Loan Officer

Job Description:

Reporting to:     Branch Manager

Loan Product:   Short-term (1 month) MSME working capital loans

Main Duties:

Portfolio Growth:
Actively market to and onboard clients to meet monthly disbursement and portfolio-at-risk (PAR) targets.
Build and grow a sustainable, high-performing loan portfolio.

Credit Assessment:
Conduct thorough field visits (business and home) to verify the character and cash flow of applicants for 30-day credit cycles.
Perform thorough business and home visits to validate information.

End-to-End Management:
Compile credit files, analyze financial data, and present loan requests for approval, ensuring all security documentation is in order.

Aggressive Collections:
Monitor daily/weekly/monthly repayments and lead recovery efforts for both performing and non-performing loans to maintain a healthy portfolio.

Leadership & Mentorship:
Train and shadow junior Loan Officers in the field to improve their prospecting, appraisal, and negotiation skills.
Assist the Branch Manager in achieving overall branch targets.

Compliance & Reporting:
Maintain up-to-date physical and digital loan files; prepare accurate daily /weekly performance reports for the Branch Manager.
Maintain confidentiality and high ethical standards.

Market Intelligence:
Stay updated on local market trends and competitor activities within the Eastern region to advise management on product adjustments.

Qualifications & Experience

Education:         Degree or Diploma in Business Administration, Finance, Microfinance, or a related field.

Experience:        Minimum 3 years of active experience in a Microfinance (MFI) or Credit-only institution.

Product Knowledge:      Specific experience with short-term (one month) micro-loans and MSME lending is highly preferred.

Tech Savvy:        Proficient in MS Office and comfortable using Loan Management Systems (LMS).

Local Knowledge:           Familiarity with the business landscape of Kitui and Machakos towns and their environs is an added advantage.

Key Competencies

·       Credit Risk Analysis:   Ability to spot "red flags" in informal businesses.
                                       Excellent negotiation and debt recovery skills.

·       Debt Recovery:             Proven "street-smart" negotiation and persuasion tactics.      

·       Financial Literacy:       Understanding of basic accounting and cash flow.

·       Resilience:       High energy for field-based work and self-motivated.

·       Integrity:           Unquestionable honesty (Clean Police Clearance is a must).

·       Leadership:     A natural ability to motivate and guide juniors.