Credit Officers – Group Lending (Konongo, Ejisu, Akim Oda Koforidua &, Kasoa Ofaakor) at BRAC Ghana Savings and Loans Ltd

BRAC Ghana Savings and Loans Ltd (BGSL) is a socially responsible for-profit organization, engaging people, especially women in sustainable economic and income-generating activities Ghana. Our mission is to provide a range of financial services responsibly to people at the bottom of the pyramid. BGSL particularly focuses on women living in rural and hard to reach areas to create self-employment opportunities, build financial resilience, and harness women’s entrepreneurial spirit by empowering them economically. BGSL is seeking application from competent, dynamic and self-motivated individuals to fill the following position:

 Job Title:       Credit Officers – Group Lending (Konongo, Ejisu, Akim Oda Koforidua &, Kasoa Ofaakor)

Duty station:  Konongo, Ejisu, Akim Oda, Kasoa Ofaakor & Koforidua

PURPOSE:

To help program for smooth cash and bank transaction and Record keeping

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Survey of the working area:

• Conduct 15-20 household surveys per day
• Identify potential clients based on survey results
• Demarcate the working area for proposed groups

Formation of small group and large group:

• Discuss with the identified target members in small groups
• Formation of small groups consisting of five members
• Select a group leader for each small group
• Form a large group management committee
• Give a two-week orientation for members of large groups
• Collect member admission fee from the members as per BRAC Ghana circular
• Enter group members admission data on the mobile phone/tab and sync whenever possible
• Schedule meeting dates, time and venue
• Form a group with a minimum of 15 members for MF and 10 members for Agri-Finance, and a maximum of 30 members for MF and 20 for Agri-Finance
• Admit new members if a group becomes too small due to drop out or other reasons

Meeting related responsibilities

• Conduct two to three groups meetings per day
• Timetable for conducting meetings :1^st meeting at 08:30am ,2^nd meeting at 09:30 am 3^rd meeting at 10:30am (it could be changed based upon office time)
• Be present at meeting place 15 minutes before the group meeting begins
• Arrange the group members to sit in a U-shape according to small groups
• Take attendance in register
• Discuss general issues about loans and any other issues
• Collect weekly installment deposits from small group leaders through the respective small group cashiers, and collect signatures on mobile device
• Return to the office after completing the group meetings by 1.30pm
• Cash received from group meetings near a branch should be deposited at the branch before proceeding to another group meeting (To avoid robbery risk)
• Staff should follow safety and security guidelines while transporting money

Loan proposal and disbursement related

• Ensure members’ loan proposals are discussed in the group meetings
• Accept loan proposals through verbal votes in the presence of the group members
• Credit officer should provide enter all loan data such as loan applications, guarantor details from DP Notes etc. in digital system.
• Fix a disbursement date after verifying loan applications and inform the members accordingly
• Be present in person on disbursement day to participate in the disbursement process

Loan recovery related

• Credit officer must attend weekly/bi-weekly /monthly group meetings and should ensure 100% recovery of loan installments.
• Cash received should be deposited/submitted to Branch Accountant and ensure the entry of the deposited amount in the DCR with signature
• If any installment is missed in the morning group meeting, initiate collection of the installment in the afternoon through visits to borrowers /small group leaders’ houses.
• Initiate collection of late and NIBL installments in the afternoon along with current overdue collection
• Initiate the recovery of loans for written-off client’s, should they wish to come back to BRAC as clients

Miscellaneous

• Be present at the weekly staff meetings.
• Prepare daily, weekly and monthly reports.
• Follow BRAC Human Resources Policies and Procedures.
• Efficiently execute other responsibilities given by the senior management.
• Always adhere to the Code of Conduct for Microfinance staff and treat clients respectfully.

• Strive to provide the best quality service to the client on the field and at the branch
• Listen to clients’ complaints/concerns/opinions carefully and take appropriate measures.

Safeguarding responsibilities: 

• Establish a safeguarding culture across all levels of the institution by implementing the safeguarding policy.
• Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Responsible to ensure team members are appropriately trained, supported and have access to resources regarding issues that are identified and actioned in accordance with the safeguarding policy and procedure.
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.

EXPERIENCE (Including sector/industry):

• Cash and Bank transactions. Cash Requisition preparation, Cash Certificate preparation and bank Reconciliation statement
• Knowledge in application Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel.
• Experience: At least one year’s experience working

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of MS World, MS Excel
• Effective communication skills.
• Writing and reporting skills in English

SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL/PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION:

Applicants must possess a minimum of a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Senior High School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) certificate. Possession of a bachelor’s degree or any higher qualification will be considered an added advantage. Concentration / Major- Any