Scheme Administration Manager

Job Purpose

The role holder will be responsible for coordinating all Personal Banking business for centralized schemes (MOUs) to ensure the Bank's strategies, goals, and objectives are achieved. The incumbent will support the business in scheme administration for centralized MOUs, loan booking under check-off arrangements, follow-up on payroll deductions, and submission of changes in pay points to the respective institutions. The role oversees various schemes within public and government institutions, private institutions, and other centrally managed entities, including but not limited to Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Disciplined Forces, State Departments, and Pension schemes.

Key Responsibilities

Scheme Administration and Operations (40%)

• Manage and supervise the operations of Loan Booking Officers, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and adherence to established procedures.
• Confirm payroll details are accurate prior to loan approval by Regional Managers and the Credit Risk function.
• Review and confirm receipt of stop orders within stipulated timelines, verify that check-off deductions have been effected, and ensure all required data capture is completed to facilitate the release of take-home pay.
• Advise on the final disbursement of loans through CAD, ensuring disbursements are supported by appropriate data capture.
• Supervise the submission of changes to pay points to the respective institutions.
• Ensure timely crediting of customer deductions upon receipt of funds by the Bank after monthly payroll closure.
• Liaise with approvers to facilitate timely approval of loan applications.
• Follow up to ensure timely disbursement of Personal Banking check-off loans through CAD.
• Handle loan application exemption requests from branches in liaison with Regional Relationship Managers and Credit Risk.
• Review and take immediate remedial action on under-deducted and unbooked loans once check-off payments are received by the Bank.
• Ensure monthly by-product reconciliations are conducted and all identified discrepancies are resolved within a reasonable timeframe to mitigate potential loss provisions.
• Coordinate loan restructuring activities where necessary, ensuring adequate repayment capacity exists.
• Coordinate regular training initiatives in collaboration with the Credit Analysis team to strengthen onboarding processes, enhance credit analysis, and improve overall scheme administration.
• Maintain a register of identified gaps within the scheme lending process and ensure it is utilized to support training programs and inform Human Resource interventions.

Loan Booking Management (20%)

• Lead a team of Loan Booking Officers to ensure all disbursed loans are fully booked under the check-off arrangement within the respective payroll departments.
• Communicate the booking status of all monthly loan disbursements to branches.
• Collate loan schedules on each payroll date, conduct analysis, and follow up on loans that have been adopted, reduced, or dropped.
• Supervise follow-up activities on loan deductions to ensure timely remittance by engaging payroll accountants and Heads of Finance.

Portfolio Quality Management (20%)

• Undertake continuous clean-up of the loan portfolio to ensure reinstated customer deductions are accurately reflected on payroll records and payslips.
• Manage the performance of the scheme loan portfolio and ensure adherence to approved Portfolio at Risk (PAR) thresholds.

Risk and Compliance (10%)

• Conduct weekly callback spot checks on sampled check-off loan applications to confirm callback forms are properly completed and actual callbacks are conducted with applicants’ immediate supervisors to verify the absence of pending disciplinary issues.
• Supported by a team of loan officers, ensure all loan documents, salary statements, and scheme documentation are properly authenticated and any suspected fraudulent activities are escalated promptly.
• Make recommendations to the Director – Consumer Banking and Director – Credit regarding schemes that should be discontinued due to fraud concerns or misalignment with the Bank’s risk appetite.
• Recommend withdrawal of lending discretion from Scheme Officers who fail to adhere to onboarding processes or who engage in fraudulent activities.
• Ensure all scheme activities comply with legal, regulatory, and internal policy requirements.

Other Responsibilities (10%)

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders across various sectors.
• Update and advise the Director – Consumer Banking on the progress of Personal Banking business within assigned institutions.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager.

Key Relationships

Direct Reports

• Scheme Administrators
• Loan Booking Officers

Internal Customers

• Workplace Banking

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Banking, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience in Personal Banking or a related banking function.
• Strong knowledge of banking products and services.
• Experience in scheme lending, payroll lending, or check-off loan administration will be an added advantage.

Competencies Required

• Demonstrated ability to build, manage, and influence stakeholder relationships to achieve business objectives.
• Ability to confidently engage in business discussions with key decision-makers and employees.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team collaboration skills.
• Self-driven with strong attention to detail and the ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Strong leadership, planning, and organizational skills.
• Mature personality with a collaborative team-oriented approach.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel to customer locations when required.
• Excellent analytical and business development skills.
• Strong networking capabilities and sound understanding of the Personal Banking sector.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.