Credit Officer Trainee - BRAC Ghana Savings & Loans

BRAC Ghana Savings and Loans Ltd (BGSL), is a socially responsible for-profit organization, engaging people, especially women in sustainable economic and income generating activities Ghana. Our mission is to provide a range of financial services responsibly to people at the bottom of the pyramid. BGSL is part of BRAC International Holdings B.V (BIHBV) which operates in seven countries across Africa and Asia.

Job Description

PURPOSE

The Credit officer Trainee – GL will perform underwritings of new and existing loans to assess the financial conditions and repayment capacities of prospective clients, and the risks associated with the transactions.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Formation of small group and large group:

• Discuss with the identified target members in small groups
• Formation of small groups with each group consisting of five members
• Select group leaders for each small group
• Form a large group management committee
• Give a two-week orientation for large group
• Collect member admission fees from the members as per BGSL practices
• Capture group members’ admission data with the DFA device
• Fix the meeting date time and place
• Form a group with a minimum of 15 members for MF and 10 members for Agri-Finance, and a maximum 30 members for MF and 20 for a Agri Finance
• Arrange admission of new members

Meeting related responsibilities

• Conduct two to three groups meetings per day
• Timetable for conducting meetings :1st meeting at 08:30am ,2nd meeting at 09:30 am 3rd meeting at 10:30am (it could be changed based upon office time)
• Reach the meeting place 15 minutes before the group meeting begins
• Organize the floor mat before the meeting commences
• Arrange the group members in U-shape according to small groups
• Take attendance
• Discuss general issues about loans and any other issues
• Collect weekly installment deposits from small group leaders through the concerned cashiers, and capture signatures on DFA device
• Return to the office after completing the group meetings by 1.30pm
• Where the group is nearby the office, credit officer shall deposit the money collected to office before moving to another group (To avoid robbery risk)
• Staff should follow safety and security guideline while transporting money
• Loan proposal and disbursement related
• Ensure member’s loan proposals are discussed in the group meetings
• Acceptance of loan proposal through verbal votes in presence of the group members
• Credit officer will fill all loan data such as loan applications, guarantor from DP Notes etc. in digital system.
• Fix a disbursement date after verifying loan application and inform the member accordingly
• Be present in person on disbursement day to participate in disbursement process
• Loan recovery related
• Credit officer must attend weekly/bi-weekly /monthly group meetings and should ensure 100% recovery of loan installments.
• Deposit collected money to Branch Accounts and ensure writing and signing off the amount in the DCR
• If any installment is missed in the morning group meeting, initiate collection of the installment in the afternoon through borrowers /small group leaders’ house visit.
• Initiate collection of late and NIBL installments in the afternoon along with current overdue collection
• Initiate the recovery of loans for written-off client’s, should they wish to come back to BRAC as clients

Miscellaneous

• Be present in the weekly staff meetings.
• Prepare daily, weekly and monthly reports.
• Follow BRAC Human Resources Policies and Procedures.
• Efficiently execute other responsibilities given by the senior management.
• Always adhere to the Code of Conduct for Microfinance staff and treat clients respectfully.
• Strive to provide the best quality service to the client and at field and at the brunch office.
• Listen to client’s complaints/concerns/opinions carefully and take appropriate measures.

Safeguarding responsibilities:

• Establish a safeguarding culture across all level of the programme by implementing the safeguarding policy. Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Responsible to ensure team members are appropriately trained, supported and have access to resources regarding issues that are identified and actioned in accordance with the safeguarding policy and procedure.
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.

Required Skills or Experience

EXPERIENCE (Including sector/industry)

• Cash and bank transactions, cash requisition, cash certificate and bank reconciliation statements
• Knowledge in application Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel.
• Experience: At least one year of Experience working in Microfinance/financial Institution.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Computer knowledge on MS World, MS Excel and Internet
• Effective communication skills.
• Writing and reporting skills in English
• Ability to effectively work remotely, across time zones and team locations, as well as in-person with a small team of stakeholders.
• Ability to work in ambiguous environments, with minimal structure.
• Fluency in English required (spoken, reading, and written).

SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL/PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

• SHS/Diploma/HND/Degree

Duty Station : Abuakwa, Ejisu, Bantama, Ahenema Kokoben and Nkawie