Senior General Manager - Technology and Channels at ACCION Microfinance Bank

REF: SGM - Technology and Channels
Location: Head Office, Lagos Nigeria
Reports to: Managing Director/CEO

Job Summary

• Reporting to the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, the successful candidate will support the CEO and will have overall responsibility for the formulation and execution of the company's strategy for Technology and Channels in achieving business objectives agreed by the Board.

Key Responsibilities
Technology:

• Monitor, manage, and enhance Accion’s technical infrastructure to improve critical      business drivers, minimize costs, and maximize uptime and security.
• Plan, analyze, and deploy new technology projects to increase revenue and gross margins, and reduce operating costs including initiatives such as the point of sale devices, ATM cards, the coy intranet and internet, website maintenance and internet banking
• Establish, manage, and publish operating metrics for IT group.
• Manage the IT support and operations staff.
• Hire, develop, and train the IT staff to provide an efficient and effective workforce.
• Work with business heads to review existing processes to ensure the efficient use of the bank’s resources (reduce   cycle time, variance, handoffs, manual processes, etc).
• Manage relationships with IT vendors to achieve cost goals.
• Formulate appropriate IT policies and procedures to provide user friendly guidance for the appropriate use of the       Bank’s IT resources.
• Liaison with Headquarters and Accion International regarding IT operations.

Channels:

• Develop the Channels strategic plan that will guide rapid growth and electronic channels; Drive the growth strategies, including planning/opening new agents, growth of the existing channels, and development of new electronic products and services.
• Support Accion Nigeria in project related grants and fundraising activities from economic development organizations such as EFINA.
• Develop and strengthen the policies, procedures, and controls of the institution relating to electronic channels and digital finance ,agent management , and reporting.
• Direct the preparation of the electronic channels operations plan and budget, by branch and by region.
• Responsible for deploying superior digital experiences within and across the online and mobile banking platforms.
• Provide project management and advisory services on channels initiatives, projects and digital financial services.
• Contribute to the profitability and growth of electronic channels by creating and maintaining services which are customer focused and support the strategic growth and objectives of Accion Mfb.
• Stay abreast of trends in online, mobile, and digital payments landscape, ensuring that Accion Mfb is positioned to establish and maintain a competitive advantage in these areas.
• Identify new channels to improve customer adoption and retention.

Qualification and Experience

• A minimum of 15 -20 years banking IT management experience in a Bank or Financial Institution; a multi-functional knowledge and Specific experience with Temenos Globus /T24 banking software would be useful.
• Minimum of 10 years senior management experience within the financial services industry with previous departmental level budgetary responsibility
• Prior experience with innovative technology and channels is a plus (point of sale devices, ATMs, prepaid cards, mobile phone banking, internet infrastructure and banking, etc.)
• Business process and application integration experience.
• Prior Enterprise application integration experience
• Minimum Education Qualification of a BSc or HND in Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science, and/or related fields with numerate coursework is preferred. Possession of a Master’s Degree or MBA will be an added advantage.
• Attendance at relevant development programs such as those listed below would be an added advantage:
  • Boulder Institute of Microfinance Training
  • Harvard Business School-Accion Program on Strategic Leadership in Inclusive Finance
  • School of African Microfinance
• Prior board-level experience/ experience reporting to a board/ board committee.
• Prior working experience in international organization such as World Bank, DFID, ILO, IFC etc. will be an added advantage.
• Strong communication skills.

Competency/ Skill Requirements:

• In depth knowledge of corporate and retail banking infrastructure
• Familiarity with enterprise application implementation, integration, and management
• Proven ability to manage 7x24 operations for banking, call centers, and transaction processing
• Ability to bridge business strategy and operational drivers with IT capabilities
• Superior people and project management skills; able to coach and motivate a team
• Strong industry related analytical skills, e.g. read and interpret financial statements; evaluate loan recommendations
• Strong written and oral communication skills;  comfortable presenting to executive teams
• Strong negotiation skills and business judgment
• Independent worker; honest
• Fluent in English
• Ability to think strategically and holistically and to appreciate the systemic impact of various policies, issues and solutions.
• Must have a high sense of responsibility, accountability, integrity and ethical standards.
• Must have strong business acumen, maturity and tact, including the ability to relate with highest levels of management of financial institutions.
• Project management experience: detail and process oriented. Ability to motivate and develop staff;
• Understanding of financial services and banking, knowledge of electronic channels, digital finance and agency (branchless) banking.
• Business and technical skills in key functional area(s) which include delivery channels, information and communications technology, financial services technology, and training and capacity building with channels and digital finance.