Senior Portfolio Manager, East Africa at Root Capital

Position Overview

• The Senior Portfolio Manager, together with the Root Capital team, is responsible for the following activities: actively work to identify potential borrowers; proactively make contact with loan leads and provide information on Root Capital’s credit services. Analyze loan applicants using rigorous financial, environmental, and social criteria; present loan analysis to Root Capital’s internal and external credit committees for decision; close loans, including ensuring complete documentation; monitor existing loans to ensure timely repayment; and assist in coordinating training and technical assistance on financial management to selected candidates and clients.

Responsibilities
Business Development (20%)

• Developing pipeline of qualified loan candidates in East Africa where Root Capital is present. Developing networks of referrals, including value chain actors, technical assistance providers, and trade associations. Presenting Root Capital’s credit offerings to and invite loan applications from qualified businesses
• Assessing client’s credit and advisory needs and recommending appropriate mix of Root Capital services.
• Actively managing and maintaining a pipeline of loan opportunities.

Underwriting and loan closing (40%), with support from the Nairobi-based Credit Analyst

• Collecting information about loan applicants as specified by Root Capital’s credit policies.
• Ensuring that all proposed loans meet Root Capital’s criteria for credit quality and security.
• Performing due diligence to verify client information, including conducting site visits and management interviews.
• Conduct financial, operational and management analysis of applicant companies, working with the credit analyst in Nairobi.
• Working closely with Credit Administration in relation to transactions involving third party lenders. Communicating and negotiating terms as required.
• Preparing credit memos, presenting analysis, and making credit recommendations to Root Capital’s credit committees for decision-making, following Root Capital’s credit underwriting policies and procedures.
• Applying Root Capital’s social and environmental impact criteria. Supporting Root Capital’s portfolio servicing personnel to close loans, including ensuring proper documentation.

Client Relationship Management (30%), with support from the Nairobi-based Credit Analyst

• Monitoring active loans, working with the credit analyst, to analyze client performance, track compliance with covenants and reporting requirements, and develop risk ratings.
• Leading communication with Root Capital clients to address identified deficiencies in active loans. In heightened risk situations, collaborate with Risk Manager to devise and implement a collections strategy.
• Customer Service management, facilitating and coordinating with Credit Admin and Treasury for all loan servicing needs, resolving customer issues as they arise.

Advisory Services (10%)

• Collaborating with the Advisory Services Manager in Nairobi to address financial management weaknesses of prospective and existing clients as necessary by facilitating training provision through qualified local consultants.
• Helping to develop a training plan, and work with local trainers to ensure effective implementation.
• Performing other relevant duties as assigned.

Required Skills And Experience

• Have Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Able to work under pressure, establish and maintain deadlines and can coordinate easily with multiple people across the organization.
• Strong experience with Microsoft Word and Excel is necessary.
• Strong understanding of investment strategies and risk management.
• Strong interest in the field of socially impacts investing.
• Passionate about supporting the advancement of Root Capital’s mission of growing prosperity in rural communities in Africa.
• Flexible to travel within rural areas of East and Southern Africa.
• Excellent communication skills in English and fluent in Kiswahili language.
• Experience working in agricultural and SME finance, in Kenya.
• University degree in Business management or Finance and post graduate Diploma in Project management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to Root Capital’s mission.
• Authorized to work in Kenya.