Role Summary
The Credit Risk Manager is responsible for the independent oversight, governance, and performance of the company’s credit portfolio.

This role ensures that all lending activities align with approved credit policies, affordability standards, and risk appetite, while proactively identifying, monitoring, and mitigating credit risk across the portfolio.

The role also includes ongoing training and development of Finance Officers to strengthen credit quality, consistency, and adherence to policy.

Key Responsibilities

1. Credit Risk Oversight & Approval Governance

• Provide independent review and oversight of credit applications above defined thresholds or identified as exceptions

• Challenge, escalate, or decline applications that do not meet policy, DSR, or affordability requirements

•   Ensure no disbursement occurs without proper risk validation

•   Maintain clear separation from sales and operational influence

2. Portfolio Monitoring & Risk Management

•   Monitor overall portfolio performance, including:

o Delinquency trends

o NPL ratios

o Arrears movement

o Write-offs and recoveries

•   Identify emerging risk patterns, concentration risks, and product weaknesses

•   Recommend corrective actions, including:

o Policy adjustments

o Tightening of lending criteria

o Exposure limits

3. Monthly Risk Reporting (MANDATORY)

Prepare and submit a Monthly Credit Risk Report to Senior Management covering:

•   Total portfolio exposure (by product, branch, and officer)

•   NPL ratio and trends

•   Exception approvals (volume, type, justification)

•   DSR breaches / affordability concerns

•   Top exposures and concentration risks

•   Policy breaches and audit findings

•   Early warning indicators and recommended actions

4. Policy, Compliance & Audit

• Develop, maintain, and update credit policies, SOPs, and assist to develop underwriting standards

•   Ensure compliance with:

o Internal controls 

o AML/CFT requirements

o Regulatory obligations

•   Maintain full audit trail of credit decisions and exceptions

•   Act as primary liaison for audit and regulatory reviews

5. Training & Development (CRITICAL FUNCTION)

•   Quarterly Training (Mandatory)

•   Conduct structured quarterly training sessions for Finance Officers covering: o Credit assessment fundamentals (DSR, affordability, income validation) o Common errors and audit findings

o Policy updates and changes

o Case study reviews (good vs poor quality deals)

o Fraud detection and red flags

•   Ongoing / Ad-Hoc Training

•   Provide real-time coaching and guidance on complex or borderline applications

•   Identify skill gaps and implement targeted training sessions

•   Support continuous improvement in credit quality and consistency

6. Exception Management & Governance

•   Maintain a centralised exception log

•   Review and validate all exceptions prior to approval

•   Ensure all exceptions are:

o Properly justified

o Approved at the correct authority level

o Fully documented

7. Data Integrity & System Controls

•   Ensure accuracy and completeness of data within Business Central (BC)

•   Validate that:

o All supporting documents are uploaded

o Key credit metrics are properly captured

•   Work with IT / Operations to improve automation and controls

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

•   Portfolio Delinquency Ratio within target (e.g. ≤ 3%)

•   NPL Ratio within target (e.g. ≤ 1–2%)

•   100% documentation and tracking of all credit exceptions

•   Monthly risk reports delivered accurately and on time

•   Reduction in policy breaches and audit findings

•   Improvement in quality of submitted credit applications

•   Completion of quarterly training sessions

Authority & Independence

•   Authority to challenge, return, or escalate any credit application

•   Authority to halt disbursement where policy or risk concerns exist

•    Operates with independent reporting line to maintain integrity of the risk function 

Qualifications & Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Banking, or a related field from a recognized institution (required)

•   A professional certification such as ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified

Accountants), CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), or equivalent (preferred)

• Postgraduate qualification (e.g. MBA, MSc in Finance, Risk Management, or a related discipline) will be considered an asset

•   Minimum of 7–10 years’ experience in credit risk, underwriting, lending

• Demonstrated strong knowledge of credit risk frameworks, financial analysis, affordability assessment, and portfolio risk management through effective evaluation of borrower profiles and loan performance metrics.

• Exposure to policy development, governance, and regulatory compliance would be an asset.

• Demonstrated experience in training, coaching, or mentoring staff in credit assessment, underwriting, or financial analysis

• Ability to design and deliver structured training sessions and provide ongoing performance feedback

•   Strong analytical, reporting, and communication skills

•   High level of professional independence and integrity

Key Competencies

•   Risk judgment and decision-making

•   Strong analytical thinking

•   Attention to detail

•   Ability to challenge constructively

•   Training and coaching capability

•   High ethical standards