Head of Credit at Koolboks

Location: Sabon Gari, Kano

Job Summary

• We are seeking a highly experienced and field-oriented Head of Credit to oversee all credit-related activities in Kano.
• The ideal candidate must have a strong background in micro-lending, digital loan companies (e.g., Palmpay, Opay), or microfinance institutions, and possess a deep understanding of risk assessment, credit operations, and grassroots lending dynamics.
• This role demands someone who is not only analytically strong but also highly mobile and hands-on—spending time in the field to assess clients directly, work closely with our sales agents, and help us build a strong, responsible loan portfolio.
• Fluency in Hausa is required for effective communication and engagement with local customers.

Key Responsibilities
Credit Strategy & Operations:

• Lead credit operations across the Northern region (Kano, Yola, Abuja) in alignment with the company’s credit risk framework.
• Design, implement, and manage credit approval processes that are tailored to the socio-economic realities of the region.
• Monitor portfolio performance, ensuring high repayment rates and early risk detection.
• Guide and support credit officers, CROs, and recovery agents within the region.

Customer Assessment & Field Work:

• Collaborate closely with sales agents to identify high-potential and low-risk customers during onboarding.
• Personally conduct or oversee field visits for credit evaluation, especially for larger or high-risk clients.
• Ensure all client assessments include proper due diligence, affordability analysis, and KYC verification.
• Promote responsible lending and financial literacy within target communities.

Team Leadership & Performance Monitoring:

• Supervise a regional team consisting of 1 CRO, 1 Loan Officer, and 1 Recovery Agent.
• Develop KPIs and performance dashboards to ensure visibility on credit activities and portfolio health.
• Provide mentorship and support for continuous learning and ethical field practices.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Work closely with the National Head of Credit, risk teams, and sales leadership to align strategies.
• Act as the regional liaison for credit-related policy updates and operational changes.
• Collaborate with technology teams to improve credit tools and customer experience.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure strict adherence to credit policies, KYC/AML requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Generate and submit regular reports on portfolio performance, delinquency trends, and operational insights.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration or related fields.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in credit, risk management, or loan operations in a loan fintech (e.g., Palmpay, Opay), microfinance bank, or consumer lending institution.
• Proven field experience in customer evaluation, loan disbursement, and collections.
• Deep understanding of grassroots lending, informal sector borrowers, and local market behavior.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and data-driven decision-making.

Key Competencies & Skills:

• Fluency in Hausa (spoken and written) is mandatory.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for both fieldwork and internal coordination.
• Excellent judgment in assessing borrower risk and ensuring compliance.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and leadership.
• Comfortable working in both office and rural field environments.