Credit Officer

Key Responsibilities

• Credit Portfolio Management: Monitoring and reviewing the performance of credit accounts to ensure timely repayments and PaR of less than 10%.
• Loan Evaluation and Approval: Reviewing credit applications guided by established processes, credit policy, and the risk profile of the farmer, with an approval turnaround of less than 72 hours.
• Field Recovery Activities: Conducting on-ground field visits to customers in default, negotiating repayment plans, and resolving repayment challenges to achieve a minimum of 80% of monthly collection targets.
• Client Support and Engagement: Educating clients on repayment obligations, warranties, and consequences of non-payment while ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Loan Collection: Ensuring full installment is paid on due date, activating all dormant accounts in the portfolio, ensuring all regular payers do not miss payments, visiting all customers in arrears and demanding payments, and regularly calling all customers and making arrangements for payment plans.
• Collaboration: Working closely with commercial, technical, and cross-functional teams to provide tailored credit solutions and ensure compliance with credit policies and loan documentation.

Requirements and Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
• At least 4 years of experience in last-mile lending, preferably in microfinance or the SACCO sector.
• Strong analytical and financial modelling skills, with solid knowledge of credit risk assessment and financial products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in credit analysis tools, financial software, and MS Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and a good understanding of financial statements and accounting principles.
• Knowledge of industry regulations and compliance standards.