Agriculture Credit Analyst – Manager

Vision Fund Malawi is Christian owner-operated mission-driven deposit taking microfinance network with caregivers in hard to reach, impoverished locations so they can create secure futures for their children. Inspired by Christian values, we are dedicated to working with the most vulnerable families and communities regardless of religion, race, ethnicity gender, to create lasting change in their lives.

Vision Fund is looking for a well-qualified and experienced individual to fill the Agriculture Credit Analyst – Manager position that has fallen vacant at its Head Office in Lilongwe.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Agriculture Credit Analyst- Manager is responsible for the investigation and analysis of agricultural credit risks, working with the Branch Managers resolves more complex credit problems and making decisions regarding credit extension, develop and maintain financial background information on present and prospective customers and develops credit studies for Loan Officers and committees and cultivates partnerships to grow value chain financing and supporting Agric. related projects

The Agriculture Credit Analyst – Manager will be responsible for the implementation of the project activities with staff and smallholder farmers across the branches. This will include promotion, training and client recruitment. The Credit Analyst will lead and support the branch front line to attain targets of the project that include number of smallholder farmers trained in financial education, accessing agriculture loans and using digital platforms to service refined agriculture value chain loan products.

Principle duties and responsibilities

• Responsible for preparing basis, and comprehensive credit analysis on agricultural loans that facilitate the credit approval process for making lending decisions regarding new, renewal and extension loans
• Analyze the most complex agricultural credits which exceed branch threshold approval in credit exposure.
  (Analyzing factors such as income growth, margin, trends, quality of management, market shares, industry risk, collateral assessment, and stress testing).
• Prepare cash flow projections for operating cycles and producing relevant reports for decision making
• Participate in customer calls with Commercial Lenders to assess new business opportunities.
• Participate in deal discussion meetings with lending personnel, market team and appropriate credit officers. That is, prepares narrative analysis of findings and/or internal loan application for lenders within pre-determined time frames and presents the same for approval to Branch Credit Committee or Head Office Credit Committee.
• Work with lending personnel, market presidents and appropriate credit officers to underwrite and structure agricultural loan transactions.
• Consult with lenders and customers to track purchases and implementations of price protection strategies required by bank policy.
• Managing underwriting pipeline of new and renewal requests from agricultural clients.
• Consult to market personnel in navigation of the agricultural underwriting process, as well as interpretation of loan policy.
• Develop and drive value chain financing through relevant and appropriate partnerships.
• Work with local and state agencies to utilize both participation loan products and guaranteed loan products and complete required applications, annual reviews, concurrence requests, participation letters and other compliance reporting to ensure bank compliance Agriculture loans with the Central Bank.
• Ensures that lending policies and procedures, including sector concentration limits are adhered to by Branch operations and staff.

Education and/or experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance or a related field is required. BS in Agricultural Business with concentration in Agricultural Economics, Accounting or Finance preferred.
• 5+ years’ work-related experience in Agriculture Lending and/or underwriting required.
• Agricultural knowledge. Experience and education are preferred.
• Understand and utilize current and futures market data for crops and livestock and the basics of crop insurance and livestock price protection, that is, LRP and hedging.

Application process

Interested candidates should send their applications together with their detailed Curriculum Vitae, three traceable referees and copies of certificates to :

The People, Culture & Administration Manager
VisionFund Malawi,
Private Bag A232,
Lilongwe
Email: [email protected]

Closing date for receiving applications is 8th February, 2025

Disclaimer
VisionFund Malawi does not use agents, nor solicit any form of payments for any application, training, interviewing, testing or any fees in connection with this recruitment. Report any acts of solicitation for payment and/or extortion to VisionFund Malawi on the following;
Tip offs Toll Lines: 0884621623