Group Lending Loan Officer - Rift Valley

Role Overview

This group lending role manages the full cycle of credit delivery to borrower groups, from outreach and group formation through appraisal, disbursement, and repayment monitoring. The officer works closely with community members and small business owners, ensuring that loans are assessed responsibly and that portfolio quality remains strong. The position matters because it connects the institution’s credit policies to real client needs while protecting against avoidable default risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, recruit, and help form borrowing groups; facilitate group meetings and confirm that members meet eligibility and group guarantee criteria.
• Conduct loan appraisals by reviewing business activity, cash flow, repayment capacity, and group cohesion, then prepare clear credit recommendations.
• Support loan approval, disbursement, and documentation processes while ensuring compliance with internal credit policies and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor repayment schedules through regular field visits and group check-ins; follow up promptly on missed payments and support arrears recovery.
• Train group members on loan terms, group bylaws, financial literacy, and responsible borrowing practices.
• Maintain accurate client files and portfolio records in loan management systems, including KYC information and repayment histories.
• Track portfolio quality indicators such as repayment rates and early warning signs of default, escalating concerns to supervisors as needed.
• Build and sustain relationships with community leaders, local partners, and group representatives to support client outreach and retention.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Diploma or degree in a business-related field, such as business administration, finance, economics, accounting, or a comparable discipline.
• Experience: At least two years of direct experience in group lending, microfinance, community credit, or a closely related lending role.
• Practical knowledge of group lending methodologies, joint liability structures, group formation, and loan cycle management.
• Ability to appraise microenterprise or small business loans, interpret basic financial records, and assess repayment capacity.
• Strong facilitation, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with comfort working with diverse community groups.
• Field-oriented mindset and willingness to conduct regular field visits and work directly with client groups.
• Proficiency with loan management systems, spreadsheets, and routine office software for accurate record-keeping and reporting.
• Understanding of credit risk, arrears management, client protection principles, and lending compliance standards.