLs

Internal accounts

VAT reconciliation

Independent review of reconciliation breaks across all platforms (automated/manual

Escalation and closure follow-up of breaks beyond T+3 days (auto) / agreed timelines (manual)

Thematic reviews, exception trend reporting, and root cause analysis

Service Level Management

Track adherence to reconciliation closure timelines (T+3, etc.)

Maintain performance dashboards with metrics across divisions and platforms

Set up QA KPIs aligned with ERF and Group Operations KRIs

Establish early warning triggers for high-risk or aging items

Quality Review

Monthly quality assurance sampling of reconciled items

Tracking accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of proofing controls

Raising exceptions to the CRU head and relevant BU operations for resolution

Conducting periodic health-checks aligned with audit and GRC guidelines

Key Interfaces

Internal

CRU head, Ops unit heads, Finance (CAD), Technology, Risk, Compliance

External

Audit (Internal & External), Regulators (for proofing expectations), IBG Ops Heads

Represent in Operations GRC Risk Councils, FROC and other governance forums

4

Key Result Areas

% of reconciliations reviewed as part of QA plan per quarter across all account categories

Reduction in aged unreconciled items (>180 and >360 days).

Reduction in outstanding >T+3 items across platforms

% adherence to reconciliation policy and internal controls.

No. of thematic issues identified and resolved via QA testing

Timely and accurate reconciliation attestation and proofing validations.

Platform enhancements delivered and automated rules adoption.

SLA adherence across business units and international/overseas branches.

Successful internal audit and risk reviews with minimal or no observations.

Quality of audit feedback for proofing-related controls

No overdue proofing validations.

5

Operating Environment, Framework and Boundaries, Working Relationships

Operates independently from the CRU but in close coordination

Enterprise-wide scope across Group Operations and Business Units

Covers both UAE and international operations including Egypt, Pakistan, India, and IBG branches

Maintains reporting line into GRC – not embedded within the CRU to preserve independent assurance role

Aligned with ERF governance manual, APPM, ORM Guidelines and reporting templates.

Works within a cross-functional, multi-country environment.

Expected to define and enforce centralized standards and controls while balancing local branch needs.

Works with constrained resources in a transformation phase and must effectively build team capacity.

Working Relationships

Directly interfaces with

Head of CRU and his leadership team

Matrix relationships with - Audit, Risk, Compliance, CAD & Tax teams

Operations GRC leads in Egypt, India, Pakistan

6

Problem Solving

Recommend remediation plans for recurring proofing issues.

Diagnose systemic control weaknesses across reconciliation processes and recommend design enhancements.

Address recurring break trends and implement data-driven remediation plans across business and product lines.

Resolve conflicts or accountability gaps between Operations, Finance, and Technology teams on account ownership and reconciliation execution.

Mitigate regulatory and audit risks related to unreconciled balances by ensuring preventive and detective controls are in place.

Identify pattern-based failures or non-adherence to reconciliation SLAs

Drive cross-functional resolution forums for persistent items

Challenge ownership decisions or business rationales where reconciliation breaks are not justified

7

Decision Making Authority & Responsibility

Escalate aging/unjustified open items directly to Head of OpEx & GRC or Head of Central Accounts.

Recommend suspension of automated recon processes if persistent QA failures occur

Approve monthly QA plans and thematic review scope

Raise and track Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) jointly with Operations heads.

Approve or Reject proofing certifications.

8

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Knowledge

Reconciliation platforms

Smart Stream / TLM, and other tools.

Operations risk, controls, and audit methodology

Regulatory reporting and reconciliation governance

Skills

Strong analytical and root cause analysis capabilities

Excellent stakeholder communication and escalation skills

Proficiency in dashboarding tools (Power BI/Tableau/Excel)

Team leadership and QA framework design

Experience

10+ years in operations/internal controls/reconciliation/assurance roles within banking

Originally posted on Himalayas