About Talent House Ltd

We are a leading recruitment and HR consulting firm that operates as a link between people and companies in achieving a shared purpose. We offer creative, effective, and flexible solutions that not only help individuals discover their career paths but also provide organisations with talent they can recruit, develop, and retain.

About the Role

Our client, Mighty Fin, is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Credit & Risk to lead the organisation's credit risk management function and oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of its credit governance framework.

The successful candidate will be responsible for driving sound credit decision-making, maintaining portfolio quality, developing risk management strategies, and ensuring lending operations align with the Company's risk appetite and business objectives. This role requires a commercially minded leader who can balance sustainable portfolio growth with prudent risk management within a fast-paced fintech environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Company's credit and risk management strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of credit policies, lending frameworks, and governance standards.
• Oversee credit underwriting standards and approval processes to ensure consistent and responsible lending decisions.
• Monitor portfolio performance, analyse risk exposure, and implement strategies to improve portfolio quality and minimise credit losses.
• Establish and maintain portfolio monitoring tools, risk dashboards, and executive reporting on key credit performance indicators.
• Identify emerging credit risks and recommend proactive mitigation strategies.
• Oversee credit analytics, risk modelling, and credit scoring methodologies to enhance lending decisions.
• Work closely with Collections, Finance, Operations, Compliance, and Technology teams to improve portfolio performance and recovery outcomes.
• Chair or participate in Credit Committee meetings and provide strategic recommendations to Executive Management.
• Ensure compliance with internal credit policies, regulatory requirements, and risk governance standards.
• Support product development initiatives by providing credit risk assessments for new lending products and services.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Credit & Risk team while fostering a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and present portfolio performance reports, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Banking, Economics, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field.
• Grade 12 Certificate.
• Minimum of seven (7) years' progressive experience in:
  • Credit Risk Management;
  • Banking;
  • Microfinance;
  • Fintech Lending;
  • Digital Financial Services; and
  • Portfolio Risk Management.
• At least three (3) years' experience in a leadership or management role.
• Strong understanding of the full credit lifecycle, including underwriting, portfolio management, collections, and recoveries.
• Proven experience developing and implementing credit policies and governance frameworks.
• Experience managing lending portfolios and monitoring portfolio performance metrics.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and commercial acumen.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as FRM, CFA, ACCA, CIMA, CRMP, or equivalent.
• Experience in digital lending, embedded finance, or fintech environments.
• Exposure to credit scoring systems, predictive analytics, and alternative credit assessment models.
• Experience serving on Credit or Risk Committees.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements governing lending institutions in Zambia.

Compensation

The incumbent will receive a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

• Develop and implement the Company's credit and risk management strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of credit policies, lending frameworks, and governance standards.
• Oversee credit underwriting standards and approval processes to ensure consistent and responsible lending decisions.
• Monitor portfolio performance, analyse risk exposure, and implement strategies to improve portfolio quality and minimise credit losses.
• Establish and maintain portfolio monitoring tools, risk dashboards, and executive reporting on key credit performance indicators.
• Identify emerging credit risks and recommend proactive mitigation strategies.
• Oversee credit analytics, risk modelling, and credit scoring methodologies to enhance lending decisions.
• Work closely with Collections, Finance, Operations, Compliance, and Technology teams to improve portfolio performance and recovery outcomes.
• Chair or participate in Credit Committee meetings and provide strategic recommendations to Executive Management.
• Ensure compliance with internal credit policies, regulatory requirements, and risk governance standards.
• Support product development initiatives by providing credit risk assessments for new lending products and services.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Credit & Risk team while fostering a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and present portfolio performance reports, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

• Strong understanding of the full credit lifecycle, including underwriting, portfolio management, collections, and recoveries.
• Proven experience developing and implementing credit policies and governance frameworks.
• Experience managing lending portfolios and monitoring portfolio performance metrics.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and commercial acumen.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Banking, Economics, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field.
• Grade 12 Certificate.
• Minimum of seven (7) years' progressive experience in: Credit Risk Management; Banking; Microfinance; Fintech Lending; Digital Financial Services; and Portfolio Risk Management.
• At least three (3) years' experience in a leadership or management role.
• Master's Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as FRM, CFA, ACCA, CIMA, CRMP, or equivalent.
• Experience in digital lending, embedded finance, or fintech environments.
• Exposure to credit scoring systems, predictive analytics, and alternative credit assessment models.
• Experience serving on Credit or Risk Committees.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements governing lending institutions in Zambia.