Exciting Career Opportunity: Credit Risk Officer - Dawakin Kudu MFB at CredPal

Are you a highly analytical financial professional with a keen eye for risk assessment and compliance? CredPal is seeking a dedicated and experienced Credit Risk Officer to join our team at the Dawakin Kudu Microfinance Bank (MFB) in Kano State. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your career with an innovative financial technology platform that is revolutionizing access to credit.

About CredPal

CredPal is an innovative financial technology solution designed to simplify the complex loan approval processes that have historically held millions of people back from achieving their goals. We believe that overall quality of life can be drastically improved if individuals can easily purchase products and pay over time at their convenience with minimal financial stress, thereby increasing their purchasing power and financial independence.

Role Purpose

The successful candidate will oversee the Bank's credit risk management framework while actively supporting internal audit and regulatory compliance activities. This is a critical role responsible for assessing credit risk, ensuring strict adherence to the Bank's internal credit policies and external regulatory guidelines, conducting strategic portfolio reviews, and safeguarding the overall quality of the Bank's assets.

Key Responsibilities

As the Credit Risk Officer, your primary duties will include:

Credit Risk Management

Conduct comprehensive credit appraisals and analytical risk assessments for loan applications in strict accordance with the Bank's Credit Policy.
Evaluate borrowers' financial capacity, collateral coverage, repayment capability, and overall creditworthiness.
Recommend loan approvals, adjustments, or declines based on thorough risk analysis.
Monitor the Bank's overall loan portfolio and identify emerging credit risks.
Track Portfolio at Risk (PAR), Non-Performing Loans (NPLs), and other key risk indicators, recommending proactive mitigation strategies.

Portfolio Monitoring & Recovery

Conduct periodic, systematic reviews of the active loan portfolio to verify ongoing credit quality.
Monitor early warning signals and recommend swift, proactive interventions.
Support and guide recovery activities on delinquent and classified loans.
Ensure timely completion of loan reviews and deliver comprehensive portfolio performance reports.

Internal Audit & Operational Reviews

Carry out periodic internal control reviews across all branch operations.
Assess and audit compliance with all approved operational policies and procedures.
Identify structural control weaknesses and recommend effective corrective actions.
Follow up on previous audit findings to ensure swift resolution.
Prepare professional audit reports and present constructive findings to management.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

Monitor absolute compliance with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Guidelines for Microfinance Banks, AML/CFT regulations, KYC requirements, and internal policy frameworks.
Support the preparation of regulatory reports and represent the team during regulatory examinations.
Ensure credit operations stay aligned with approved policies and delegated authority levels.

Reporting & Risk Management

Prepare and deliver detailed weekly and monthly credit risk and audit reports.
Maintain the Bank's active risk register and monitor the implementation of approved mitigation protocols.
Recommend strategic improvements to the existing risk management frameworks and promote a positive compliance culture.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Your performance in this role will be measured by:

Portfolio at Risk (PAR) and Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratios.
Credit appraisal quality and review turnaround time.
The speed and efficiency of internal audit review completion.
Compliance with CBN regulations and the resolution of compliance exceptions.

Requirements and Qualifications

To be considered for this role, you must meet the following criteria:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Banking, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline.
Experience: Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience in Credit Risk, Internal Audit, Risk Management, or Compliance within a Microfinance Bank (MFB).
Regulatory Knowledge: Solid understanding of CBN Guidelines for Microfinance Banks, prudential guidelines, AML/CFT regulations, and general risk management frameworks.
Analytical Skills: Outstanding investigative, analytical, and report-writing skills, alongside proficiency in Microsoft Excel and core banking software.
Location: Candidates must reside in Kano State, with a strong preference for individuals living within or around Dawakin Kudu and its environs.
Certifications: Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., ACA, ACCA, MCIB, CRMP, CISA, CIA) will be considered a strong advantage.