Agora Microfinance Zambia (AMZ) is a rural microfinance company that operates under a non-deposit microfinance licence from the Bank of Zambia. Currently, the company works with some 150,000 clients in all provinces of Zambia through 40 branches and a staff of 500. The company aims to expand and strengthen its operations, with a long-term goal of further national reach, strong financial and social performance, and overall contribution to the Zambian economy and society.

Job Purpose

The Risk Manager (RM) will establish a strong and independent Risk framework in the Company. The position will play a vital role in confirming a strong culture of risk identification, assessment, monitoring, and mitigation across all organisational functions. The role will support the business in enforcing risk management practices that ensure minimal financial loss.

Key Responsibilities

This will involve, amongst others, the following activities:

• Establish systems and processes for risk management, including setting up the department and developing relevant policies.
• Establish a risk management framework that identifies, assesses, monitors, and mitigates organisational risks, including credit risk, operational risk, reputational risk, liquidity risk, and compliance risks.
• Lead the establishment and enforcement of tools for assessment and monitoring, such as risk registers, risk control self-assessment, key risk indicators, stress testing, and scenario analysis.
• Analyse risks associated with new products, new market segments, and partnerships.
• Establish a high-quality team of risk officers that can continue strengthening the risk framework within the company.
• As this is a Senior Management role, establish relevant relationships with respective departments.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree in business, finance, economics, or a related field from a premier university.
• Full qualified ACCA, CIMA or ZICA.
• Paid-up member of ZICA.
• At least five years of experience in data-driven analysis, of which at least two years should be in a financial institution.
• Strong understanding of Risk Management in microfinance.
• Significant levels of energy, ambition, and enthusiasm.
• Strong, self-motivated leadership and supervision skills.
• Excellent analytical skills as well as the ability to design efficient processes/procedures.
• Excellent communication skills.

• Establish systems and processes for risk management, including setting up the department and developing relevant policies.
• Establish a risk management framework that identifies, assesses, monitors, and mitigates organisational risks, including credit risk, operational risk, reputational risk, liquidity risk, and compliance risks.
• Lead the establishment and enforcement of tools for assessment and monitoring, such as risk registers, risk control self-assessment, key risk indicators, stress testing, and scenario analysis.
• Analyse risks associated with new products, new market segments, and partnerships.
• Establish a high-quality team of risk officers that can continue strengthening the risk framework within the company.
• As this is a Senior Management role, establish relevant relationships with respective departments.

• data-driven analysis
• Risk Management in microfinance
• leadership and supervision skills
• analytical skills
• ability to design efficient processes/procedures
• communication skills

• Master’s Degree in business, finance, economics, or a related field from a premier university.
• Full qualified ACCA, CIMA or ZICA.
• Paid-up member of ZICA.