Our client, a recently licensed Microfinance Bank in Nigeria with the goal of being a reference point for Microfinance Banking Services in the country is about to commence operations. To ensure a smooth and aggressive take off of operations, the Bank is looking to fill the following positions within its organisation structure:
Note: For all positions, these four specifications apply:
• A sound understanding of the Nigerian Microfinance banking sector would be a distinct advantage
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Must have experience from a viable financial institution
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft word, excel and access.
Head, Risk Management
Core functions for this position are:
• Manage the Bank’s credit portfolio.
• Design, implement and review bank’s credit policies in line with best practice in Microfinance.
• Proper assessment of credit requests, detailing appropriateness of loan size, purpose and tenor.
• Manage and ensure prompt repayment of loans disbursed to Bank’s clients.
• Monitor loan performance, generate reports and keep delinquencies within acceptable limits set by the Bank.
Qualification and Experience:
• A first degree in Accounting, Banking & Finance or related discipline.
• A profession qualification (ICAN, ACCA, CIBN)
• A Masters degree will be an added advantage
• Minimum of 4 years experience in credit and risk related role
• Knowledge of Microfinance credit operations & Portfolio-At-Risk (PAR)
Person Specifications:
• A keen eye for details
• Advanced knowledge and proven problem-solving ability
Qualified candidates are invited to send in their application & detailed resume, quoting the Reference (OMB 001) as the subject of the mail to:
recruitment@thestrategos.com
NOT LATER THAN Thursday, 28th of August, 2008
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Risk Management officer
Core functions include:
• Work with the head of risk management to ensure a system is in place whichidentifies and analyses all risks involved in the entire loan process
• Develop risk prevention and retention strategies
• Check for irregularities in transactions, unauthorized commitments, expired files.
• Review loan processing applications, monthly follow up, filing documents, evaluation of financing products.
• Analyse new product development and forecast profitability
• Identify risk levels of individuals, groups and all intending borrowers
• Ensure correspondence between amounts loaned out and customer’s loan repayment capacity
• Prepare memos to Head risk management branch for irregularities including low product patronage, overdue installments, Bad Debt returns etc.
Qualification and Experience:
• A degree in Business Administration
• MBA from a reputable institution will be an added advantage
• Minimum of 3 years credit administration experience
Person Specification:
• Good analytical and forecasting abilities
• Ability to prioritise tasks.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
Qualified candidates are invited to send in their application & detailed resume, quoting the Reference (OMB 002) as the subject of the mail to:
recruitment@thestrategos.com
NOT LATER THAN Thursday, 28th of August, 2008
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Head Finance and Accounts
Core functions include:
• Manage the company’s cash and stock, and ensuring that access to cash is optimally invested
• Monitor bank’s investment portfolio and report threatening changes in value
• Ensure correspondence between cost of funds and interest charged on loans
• Monitor Interest rate changes.
• Act as one of the cheque signatories
• Advise on the financial implications of the organisation's strategic plans
• Ensuring equipment and assets are adequately maintained and insured
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
Qualification and Experience:
• B.Sc./HND in Accounting/Finance or related discipline.
• Professional accreditation from ICAN or ACCA.
• At least five years experience in corporate account/finance management
Person Specification:
• The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences
• Good independent judgement
• Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
• ability to analyse and absorb information
Qualified candidates are invited to send in their application & detailed resume, quoting the Reference (OMB 003) as the subject of the mail to:
recruitment@thestrategos.com
NOT LATER THAN Thursday, 28th of August, 2008
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.



Account officer
Core functions include:
• Prepares, verifies, and controls the entering of journal entries to the general ledger.
• Prepares monthly balance sheet and profit-and-loss statements.
• Inputs and handles financial data and reports for the company's computerised financial systems.
• Analyses cost center and chart of account structures
• Maintains the company's system of accounts and keeps books and records on all company transactions and assets.
Qualification and Experience:
• B.s.c/HND in Accounting/Finance or related discipline.
• Professional accreditation from ICAN, ACCA.
• At least three years recent experience of organisational accounting, including book-keeping and reconciliation, maintaining accurate budget projection, producing comprehensive financial reports;

Person Specification:
• Sound knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and procedures on manual and automated systems.
• Ability to perform a volume of numerical detail work with speed and accuracy,
• Ability to write clear reports
Qualified candidates are invited to send in their application & detailed resume, quoting the Reference (OMB 004) as the subject of the mail to:
recruitment@thestrategos.com
NOT LATER THAN Thursday, 28th of August, 2008
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Internal Control/Audit Manager
Core functions include:
• Conducts audits to verify accuracy of records, compliance with standards, policies and procedures
• Implement Zero Tolerance Policy
• Prevention and detection of fraud and error, ensuring accuracy and completeness of accounting records
• Compiles and reports to the board, audit findings and recommendations for modifications and improvements to systems and procedures
• Collaborates with other departments (for example, Risk Management, Marketing, Finance and accounts, and so on) to direct compliance issues to appropriate channels for investigation and resolution.
• Administers internal control policies and ensuring that staff actions are in line within those practices as stated in the policy.
• Ensure company wide adherence with all regulatory, financial and core operational and administrative requirements
Qualification and Experience:
• First degree in Accounting, Banking & Finance or related discipline.
• Professional qualification from ICAN, ACCA or CIBN
• A Masters degree will be an added advantage
• 3-5 years experience in Audit function
Person Specification:
• Knowledge of audit procedures, including planning, techniques, test and sampling methods involved in conducting audits
• Knowledge of credit principles.
• Demonstrated leadership ability
Qualified candidates are invited to send in their application & detailed resume, quoting the Reference (OMB 005) as the subject of the mail to:
recruitment@thestrategos.com
NOT LATER THAN Thursday, 28th of August, 2008
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

HEAD, CREDIT & MARKETING
Core functions for this position are:
• Lead the development of the strategic marketing and planning process.
• Advice and support managers in developing their unit strategies.
• Achieve planning and budget targets set and ensure cost effective department.
• Provide operational co-ordination and integration of the different credit marketing functions.
• Lead multi-disciplinary new credit marketing initiatives as necessary.
• Manage, monitor and appraise all reporting managers through planned objective setting and targets.
• Support all reporting managers by providing mentoring, coaching, advice and ensuring effective personal development

Qualification:
• A degree in marketing or any of its equivalent
• Masters or professional qualification in Marketing or Business management would be an added advantage
• Three (4) years experience of marketing in a senior position including formulation of strategy and planning
• Experience of budgetary preparation and control
Person specification:
• Excellent understanding of key marketing principles
• Good negotiation skills with sound commercial judgement.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and make appropriate strategic decisions.
Qualified candidates are invited to send in their application & detailed resume, quoting the Reference (OMB 006) as the subject of the mail to:
recruitment@thestrategos.com
NOT LATER THAN Thursday, 28th of August, 2008
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.


Loan Officers
Core functions include:
• Market company products to individuals and promote other services that may meet customers' needs.
• Meet with applicants to obtain information for loan applications and to answer questions about the process.
• Analyze applicants' financial status, credit, and property evaluations to determine feasibility of granting loans
• Obtain and compile copies of loan applicants' credit histories, corporate financial statements, and other financial information
• Performs file maintenance for adjustments to member accounts for recalculation of payments or interest rates.
• Review and update credit and loan files.

Qualification and Experience:
• Bachelor’s Degree/HND or its equivalent in Accounting /Banking and Finance/ Marketing or related fields.
• Professional Certification from CIMN/NIM or similar body desirable.
• At least 2 years sales or marketing experience preferably in a financial institution.
Person Specification:
• A professional commitment to the job and a desire to help
• Ability and willingness to get along well with others of various social levels
• Self-confident, honest and open

Qualified candidates are invited to send in their application & detailed resume, quoting the Reference (OMB 007) as the subject of the mail to:
recruitment@thestrategos.com
NOT LATER THAN Thursday, 28th of August, 2008
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CASHIER
Core functions for this position are:
• Performs daily cash reconciliations and prepares cash for deposit.
• Maintains a detailed system of cash records.
• Processes account receivable transactions for various accounts.
• Balances, reconciles and reimburses company’s accounts.
• May check the calculations of other cashiers
• Processes interdepartmental transfers.
• May handle cash registers.
• Processes credit transactions
Qualification and Experience:
• OND/HND Accounting or any of its equivalent
• Professional certification would be an added advantage
• Minimum of 1-2 years experience in a similar role
Person specification:
• Sound numerical & figure-saving ability
• Attention to details, and the ability to maintain high standards of accuracy even when under pressure
Qualified candidates are invited to send in their application & detailed resume, quoting the Reference (OMB 008) as the subject of the mail to:
recruitment@thestrategos.com
NOT LATER THAN Thursday, 28th of August, 2008
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

HEAD MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
Core functions include:
• To simplify and standardize record keeping system and assist in the implementation of data processing over systems or equipment;
• To advise on policies related to the information management system, with due consideration of its long-term benefit;
• To assist management in implementing approved recommendations by preparing or revising instructions and procedural manuals and instructing staff in new work methods and procedures;
• To provide data processing services and specialized assistance in the use of applications and technological development;
• To design and maintain web-based applications and databases of the bank;
• To evaluate and develop an Integrated Management Information System for the bank, composed of the following modules: Human Resources Development Management System, Project Management System, Financial and Accounting Management System, Customer Relationship Management System

Qualification and Experience
• Bsc/HND in Information Technology, Information Management or similar/equivalent discipline
• Professional certification would be an added advantage
• Minimum of 4 years experience in IT role

Person Specification:
• Good functional understanding of standard business processes
• Excellent managerial and technical leadership skills and ability to delegate appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority.
• Conceptual and strategic business analytical capacity to understand information system and business operational issues
• Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries

Qualified candidates are invited to send in their application & detailed resume, quoting the Reference (OMB 009) as the subject of the mail to:
recruitment@thestrategos.com
NOT LATER THAN Thursday, 28th of August, 2008
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.