Credit Evaluation Officer Business (Agriculture)

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Preliminary Credit Assessments & Pipeline Management
  
• The Agriculture Credit Evaluation Officer is accountable for delivery of a professional service to the business units by assessing and evaluating agricultural credit facilities (new and/or existing) based on sound credit & financial principles which supports the minimising of risk to the bank.
  
• The role holder assists HFB in achieving their asset growth targets by providing effective value adding risk management, whilst maintaining a quality-lending book, through judicious and effective management thereof.
  
• Evaluates whether agricultural and other business credit facility proposals meet sound business criteria and credit risk falls within acceptable parameters, approve/disapprove, and recommends appropriate credit facilities including terms or conditions of facilities.
  
• Shows decisiveness in applying product parameters, credit policies and governance standards.
  
• Ensures accuracy and reliability of approvals within advised Delegated Authority (DA), or referrals to higher authority, on Business credit applications reviewed.
  
• Adds value to the credit approval process by providing technical support and guidance to originators as appropriate to reduce reworks on agricultural financing structures and applications to a lower percentage as will be agreed.
  
• Reduce turnaround times for agriculture loan applications and improve customer experience through timely and quality credit assessment and decision making.
  
• Support the growing pipeline of large-scale commercial farming and agribusiness transactions and Strengthen portfolio quality through better identification and mitigation of agriculture-related risks.
  
• Manage adherence to the service level agreement that has been concluded.
  
• Support on monitoring visits, analyse the Agribusiness portfolio to identify adverse trends; identify and address weaknesses in a timely manner to minimize provisions and write offs. Builds relationships with Branch Managers and Relationship Managers to improve quality of agricultural business proposals and turnaround time on credit evaluations.
  
• Develop, plan, and conduct training sessions by designing and implementing Agriculture business training modules to enhance understanding and capacity for both staff and clients.
  
• Ensure completeness of documentation, reconfirming (as per agreed frequency) that appropriate verification of information and documentation has been carried out by the Credit Origination Team, credit bureau & other searches, full compliance with product parameters/lending policy guidelines/other governance requirements on all credits processed.
  
• Performs similar duties as s/he deems fit for the proper execution of her/his duties or duties as duly assigned by the Employer.
  
• Ensure that ESG aspects in Credit assessment are considered and well documented.
  
• Financial Responsibility:
  
• Achievement of risk asset budget for the agricultural credit facility portfolio.
  
• Growth and maintenance of high-quality risk asset portfolio for the Bank.
  
• Minimize credit losses.
  

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• University Degree (Honours) in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Finance or a related field.
  
• At least 3-5 years of progressive experience with an established and demonstrable track record in business banking within a commercial
  
• bank.
  
• A solid understanding of agribusiness lending practices in the informal sector.
  
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Laws and Regulations relating to lending in Financial Institutions.
  

Skills & Experience:

• Experience
  
• An established and demonstrable track record in the Credit Risk Management of Agriculture, SME and Corporate lending.
  
• Proven excellent networking competences and working
  
• relationship with both private and public institutions community.
  
• Possess excellent Credit Risk underwriting skills.
  
• Possess excellent interpersonal and strong communication skills
  
• A good background in general banking knowledge
  
• An understanding of the credit granting process.
  
• Special skills
  
• Agriculture Knowledge. Strong understanding of Agricultural practices, Markets and Industry trends.
  
• Experience in Lending and Credit analysis skills.
  
• Excellent communication skills.
  
• Strong risk management skills.