Head, Risk & Credit Management

COMPANY: MICROFINANCE BANK (LAGOS)

JOB VACANCY: HEAD, RISK & CREDIT MANAGEMENT

 

Position: Head, Risk & Credit Management

Reports to: The Managing Director

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Employment Type: Full-Time

Application Deadline: 31 October 2026

About the Bank

This is a microfinance bank licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), committed to expanding access to inclusive financial services for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and low-income households. The Bank is entering a new phase of growth, with a strategy built on technology-enabled financial inclusion, disciplined credit and strong governance.

As part of this strategy, the Board seeks to appoint a seasoned and highly qualified Head, Risk and Credit Management who will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a sound credit and risk management framework that supports responsible growth, protects the Bank's assets and ensures that lending activities remain within approved risk appetite, policies and regulatory requirements.

Role Summary

Lead the Bank's credit and risk management functions, ensuring that credit decisions are sound, appropriately assessed, properly documented and consistent with the Bank's approved credit policy and risk appetite.

The role will oversee credit risk identification, assessment, monitoring and mitigation, while also providing independent challenge to credit origination and portfolio management. The successful candidate will help the Bank grow its loan portfolio responsibly while maintaining strong asset quality, adequate controls and effective risk governance.

Key Responsibilities ·       Credit Assessment and Management - Oversee the appraisal and assessment of credit applications, ensuring appropriate analysis of borrower capacity, character, collateral, cash flows, repayment ability and overall risk exposure. Ensure credit proposals are properly documented and presented in accordance with approved limits and delegated authorities. ·       Credit Policy and Framework - Develop, implement and periodically review the Bank's credit policies, procedures, risk acceptance criteria, lending limits and approval frameworks. Ensure that credit practices remain aligned with the Bank's strategy, risk appetite and applicable regulatory requirements. ·       Credit Portfolio Monitoring - Monitor the quality and performance of the Bank's loan portfolio, including delinquency, arrears, non-performing loans, concentration, sector exposure, provisioning and portfolio-at-risk indicators. Identify emerging deterioration early and recommend appropriate corrective action. ·       Risk Identification and Assessment - Identify, assess and monitor material risks arising from the Bank's lending activities and wider operations. Maintain appropriate risk registers, risk indicators and escalation mechanisms, and ensure material risks are reported promptly to Management. ·       Credit Risk Mitigation - Ensure that appropriate risk mitigation measures are applied to credit exposures, including collateral, guarantees, insurance, covenants, limits and other approved risk controls. Monitor the adequacy and enforceability of security arrangements. ·       Credit Approval Governance - Ensure proper separation between credit origination, appraisal, approval and monitoring in accordance with the Bank's approved authority structure. Ensure that no officer circumvents approved approval limits or control requirements. ·       Early Warning and Remedial Management - Establish effective early-warning mechanisms for identifying deteriorating facilities and emerging borrower risks. Work with relevant business and recovery teams to develop remedial strategies and minimise potential losses. ·       Recovery and Problem Loans - Provide oversight of non-performing and impaired facilities, ensuring that appropriate recovery strategies are developed and implemented. Monitor recovery performance and escalate material or persistent exposures to Management and relevant Board committees. ·       Risk Appetite and Limits - Support the development and periodic review of the Bank's risk appetite framework, credit limits, concentration limits and other risk thresholds. Monitor actual exposures against approved limits and promptly escalate breaches or emerging pressures. ·       Stress Testing and Scenario Analysis - Conduct or coordinate appropriate credit and risk stress testing to assess the potential impact of adverse economic, sectoral, borrower and liquidity conditions on the Bank's portfolio and capital position. ·       Management Information and Reporting - Prepare regular credit and risk reports for Management and the Board, covering portfolio quality, credit concentrations, delinquency trends, risk exposures, policy exceptions, limit breaches, emerging risks and recommended mitigation actions. ·       Regulatory Compliance and Supervisory Readiness - Ensure that credit and risk management practices are consistent with applicable CBN regulations, prudential requirements and the Bank's approved policies. Maintain appropriate documentation and readiness for regulatory examinations, audits and supervisory reviews. ·       Risk Culture and Staff Development - Promote a strong risk-conscious culture across the Bank. Train and coach credit and business teams on responsible lending, risk identification, credit analysis, documentation and compliance with approved credit standards. ·       Process Improvement and Technology - Work with Operations, IT and relevant business functions to strengthen credit processes, management information, risk monitoring tools and controls. Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and quality of credit decision-making without weakening control standards. Mandatory Regulatory Requirements

·       A recognised degree or higher diploma in banking, finance, economics, accounting, business administration or a related field.

·       Minimum of six years' relevant experience in banking, microfinance, credit, risk management or related financial services functions, including at least two years in a supervisory or management capacity.

·       Demonstrable experience in credit appraisal, loan structuring, credit portfolio management, risk assessment and monitoring.

·       Strong understanding of MSME lending methodologies, credit risk management and financial inclusion.

·       Practical experience in analysing financial statements, cash flows, repayment capacity and borrower risk.

·       Experience monitoring portfolio quality, delinquency, non-performing loans, concentration risk and credit-related exposures.

·       Working knowledge of core banking systems, credit management systems, spreadsheets, portfolio reports and risk dashboards.

·       Ability to develop and interpret credit and risk reports and translate findings into practical management actions.

·       Demonstrated ability to challenge credit proposals or business decisions where risk considerations warrant further review.

·       Good understanding of CBN regulatory expectations relating to credit, risk management and microfinance banking.

·       Relevant professional qualification in banking, risk management, credit, finance or a related discipline will be an advantage.

·       Demonstrated integrity, sound judgement and strong corporate governance orientation.

Desired Attributes

•      Exposure to digital lending, technology-enabled credit processes or alternative credit assessment methodologies will be an advantage.

•      Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

•      Ability to balance responsible growth with appropriate risk controls.

•      Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to challenge senior colleagues constructively.

•      Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with business, operations, finance, compliance and internal audit functions.

•      Professional credit or banking qualification

•      Experience with group lending or agricultural/SME portfolios where relevant

•      Turnaround of a deteriorating portfolio

•      Deposit relationship management

•      Practical product-development experience

Terms of Appointment

•      The appointment is shall be subject to a probationary period of six (6) months commencing from your effective date of employment

•      Remuneration is competitive and commensurate with experience, in line with the Bank's approved remuneration policy.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following documents by email to the email address provided, with the subject line “Application – Head, Risk and Credit

A detailed curriculum vitae.

•      Copies of academic and professional credentials, including microfinance certification.

•      A cover letter stating suitability for the role.

Applications close on 31 October 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated in strict confidence.

This Microfinance Bank is an equal opportunity employer.