Malawi Job Opportunities – Head of Collections

Main purpose of the role

The Head of Collections – Malawi will be responsible for overseeing and managing the entire collections process and staff of Malawi. This will include the management of and reporting on both early and late stage collections to ensure accurate processing and collections of payments, within targeted and budgeted requirements as well as providing leadership and guidance to all collections staff.

Key Deliverables of the Head of Collections – Malawi

1. Ensure monthly collections remain at acceptable group level:
   1. Payroll collections to be improved to and maintained above 95%.

   2. Second-tier debit order platform collections to be improved to levels above 50% on a consistent basis.

   3. Strive to improve arrears to levels below 3%.

   4. Strive to improve provision levels below 5%.

   5. Ensure the correct collections strategies and campaigns for early and late stage collections are implemented to maintain loan book provisions at the agreed rate.

   6. Ensure failed collections are analysed and categorised timeously and appropriate actions to collect are put in place and followed through by the Collections Team.

   7. Source, contract and supervise all internal and external collections partners, such as credit bureaus, external collections agents and trace partners, as well as legal partners.

   8. Ensure that all uncollectable debt is appropriately motivated and timeously written off, based on standing company policies and industry regulations, after all efforts to collect outstanding amounts has failed.

   9. Support the Chief Executive Officer, Regional Collections Manager and Head of Credit & Risk in interpreting failed collections and arrears information and in the implementation of corrective actions to recover losses and prevent future occurrences.

   10. Adhere to all company and collections Standard Operating Procedures (“SOPs”).

2. Relationship management:
   1. Ensure that sound relationships are created and maintained with key staff and management at the payrolls of all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (“MDAs”) and private entities which Select deals with, as well as with external service providers.

   2. Ensure that the names, contact numbers and details of all interactions are documented, indexed and preserved.

   3. Ensure that relationships are structured to ensure that there is a high level of redundancy (back up) through ensuring that the relationships exist across a broad set of Select staff members.

3. Arrears category management:
   1. Ensure that all categories of arrears are equitably and timeously monitored, managed and reported on, and that the data, process and results are well documented, indexed and preserved.

4. Reporting:
   1. Ensure that all relevant performance and management data is timeously and accurately collected, collated, analysed and disseminated.

   2. Compile the daily, weekly, monthly and ad-hoc collections reports to be presented during the monthly Exco and other forums.

   3. Prepare reports and presentations as required by Executive Management and other stakeholders.

   4. Ensure the availability of timeous, accurate and correctly presented information to support business decision making.

5. Management of collections staff:
   1. Provide leadership, guidance and training to develop personnel and ensure the transference of skills and efficient achievement of goals and objectives.

   2. Ensure that all collections staff receive regular, documented coaching sessions.

   3. Ensure that all collections staff are adequately trained and skilled to ensure quality collection strategies and client service.

   4. Ensure that each staff member is monitored and managed daily against an agreed upon set of measures, and that the process and results are well documented, indexed and preserved.

6. Reconciliation of the “Expected vs Collected”, ensuring payments are followed up timeously.

7. Management of overpayment and underpayments from Private Payroll Payments and Government Payments.

8. Management of the AR clearing account ensuring that outstanding balances match the Employer Control Account and all payments received in the bank are identified and cleared timeously.

9. Maintain fluency in product knowledge, the loans management system and collections procedures necessary to carry out collections processes and conducting client interviews.

10. Recommend and develop strategies for improving operations of the department.

Reporting Line

The Head of Collections – Malawi will report to the Chief Executive Officer with a reporting function to the Regional Collections Manager.

The Candidate

We seek the following in our desired candidate:

Qualification Requirement

1. A relevant tertiary qualification (such as a B Com or B Com Law Degree) is preferred.

2. Preference will also be given to candidates with applicable certificates in Legal Collections and Credit Management.

Experience / Background Preference

1. The company will only look at candidates who have no less than FIVE years relevant, working experience of which at least two should have been in a similar role.

2. Government payroll and/or other payroll loan collections experience is essential.

3. Malawian Microlending or related financial services experience is essential.

4. Knowledge of Malawi laws relating to financial services, particularly with regard to Microlending, is essential.

5. A strong command of English, both written and verbal is a requirement of the job.

Key Competencies

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the following ability:

1. Self-assurance and a confident manner.

2. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.

3. Proven people management and leadership skills.

4. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex situations and use creativity to solve problems.

5. Strict attention to detail.

6. Established negotiation skills.

7. Strong presentation skills.

8. A self-starter who shows initiative and assumes responsibility for projects.

9. Proven ability to operate independently and exercise significant latitude for independent judgement, discretion and action.

10. Ability to prioritise and handle multiple tasks within strict time frames within a fast-paced environment.

11. High energy levels.

12. The ability to debate in a constructive manner and to challenge conventional wisdom.

13. The ability to build strong relationships with team members, company management and clients.

Location

The position is based at our Malawi Head Office located in Centre House Arcade, Ground Floor, Robert Mugabe Crescent, Lilongwe.

Compensation

An annual cost to company remuneration package, which will be commensurate with the technical skills and experience of the successful candidate.

Please forward applications to The Chief Finance Officer: chibwanag@selectafrica.net

If you do not hear from us within two weeks, please consider your application for this particular vacancy unsuccessful. In this instance, please be assured that we shall retain your application and will be in touch should a suitable opportunity arise in the future.