Payment Operations Lead Job at Klasha

Klasha makes it easy for African consumers to shop online. We build technology that allows African consumers to easily access the goods they want on the continent. We enable payments online in local African currencies and can handle the last-mile logistics for our retail partners too. Statistically, Africa is the future, so we believe consumers on the continent should have the same frictionless access to the global e-commerce economy as consumers in the West.

Klasha was founded in Lagos, Nigeria in 2018 and is backed by Techstars, Ginco Investments and a group of notable angel investors. Klasha is run by 20-somethings from five nationalities that speak six different languages between them. Klasha has offices in Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Payment Operations Lead

Job Location: Lagos
Job type: Full-time
Department: Finance

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the day-to-day operations & set up mechanisms/processes to monitor payment success rates 24/7 across banks, partners, merchants and improve the same through operational excellence.
• Monitor and manage payment processing systems to ensure optimal performance, identifying and resolving any issues that arise.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for payment operations, ensuring consistency and efficiency across all processes.
• Partner with product, and engineering to implement new payment products, expand capabilities and expand our functionalities across borders
• Identify and manage relationships with financial institutions, payment processors, and other key vendors/partners, ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met.
• Negotiate contracts with payment processors and other service providers to ensure favorable terms and conditions for Klasha as we expand to other geographies and improve our products.
• Ensure all payment operations comply with relevant regulatory requirements, including AML/KYC, data protection, and other financial regulations.
• Work closely with the compliance team to monitor and mitigate risks associated with payment processing, including fraud prevention and detection.
• Conduct comprehensive financial analyses to inform strategic business decisions and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Prepare financial reports and statements, ensuring timely and accurate communication of the company's financial position to relevant stakeholders.
• Gain exposure to treasury functions, enhancing understanding of cash management, investment and debt management, and risk mitigation.
• Conduct regular audits of payment processes and systems to ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement.
• Analyze payment data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for cost savings or process improvements.
• Lead initiatives to optimize payment processing costs, improve transaction speed, and enhance overall customer experience.
• Assist the Head of Finance in budget planning and management activities, including financial forecasting.
• Collaborate closely with the Reconciliation Specialist to ensure accurate and complete financial records, coordinating regularly to verify transaction data.
• Depending on organizational needs, may specialise in specific areas such as taxation, payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, etc. Responsibilities will adapt to accommodate these specializations as required.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in payment operations, financial services, fintech, or a related industry
• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Extensive experience with payment processing systems, gateways, and related technologies.
• In-depth knowledge of AML/KYC, data protection, and financial regulations related to payment processing.
• Strong understanding of payment routing, settlement processes, and reconciliation.
• Experience integrating payment systems with banks, processors, and third-party services.
• Proven experience in leading teams and functions.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present and explain financial information effectively.
• Understanding of the African payments ecosystem.