EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

VACANCY: CREDIT & RISK OFFICER

Fair Choice Finance Limited invites applications from suitably qualified, experienced and results-oriented individuals for the position of Credit & Risk Officer.

JOB PURPOSE

The Credit & Risk Officer will support the effective management of the Company’s credit portfolio through credit analysis, loan administration, regulatory reporting, CRB and insurance submissions, loan reconciliations, outright settlements and refunds.

The role will also be responsible for ensuring that all credit activities are undertaken in accordance with the Company’s Credit Policy, applicable regulatory requirements and established internal controls.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Evaluating loan applications and assessing applicants’ creditworthiness in accordance with the Company’s Credit Policy and approved lending criteria.
• Processing loan applications and supporting documentation within prescribed turnaround times.
• Computing outright loan settlements and ensuring fully settled loans are appropriately closed.
• Computing customer refunds accurately and facilitating timely processing of approved refunds.
• Maintaining complete, accurate and up-to-date loan and customer records.
• Preparing monthly Credit Reports and quarterly credit inputs for Bank of Zambia prudential reporting.
• Conducting regular reviews of loan accounts to support portfolio quality, arrears management and reduction of bad debts.
• Undertaking monthly CRB submissions and ensuring customer credit information is accurately and promptly updated.
• Reviewing CRB information and other relevant external credit information as part of the credit assessment process.
• Preparing and submitting monthly loan information to the relevant insurance provider to ensure eligible loans are appropriately covered.
• Processing insurance submissions relating to early settlements, refunds and claims.
• Undertaking weekly and monthly system integrity checks to ensure credit systems operate according to approved parameters.
• Reconciling loans sold/disbursed and ensuring accurate monthly loan records.
• Ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, lending guidelines, internal policies and procedures.
• Preparing accurate management, regulatory and portfolio reports within stipulated deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Applicants should possess:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Economics with Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management or another relevant discipline from a recognised university.
• A Grade 12/School Certificate with five (5) credits or better, including English and Mathematics.
• At least four (4) years’ relevant post-graduate work experience, preferably within banking, microfinance or another financial institution.
• Relevant experience in credit analysis, loan administration, credit risk management or lending operations.
• Sound understanding of lending products, credit assessment processes and credit risk management practices.
• Experience working with Credit Reference Bureaus, insurance submissions and regulatory reporting will be an added advantage.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and familiarity with banking/loan management systems.

KEY COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good planning, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong report-writing and communication skills.
• Ability to analyse loan portfolios and identify emerging credit risks.
• Good interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• High levels of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and respond effectively to assignments at short notice.
• Sound knowledge of debt management and collection practices.

• Evaluating loan applications and assessing applicants’ creditworthiness in accordance with the Company’s Credit Policy and approved lending criteria.
• Processing loan applications and supporting documentation within prescribed turnaround times.
• Computing outright loan settlements and ensuring fully settled loans are appropriately closed.
• Computing customer refunds accurately and facilitating timely processing of approved refunds.
• Maintaining complete, accurate and up-to-date loan and customer records.
• Preparing monthly Credit Reports and quarterly credit inputs for Bank of Zambia prudential reporting.
• Conducting regular reviews of loan accounts to support portfolio quality, arrears management and reduction of bad debts.
• Undertaking monthly CRB submissions and ensuring customer credit information is accurately and promptly updated.
• Reviewing CRB information and other relevant external credit information as part of the credit assessment process.
• Preparing and submitting monthly loan information to the relevant insurance provider to ensure eligible loans are appropriately covered.
• Processing insurance submissions relating to early settlements, refunds and claims.
• Undertaking weekly and monthly system integrity checks to ensure credit systems operate according to approved parameters.
• Reconciling loans sold/disbursed and ensuring accurate monthly loan records.
• Ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, lending guidelines, internal policies and procedures.
• Preparing accurate management, regulatory and portfolio reports within stipulated deadlines.

• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good planning, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong report-writing and communication skills.
• Ability to analyse loan portfolios and identify emerging credit risks.
• Good interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• High levels of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and respond effectively to assignments at short notice.
• Sound knowledge of debt management and collection practices.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and familiarity with banking/loan management systems.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Economics with Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management or another relevant discipline from a recognised university.
• A Grade 12/School Certificate with five (5) credits or better, including English and Mathematics.
• At least four (4) years’ relevant post-graduate work experience, preferably within banking, microfinance or another financial institution.
• Relevant experience in credit analysis, loan administration, credit risk management or lending operations.
• Sound understanding of lending products, credit assessment processes and credit risk management practices.
• Experience working with Credit Reference Bureaus, insurance submissions and regulatory reporting will be an added advantage.