Overview
Ascentech Services Limited is a full-fledged Human Resource Solution Provider incorporated in 2013 with its Head Office in Lagos, Nigeria. We are committed to forging long-term partnerships with our clients by creating and delivering robust and flexible services that address the changing needs of their business.
Job Position: Head of Collections
Location: Kano
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced and field-oriented Head of Credit to oversee all credit-related activities across the Northern region, with a base in Kano.
The ideal candidate must have a strong background in micro-lending, digital loan companies (e.g., Palmpay, Opay), or microfinance institutions, and possess a deep understanding of risk assessment, credit operations, and grassroots lending dynamics.
This role demands someone who is not only analytically strong but also highly mobile and hands-on, spending time in the field to assess clients directly, work closely with our sales agents, and help us build a strong, responsible loan portfolio.
Fluency in Hausa is required for effective communication and engagement with local customers.
Job Responsibilities
- Credit Strategy & Operations
- Lead credit operations across the Northern region (Kano, Yola, Abuja) in alignment with the company’s credit risk framework.
- Design, implement, and manage credit approval processes that are tailored to the socio-economic realities of the region.
- Monitor portfolio performance, ensuring high repayment rates and early risk detection.
- Guide and support credit officers, CROs, and recovery agents within the region.
- Customer Assessment & Field Work
- Collaborate closely with sales agents to identify high-potential and low-risk customers during onboarding.
- Personally conduct or oversee field visits for credit evaluation, especially for larger or high-risk clients.
- Ensure all client assessments include proper due diligence, affordability analysis, and KYC verification.
- Promote responsible lending and financial literacy within target communities.
- Team Leadership & Performance Monitoring
- Supervise a regional team consisting of 1 CRO, 1 Loan Officer, and 1 Recovery Agent.
- Develop KPIs and performance dashboards to ensure visibility on credit activities and portfolio health.
- Provide mentorship and support for continuous learning and ethical field practices.
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Work closely with the National Head of Credit, risk teams, and sales leadership to align strategies.
- Act as the regional liaison for credit-related policy updates and operational changes.
- Collaborate with technology teams to improve credit tools and customer experience.
- Compliance & Reporting
- Ensure strict adherence to credit policies, KYC/AML requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
- Generate and submit regular reports on portfolio performance, delinquency trends, and operational insights.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in credit, risk management, or loan operations in a loan fintech (e.g., Palmpay, Opay), microfinance bank, or consumer lending institution.
- Proven field experience in customer evaluation, loan disbursement, and collections.
- Deep understanding of grassroots lending, informal sector borrowers, and local market behaviour.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration or related fields (MBA or professional certification is a plus).
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and data-driven decision-making.
Competencies & Skills:
- Fluency in Hausa (spoken and written).
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills for both fieldwork and internal coordination.
- Excellent judgment in assessing borrower risk and ensuring compliance.
- High level of integrity, accountability, and leadership.
- Comfortable working in both office and rural field environments.
- Working Conditions:
- Based full-time in Kano, with frequent travel to Yola and Abuja.
- Combination of office-based responsibilities and regular field assessments.
- May be required to work extended hours based on client or portfolio needs.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: cv@ascentech.com.ng using the Job Title as the subject of the email.