Background

SME Clinic, on behalf of its client, a leading licensed microfinance institution dedicated to providing inclusive financial services, is recruiting an experienced Head of Operations to spearhead our agriculture‑loan programme for agro‑dealers and smallholder farmers. This role reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and plays a central role in shaping our operational strategy and product offering.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Operations will provide overall leadership to operations staff and ensure that agricultural lending products are developed, implemented and monitored effectively. Responsibilities include:

• Operational leadership

  Provide strategic leadership and oversight of daily banking operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance with regulatory standards. Develop and implement operational policies, procedures and performance standards. Lead and mentor operational staff and agro‑credit officers, promoting accountability and excellence.

• Agricultural loan product development

  Work with product‑development experts to identify market opportunities and design agriculture‑loan products tailored to agro‑dealers and smallholders. Activities include identifying market opportunities, analysing socio‑economic data and assessing competition from formal and informal lenders. Participate in risk‑mapping and supply‑chain analysis for key crops

• Credit analysis & approval

  Oversee evaluation of loan applications, including analysis of financial statements and credit reports. Conduct field visits to agro‑dealers and farms to assess risk profiles. Chair or participate in credit‑committee meetings and ensure loan decisions align with institutional risk appetite.

• Portfolio management & monitoring

  Monitor ongoing agricultural loan accounts to ensure compliance with loan agreements and quality standards. Prepare performance reports on pilot projects and portfolio performance. Maintain portfolio quality by overseeing delinquency management and resolving payment issues.

• Stakeholder engagement

  Build and maintain relationships with agro‑dealers, farmer cooperatives, input suppliers and off‑takers. Develop partnerships with supply‑chain actors, insurance providers and technology platforms to enhance product delivery. Communicate loan decisions and provide feedback to applicants.

• Risk management & compliance

  Ensure effective risk management, internal controls and compliance with all regulatory requirements. Mitigate key elements of the institution’s risk profile and ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards. Oversee data security and enforce access rights and verification levels.

• People development & capacity building

  Recruit, train and supervise agro‑credit officers and branch managers, using classroom and field‑based training modules. Coach staff on loan analysis, risk assessment and customer service. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Banking, Finance, Economics, Agriculture or Business Administration. A master’s degree or professional certification is an advantage.

Experience: At least 5 years’ leadership experience in microfinance, commercial banking or agricultural lending. Experience in agriculture‑lending loan analysis, follow‑up and repayment is essential. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement operational policies and manage teams.

Skills: Strong analytical skills, including the ability to conduct financial and socio‑economic analyses. Knowledge of agricultural markets, crop cycles and supply‑chain dynamics. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in risk management, credit analysis and the use of financial software. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Leadership & innovation: Proven track record of leading operational teams, introducing technology‑driven solutions and improving efficiency. Commitment to ethical and sustainable finance, with a passion for rural economic development.

Desirable Attributes

• Experience working with agro‑dealers or input suppliers.
• Familiarity with digital lending platforms and credit scoring tools.
• Knowledge of local agricultural policies, crops and agri‑business ecosystems.

• Operational leadership

  Provide strategic leadership and oversight of daily banking operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance with regulatory standards. Develop and implement operational policies, procedures and performance standards. Lead and mentor operational staff and agro‑credit officers, promoting accountability and excellence.

• Agricultural loan product development

  Work with product‑development experts to identify market opportunities and design agriculture‑loan products tailored to agro‑dealers and smallholders. Activities include identifying market opportunities, analysing socio‑economic data and assessing competition from formal and informal lenders. Participate in risk‑mapping and supply‑chain analysis for key crops

• Credit analysis & approval

  Oversee evaluation of loan applications, including analysis of financial statements and credit reports. Conduct field visits to agro‑dealers and farms to assess risk profiles. Chair or participate in credit‑committee meetings and ensure loan decisions align with institutional risk appetite.

• Portfolio management & monitoring

  Monitor ongoing agricultural loan accounts to ensure compliance with loan agreements and quality standards. Prepare performance reports on pilot projects and portfolio performance. Maintain portfolio quality by overseeing delinquency management and resolving payment issues.

• Stakeholder engagement

  Build and maintain relationships with agro‑dealers, farmer cooperatives, input suppliers and off‑takers. Develop partnerships with supply‑chain actors, insurance providers and technology platforms to enhance product delivery. Communicate loan decisions and provide feedback to applicants.

• Risk management & compliance

  Ensure effective risk management, internal controls and compliance with all regulatory requirements. Mitigate key elements of the institution’s risk profile and ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards. Oversee data security and enforce access rights and verification levels.

• People development & capacity building

  Recruit, train and supervise agro‑credit officers and branch managers, using classroom and field‑based training modules. Coach staff on loan analysis, risk assessment and customer service. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to conduct financial and socio‑economic analyses.
• Knowledge of agricultural markets, crop cycles and supply‑chain dynamics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in risk management, credit analysis and the use of financial software.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Proven track record of leading operational teams, introducing technology‑driven solutions and improving efficiency.
• Commitment to ethical and sustainable finance, with a passion for rural economic development.

• Bachelor’s degree in Banking, Finance, Economics, Agriculture or Business Administration.
• A master’s degree or professional certification is an advantage.
• At least 5 years’ leadership experience in microfinance, commercial banking or agricultural lending.
• Experience in agriculture‑lending loan analysis, follow‑up and repayment is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement operational policies and manage teams.