About the Role
The Head of Credit Risk and Compliance is responsible for leading Inkomoko’s second line of defense at the country and group levels, ensuring robust credit risk oversight, compliance, and portfolio resilience. This role provides technical leadership in risk strategy, portfolio diagnostics, stress testing, and regulatory compliance while ensuring alignment with global best practices and local regulatory frameworks. The Head integrates data-driven analytics, reporting, and governance systems to identify vulnerabilities and guide decision-making. Working closely with Investments, Product, and Systems teams, this role strengthens the organization’s credit discipline and embeds a risk-aware culture across operations.
Key Responsibilities
Portfolio Risk Analysis & Mitigation
- Lead credit risk strategy across the loan lifecycle, from client segmentation and underwriting to recovery strategy.
- Define and standardise portfolio monitoring practices including arrears management, restructuring frameworks, and write-off procedures across all markets.
- Conduct portfolio diagnostics, loss causation analysis, and vulnerability assessments across all markets.
- Design, implement, and maintain credit scoring models, risk rating systems, loan provisioning frameworks, and stress testing methodologies.
- Develop and manage scenario planning tools, early warning systems, and risk appetite thresholds.
- Provide actionable insights and recommendations for monthly risk committee reviews and leadership decision-making.
- Monitor portfolio risk appetite thresholds by segment, product, and geography, ensuring exposure remains within approved limits.
- Strengthen data governance and portfolio data integrity within credit systems to ensure accurate reporting and decision-making.
Data Integration, Analytics & Reporting
- Build and maintain risk dashboards, KRIs, and portfolio performance reports using Power BI, SQL, or similar tools.
- Integrate risk analytics into Inkomoko’s Core Banking System (Mifos), accounting, and reporting platforms.
- Champion the adoption of predictive analytics, credit scoring algorithms, and AI/ML-driven approaches to enhance decision-making.
- Standardize reporting formats and ensure timely delivery of risk intelligence to senior leadership and regulators.
Governance, Compliance & Second-Line Oversight
- Serve as a second line of defense, reviewing credit decisions, escalation protocols, and exceptions to policy.
- Operationalise and enforce the Group Credit Policy by translating policy principles into underwriting guidelines, documentation standards, and monitoring frameworks across all countries.
- Ensure full adherence to internal credit policies, AML/KYC frameworks, and country-specific regulatory requirements.
- Oversee loan provisioning, reconciliations, and compliance with IFRS9 and local financial regulations.
- Support audit preparedness and ensure transparent reporting to regulators, boards, and internal stakeholders.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Risk Culture
- Collaborate with Investments, Product Development, MEL, IT, and Legal teams to embed risk protocols into credit operations.
- Partner with the Director of Credit Risk & Analytics to align risk strategies with organizational growth, impact, and sustainability objectives.
- Support reporting requirements for regulators, donors, and internal governance structures by ensuring portfolio data and risk reporting meet required standards.
- Champion a risk-aware culture through training, communication, and knowledge-sharing across countries and departments.
- Serve as a key voice in risk committees and governance forums, ensuring effective challenge and independent oversight.
Team Leadership & Development
- Build, lead, and mentor a team of risk analysts and compliance specialists, ensuring clear KPIs and accountability.
- Recruit and develop talent through structured coaching, technical upskilling, and growth pathways.
- Design and deliver organization-wide training programs on credit risk management, portfolio monitoring, and compliance.
- Foster a high-performance culture that emphasizes proactivity, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Risk Management, Statistics, Data Science, or related field. (Master’s preferred).
- 10+ years of experience in credit risk, portfolio analytics, or financial risk roles in banking, fintech, or MFI settings.
- Hands-on experience designing credit scoring models, stress tests, and early warning frameworks.
- Proficiency in data tools such as Power BI, SQL, R, Python, or Tableau.
- Familiarity with Core Banking Systems (e.g., Mifos), and standards such as IFRS9, AML/KYC.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the Inkomoko recruitment portal on Workable at: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1172120
