Head of Credit Risk at Ascentech Services Limited

Job Summary:

• We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Head of Credit to lead credit operations across the South-East region, including Anambra, Abia, and Uyo. This role is critical to maintaining credit discipline, driving regional loan performance, and ensuring customer satisfaction through effective field assessments and structured lending processes.
• The successful candidate must have experience in microfinance lending or working with digital lenders (e.g., Palmpay, Opay) and be well-versed in grassroots loan management. The candidate will work closely with sales agents, evaluate customer risk on-site, and build a regionally tailored credit portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

Regional Credit Oversight

• Manage credit activities in Anambra, Abia, and Uyo, ensuring alignment with corporate risk guidelines.
• Design and execute region-specific credit strategies to meet disbursement and repayment targets.
• Regularly review portfolio performance, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.

Field Operations & Customer Evaluation

• Collaborate with local sales teams to identify qualified customers at the point of sale.
• Conduct physical assessments of customer businesses to validate repayment capacity.
• Implement strong KYC and credit analysis processes that reflect local market realities.

Team Supervision & Performance Monitoring

• Lead a credit team comprising 1 CRO, 1 Loan Officer, and 1 Recovery Agent.
• Set performance benchmarks and ensure data-driven management of customer accounts.
• Support the team with training, on-field guidance, and regular performance feedback.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Enforce full compliance with internal credit policies and regulatory expectations.
• Ensure accurate customer records, signed loan agreements, and site verification reports.
• Act promptly on early warning signs to minimize non-performing loans (NPLs).

Internal Coordination & Reporting

• Liaise with national credit leadership to report performance and field insights.
• Contribute to credit system improvements by providing feedback from local experience.
• Support company-wide initiatives around credit digitization, client engagement, and expansion.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in credit management within fintech, consumer lending, or microfinance environments.
• Previous exposure to field-based lending models and recovery frameworks.
• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or similar fields (MBA or certifications preferred).
• Strong understanding of lending challenges and opportunities within the South-East region.

Key Competencies & Attributes:

• Strong leadership and people management abilities.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Proficiency in local languages is an advantage.
• High ethical standards and commitment to financial inclusion.
• Problem-solving mindset and resilience in field-based roles.