F77 Botswana 284
Job Title: Head of Credit
Position: Head of Credit
Location: Gaborone, Botswana
Employment Type: Permanent
Industry: Financial Services
Employer: Confidential (Through Freedom 77 Recruitment)
Salary Guide: Competitive executive remuneration package
Positions Available: 1
Important Note: Please ensure your CV is not scanned. Only Microsoft Word documents or original PDF versions will be accepted.
Company Overview
Freedom 77 Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of a reputable commercial bank in Botswana. Our client is committed to delivering innovative financial solutions while maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance, risk management, and customer service. The bank is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Credit to lead its credit function, strengthen portfolio quality, and support sustainable business growth.
Job Description
The Head of Credit will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Bank's credit function, ensuring the development and implementation of sound credit policies, procedures, and risk management practices. The role is responsible for safeguarding the quality of the Bank's lending portfolio by ensuring prudent credit assessment, approval, monitoring, and recovery processes while supporting the Bank's commercial objectives.
The successful candidate will work closely with Executive Management, Business Banking, Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, Risk Management, Finance, and Compliance teams to maintain a balanced credit portfolio that aligns with the Bank's risk appetite, regulatory requirements, and long-term strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement the Bank's overall credit strategy.
- Lead and manage the Credit Department, ensuring operational excellence and strong governance.
- Review and approve credit applications within delegated authority.
- Present high-value credit facilities to Executive Credit Committees and the Board Credit Committee.
- Ensure comprehensive credit assessments are conducted for all lending proposals.
- Develop, review, and maintain the Bank's Credit Policy and Lending Guidelines.
- Monitor the Bank's overall credit portfolio and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
- Ensure compliance with the Bank of Botswana Prudential Regulations and internal policies.
- Oversee portfolio quality, delinquency trends, impairments, and provisioning.
- Establish portfolio concentration limits and monitor sector exposure.
- Work closely with Business Units to structure appropriate lending solutions.
- Ensure robust collateral valuation, documentation, and perfection processes.
- Monitor early warning indicators and emerging credit risks.
- Lead portfolio stress testing and scenario analysis.
- Drive improvements in credit underwriting standards and turnaround times.
- Oversee credit administration and loan documentation processes.
- Provide strategic input into new lending products and credit risk frameworks.
- Ensure effective management of non-performing loans and recovery strategies.
- Build strong relationships with legal advisors, valuers, auditors, regulators, and external stakeholders.
- Prepare portfolio performance reports for Executive Management and the Board.
- Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing credit professionals.
- Promote a strong culture of risk awareness and sound credit decision-making across the Bank.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Banking, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Master's Degree (MBA, Finance, Banking, Economics, or Risk Management) will be an added advantage.
- Professional certification such as CFA, FRM, ACCA, CA, CISA, or equivalent will be advantageous.
- Minimum of 10 years' progressive banking experience, with at least 5 years in senior credit management or credit risk leadership.
- Extensive experience in Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking, SME Lending, and Retail Credit.
- Proven experience managing large and diversified lending portfolios.
- Strong knowledge of Basel principles and enterprise risk management frameworks.
- Demonstrated experience serving Credit Committees or Board Committees.
Required Knowledge
- Credit Risk Management
- Commercial and Corporate Lending
- Retail Banking Credit
- Financial Analysis
- Credit Structuring
- Loan Documentation
- Credit Portfolio Management
- Basel Guidelines
- IFRS 9 Expected Credit Loss (ECL)
- Bank of Botswana Prudential Standards
- Collateral Management
- Recovery and Collections
- Regulatory Compliance
- Risk-Based Lending
- Banking Operations
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strategic Leadership
- Advanced Credit Analysis
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Strong Commercial Acumen
- Excellent Decision-Making
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation
- Negotiation and Influencing Skills
- Stakeholder Management
- High Ethical Standards and Integrity
- Excellent Report Writing and Presentation Skills
- People Leadership and Coaching
- Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
- Sound Judgment
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Change Management
- Attention to Detail
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Portfolio quality and asset performance
- Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio
- Credit approval turnaround times
- Portfolio growth within approved risk appetite
- Loan recovery performance
- IFRS 9 provisioning accuracy
- Regulatory compliance outcomes
- Audit findings and closure rates
- Credit policy compliance
- Staff productivity and development
Benefits
- Competitive executive remuneration package
- Performance-based incentive
- Medical Aid
- Pension Scheme
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Executive Leave Benefits
- Vehicle Allowance (where applicable)
- Cellphone and Communication Allowance
Application Deadline: This job is open for applications until further notice.
How to Apply:
- We only accept applications done via our online Job Portal.
- Applications done via email will automatically be rejected.
- Simply Upload your Cover Letter and CV on our Job Portal.
- No need to upload Certifications or References. (we will request them at a later stage before you attend the interview)
Contact Information:
- Website: www.freedom77.org
- Email: info@freedom77.org
- We only accept applications done via our online Job Portal.
Disclaimer:
Applying for this job does not guarantee placement nor does it guarantee placement of the specific job post applied for.
This job position has previously been requested in the job market.
Please log in/register via our website and apply for this job if interested.
We will keep you posted if you are successful to be invited for an initial interview.
Follow our pages