Head of Regional Credit Approvals & Portfolio Management at NCBA Group

Job Purpose Statement

To support the Group Director, Credit Risk Management in developing and implementing a prudent credit risk framework in support of the bank’s objectives of building a balanced credit risk portfolio within the Regional Subsidiaries. The credit portfolio covered includes Corporate, Financial Institutions, Business Banking and Consumer above the discretion of country management. The role in Credit Risk entails working closely with various stakeholders in business units, credit risk, enterprise risk and legal as necessary to develop risk appetite at a policy level and on transaction review, strategies for credit originations in various channels, to achieve profitable growth while maintaining credit risk within acceptable levels. The role will also be responsible for independent review and monitoring of the regional subsidiaries portfolio and provide portfolio insights on the quality, risk levels and intervention required to the regional credit and business teams. This entails the management and governance of the credit portfolio from inception till repayment throughout the credit life cycle.

• Cascading of Group credit risk standards and procedures to the Regional Banks and ensuring strict adherence to the same
• Creating, implementing and administering the Bank’s Credit Risk strategies, policies, procedures, credit approvals.
• Evaluate & understand risk associated with individual transactions, products, securities, and the borrowers as well as the economies & industries they operate within. This includes review and understanding complex transactions as well as analyse credit applications to assess whether the credit risk is in line with the Bank’s Credit Policy, Banking Act, and Regulatory guidelines relative to the profitability of the transaction.
• Undertake customer credit calls for new business, early alert names and watch names as per defined thresholds. The output of these visits will be independent call reports that provide input to the credit granting and portfolio monitoring process.
• Conduct assessment and understanding of the Risk Reward for each deal reviewed as well as deliver well thought out decisions, showing sound judgement whilst adhering to the limits of the Delegated Authority. 6. Facilitate Post credit approval review, monitoring and credit risk control which includes but is not limited to covenant monitoring, crafting of credit strategy for accounts on Close Monitoring or watch-list, collateral compliance tracking, excess and arrears management.

Ideal Job Specifications
Academic:

•  Relevant undergraduate degree.
•  Appropriate Masters Level or Post Graduate Qualification.

Professional:

•  Relevant professional qualification in Banking, Accountancy, Credit Analysis (Certified Financial Analyst) and Credit / Risk management.

Desired Work Experience:

•  A minimum of 10 years of experience in Credit Risk Management, Corporate lending, or other relevant areas of practice preferably in the Banking sector out of which 5 years should be at Management level.
•  Experience on regional lending and appraisal of country risks as well as syndicated lending; both in-country and regional.
•  Exposure to Credit, Market and Operational Risk dimensions, Basel implementation, IFRS 9 implementation, ICAAP etc.
•  Econometric experience (e.g., competence in understanding key macro drivers of credit risk, customer behaviour and lending strategy)
• JD- Head of Regional Credit Approvals & Portfolio Management Page 4
•  The ability to conduct complex risk analyses and provide senior management with business insights of consumer credit quality and behaviour trends, and portfolio performance.
•  Strong communication skills (written and oral) and the ability to articulate complex issues at an intuitive level to a non-risk audience
•  Ability to think creatively - to challenge the norm and drive through solutions in the face of adversity and challenge.