Head of Scheme at BankservAfrica

PURPOSE

The payments ecosystem has evolved, and is continuing to rapidly do so, into new payment methods, channels, types, market segments, convergence, with increased complexity, new brands, new regulation, financial inclusion, digitization of cash etc.and with these market forces, the role of BankservAfrica as a primary and significant processor of transactions, is evolving to include that of payments scheme owner. 

Many countries are evolving their payments ecosystems to be better managed within a scheme construct (e.g. NPCI in India, domestic and international card schemes etc). Different payment types have varying objectives, membership criteria, brands and positioning, compliance, commercials and economics, solution and product parameters, operational structures etc. and these need to be encapsulated and managed within an appropriate scheme to ensure they thrive and grow whilst maintaining trust. 

You would be required to develop the strategy, execute the plan and manage the functional areas and components that constitute a scheme. Initially the focus will be on the BankservAfrica Rapid Payments Programme (under the brand PayShap) with expansion into other like programmes such as card. 

Key focus areas include leading, ownership and setting:

• Overall leadership and management of scheme and team
• Setting the overarching commercial frameworks and strategy
• Scheme governance frameworks
• Scheme membership rules, expectations, participation and management there-of
• Scheme operational standards
• Documenting and managing brand and mark guidelines 
• Setting the fraud, risk and related management requirements
• Management of the needed system operator requirements and representation 
• Ensure documented product and solution specifications

You will engage with the following stakeholders:

• Banks/Scheme participants
• Regulators (SARB, Pasa, Basa) 
• Financial service providers outside banks (e.g., insurance and assurance providers)
• Industry bodies and entities within the payments ecosystem (e.g. fintechs, retailers)
• Internal business units and Executive Management

Your key responsibilities include:

Scheme Ownership and Leadership 

• Ownership of the scheme strategy, plan and management there-of internally and externally; engage and lead internal cross-functional teams where needed to deliver on scheme components (as listed below e.g. product and operational specifications). 
• Engage the SARB, PASA and member banks as required on scheme strategy. 
• Demonstrate thought leadership and understanding of market opportunity the scheme serves.
• Identify gaps and mitigation plans; identify opportunities for growth.
• Develop and define the scheme membership criteria. 
• This includes membership types, minimum criteria and requirements, expectations and responsibilities, member access to documentation, scheme reporting, member structures, member agreements, legal and regulatory requirements, governance frameworks, member and scheme rules. 

Operational and Compliance Requirements 

• Define and ensure documented operational standards, requirements, SLAs, member onboarding and off-boarding processes; dispute and arbitration processes; internal and external reporting; monitor compliance across scheme requirements and ensure non-compliance remedies; billing processes are in place in line with scheme rules. 

Fraud and Risk Management 

• Work with relevant business units to ensure documented fraud and risk mitigation, prevention requirements, procedures, processes and remedies are in place; ensure data protection standards and requirements are in place.

Brand and Marketing 

• Ensure documented brand, communication and marketing guidelines / requirements / standards are in place. 
• Develop the strategy with marketing to build brand equity in the scheme brand, act as spokesperson and champion of the scheme bands.

Product and Solutions 

• Ensure all specifications, requirements, definitions, rules, mandates and standards are documented; develop the product and innovation roadmap with the product team to fit scheme strategy.

People 

• Mentor team members to ensure skills transfer and contribute to a positive team culture; ensure self and team stay abreast of industry developments; need to work closely with internal cross-functional teams and co-ordinate / lead where needed; ensure appropriate communication and updates to broader company and champion the scheme.

Commercial Construct 

• Set and manage the commercial constructs of the scheme (e.g., pricing and fees; membership fees based on type; minimum volume or value growth objectives; compliance and related penalties; joint customer / industry marketing or launch funding.)

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE

• Appropriate tertiary/business-related qualification preferred (Commerce, Legal)
• Banking, regulatory framework, payment industry knowledge, strategy development and implementation
• Required computer literacy levels 
• MS Office (Word/PowerPoint/Excel) 

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in Payments/Banking/Financial Services industry 
• Minimum 10 years’ relevant experience 
• Team leadership and senior management ability
• Ability to present with confidence and act as spokesperson
• Demonstrable commercial acumen
• Operational, market knowledge of financial services, payments regulatory environment