PFL Limited-Microfinance

LOAN OFFICER

Position Summary:

The Agricultural Loan Officer is responsible for growing and managing a healthy portfolio of micro- and small-enterprise loans for smallholder farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and local agribusinesses (e.g. input suppliers, aggregators). You will evaluate the creditworthiness of applicants by analyzing both their character and their specific agricultural production capacity. This role requires extensive field travel to farms and rural communities to conduct risk assessments, monitor crop/livestock progress, and ensure timely loan repayment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Business Development & Client Outreach

• Identify, market to, and recruit eligible smallholder farmers, farming groups, and agribusiness entrepreneurs.
• Conduct community sensitization meetings to explain agricultural loan products, interest rates, repayment structures, and financial literacy basics.
• Build strong relationships with local input suppliers, aggregators, and cooperatives to create a steady pipeline of referrals.

2. Loan Appraisal & Risk Assessment

• Travel frequently to rural and remote areas to conduct mandatory on-farm appraisals and verify applicant assets, land ownership/leasing rights, and character.
• Evaluate agricultural production capacity, analyzing factors such as water access, crop history, and farming practices.
• Perform structured financial analysis on irregular, seasonal cash flows to ensure the proposed loan matches the crop or livestock cycle.
• Assess market-specific risks, including climate volatility, local pest outbreaks, and price fluctuations for specific commodities.

3. Portfolio Management & Monitoring

• Prepare and present comprehensive loan appraisal reports to the Credit Committee for approval.
• Ensure timely disbursement of funds aligned precisely with the agricultural calendar.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits throughout the production cycle to track crop growth or livestock health, anticipating repayment hurdles before they happen.
• Manage loan collections and aggressively follow up on delinquent accounts, maintaining a Portfolio at Risk (PAR)

Technical Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Science, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• A combined background in agriculture and finance is highly preferred.

Required Experience

• Microfinance Foundation: A minimum of 2 years of direct experience working as a Loan Officer or Credit Officer within a Microfinance Institution (MFI) or a micro-lending commercial bank.
• Field Proven Track Record: Demonstrated experience working directly with rural, low-income populations and managing a portfolio of individual or group-based microloans.
• Agribusiness Exposure: At least 1 year of experience specifically handling agricultural lending portfolios, or a strong verified background in practical agronomy/agribusiness evaluation.

Core Competencies & Skills

• Seasonal Cash-Flow Analysis: Proven ability to analyze non-traditional, volatile financial streams.
• Motorcycle/Driving Proficiency: A valid driving/riding license and a proven willingness to ride a motorcycle or drive a 4×4 vehicle on rough, unpaved rural roads in all weather conditions.
• Proficiency in using tablets, mobile banking applications, or Field Automation Software for data collection and loan processing.

• Identify, market to, and recruit eligible smallholder farmers, farming groups, and agribusiness entrepreneurs.
• Conduct community sensitization meetings to explain agricultural loan products, interest rates, repayment structures, and financial literacy basics.
• Build strong relationships with local input suppliers, aggregators, and cooperatives to create a steady pipeline of referrals.
• Travel frequently to rural and remote areas to conduct mandatory on-farm appraisals and verify applicant assets, land ownership/leasing rights, and character.
• Evaluate agricultural production capacity, analyzing factors such as water access, crop history, and farming practices.
• Perform structured financial analysis on irregular, seasonal cash flows to ensure the proposed loan matches the crop or livestock cycle.
• Assess market-specific risks, including climate volatility, local pest outbreaks, and price fluctuations for specific commodities.
• Prepare and present comprehensive loan appraisal reports to the Credit Committee for approval.
• Ensure timely disbursement of funds aligned precisely with the agricultural calendar.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits throughout the production cycle to track crop growth or livestock health, anticipating repayment hurdles before they happen.
• Manage loan collections and aggressively follow up on delinquent accounts, maintaining a Portfolio at Risk (PAR)

• Seasonal Cash-Flow Analysis: Proven ability to analyze non-traditional, volatile financial streams.
• Motorcycle/Driving Proficiency: A valid driving/riding license and a proven willingness to ride a motorcycle or drive a 4×4 vehicle on rough, unpaved rural roads in all weather conditions.
• Proficiency in using tablets, mobile banking applications, or Field Automation Software for data collection and loan processing.

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Science, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• A combined background in agriculture and finance is highly preferred.
• Microfinance Foundation: A minimum of 2 years of direct experience working as a Loan Officer or Credit Officer within a Microfinance Institution (MFI) or a micro-lending commercial bank.
• Field Proven Track Record: Demonstrated experience working directly with rural, low-income populations and managing a portfolio of individual or group-based microloans.
• Agribusiness Exposure: At least 1 year of experience specifically handling agricultural lending portfolios, or a strong verified background in practical agronomy/agribusiness evaluation.