Credit penetration among retail individuals in most African countries is low given the poor penetration of credit bureaus and evolving maturity of alternate data to build credit footprints for borrowers. Furaha is addressing this by building a microlending platform that enables ‘purpose-driven’ loans to mass market customers across Africa, starting with Uganda as its first market. Furaha combines market-leading technology with a responsible lending approach, aiming to be a force for good to the individuals and communities it addresses.

Furaha is backed by SC Ventures (SCV), the innovation unit of Standard Chartered Bank.

Who We Are Looking For

The Credit Portfolio Manager at Furaha will support the implementation of credit policies and related credit procedures for Furaha loans, reviewing and identifying areas that need update and adjustment to ensure alignment with the agreed risk appetite and other requirements and to effectively manage the portfolio for optimum credit risk-return yield and growth.

This role can be based in Uganda or UAE as indicated in the job title. Please apply to the specific job advertisement based on your preferred location.

Role and Responsibilities

Portfolio Management, Performance analysis and Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• Analyze portfolio performance data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare regular reports on portfolio performance for senior management.
• Use financial models and tools to project future portfolio performance.
• Oversee the performance and risk management of a loan portfolio.
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize portfolio performance.
• Monitor and analyze portfolio metrics to identify trends and potential issues.
• Conduct risk assessments and credit analysis for existing and potential loans.
• Implement risk mitigation strategies to protect the portfolio from potential losses.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements

Strategy and Business

• Support the development of Furaha’s strategy in country along with culture based on purpose-driven business goals, continuous innovation, agility, empathy, and respect.
• Foster a culture of compliance and good conduct to establish the company as a model of strong governance amongst peers
• Support product development and third party partnerships that will complement the Furaha’s mission of purpose-driven loans.
• Remain abreast of relevant industry developments, including competitive changes, to inform strategy and business development.

Policy and Procedure Development

• Develop and maintain policies and procedures for portfolio management.
• Ensure all loan portfolio activities are conducted in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Execute and support in setting up various operational and transactional processes related to credit management and mitigation
• Implement business and governance review cadences as appropriate.
• Review reporting obligations to partner(s), regulator(s) and the shareholder(s); and assure accuracy and timeliness.
• Manage engagement with external stakeholders at the necessary regularity.

People and Talent

• Make the company a place that talented, ambitious, purpose-driven individuals aspire to work for
• Manage performance, wellbeing, and engagement by creating a culture of achievement and satisfaction.
• Role model the company values and behaviours, consistently promoting and reinforcing them.
• Conduct regular 1:1s and annual performance & development reviews to ensure a high level of performance and continuous coaching and feedback.

Governance, Regulatory and Business Conduct

• Ensure independence, timely responses and escalation of risks and issues where it is felt that risk tolerance of the company is exceeded.
• Oversee the development of controls for the Company for all risk types as set out in the relevant Risk Management Frameworks.
• Collaborate with other governance, risk, and compliance teams within the Group and SCV to anticipate horizon risks that may have a significant impact on the Company and support the development of effective strategies to mitigate such horizon risks, including global standards for conduct of business.
• Ensure swift remediation of any regulatory breaches or incidents
• Insofar as they relate to regulatory and financial crime compliance, ensure details of developments are provided giving rise to a material risk that serious regulatory breaches or breaches of risk tolerances (as agreed by the Board from time to time) may occur
• Display exemplary conduct and live by the Group’s and Furaha’s Values and Code of Conduct.
• Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct.
• Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate and resolve risk, conduct and compliance matters

Skills And Experience

• 6-10 years of relevant working experience in banking, payments, governance and leadership roles.
• Expert level credit analysis and understanding of risk management principles
• Expert level financial modeling and portfolio management software experience
• Previous experience in governance and/or risk management oversight in the financial industry
• Previous leadership experience with a financial institution or a fintech company
• Good experience with digital credit and lending technology
• Ability to collaborate and work dynamically across country, business and SCV stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the financial services sector, with sound judgment on business practices, regulatory framework and general risk management.
• Possess leadership qualities and able to lead the implementation of Furaha’s strategic initiatives
• Ability to build, train, develop and manage effective teams.
• Strong organizational skills and an orientation to deadlines and detail.
• Clear, concise and persuasive writing and presentation skills.
• Experience in or with early-stage Financial services entities involved in lending in Uganda will be a huge advantage.

Desirable Characteristics

• Imaginative and creative approach to how we do work. Curiosity about new technologies, workflows, and products.
• You enjoy working independently and are able to take informative decisions independently. You enjoy mentoring and teaching others to create a world class cohesive team
• Energy and desire to succeed; follows through on commitments; pushes self and others to deliver exceptional results.
• Ability to work across cultures and backgrounds is a must. Seeing things from multiple perspectives and being easy to work with.
• Ability to see things from multiple perspectives, as well as ask the question “why” continuously
• Tireless work ethic and enthusiasm to execute and get things done.
• Knowledge of the organization’s industry group, trends, directions, major issues, regulatory considerations, and trendsetters; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.
• Ability to understand geographically dispersed and highly varied customer and segment base.
• Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviours.