Credit Risk Advisor | Malawi | Volunteer Internationally

***Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only***

Assignment Type: Canadian International Volunteer

Assignment ID: VA-107417

Assignment Title: Credit Risk Advisor

Partner: Associated Center For Agro-Based Development

Country: Malawi

Duration: 4 to 6 months (flexible)

Time Commitment: Full time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about improving economic opportunities for young people, particularly young farmers globally? Do you have experience in credit risk assessment and management to share?

As a Credit Risk Advisor with ACADES in Malawi, you will support the team to develop credit risk strategies to ensure the sustainability of the loan portfolio while maintaining compliance with internal policies and regulations. In this remote position, you will help mitigate risks and ensure the long-term success of the ACADES financial institution’s credit operations.

Apply today to contribute to the financial sustainability for youth farmers in Malawi!

Roles and Responsibilities

-Collaborate with the ACADES team to evaluate and refine current credit risk policies and procedures to ensure they align with best practices

-Support the development of comprehensive credit risk management frameworks, policies, and procedures to strengthen the organization's risk mitigation efforts

-Assist in creating and utilizing risk assessment tools and models to evaluate potential credit risks and ensure sound financial decision-making

-Work with the team to design templates for credit risk assessment reports, incorporating recommendations and strategies to enhance the organization’s financial operations

-Lead the development of an updated risk scoring model and create clear documentation outlining the implementation guidelines

-Design and implement Excel-based risk assessment templates, dashboards for risk monitoring, and early warning indicators systems to proactively manage risks

-Participate in pre-assignment training

-Participate in at least 3 public engagement initiatives with Canadian audiences before, during, or within 6 months after the end of the assignment. Volunteers will be equipped with the tools, training, funds, and support to achieve these goals. Volunteers must also report on each of their public engagement activities through our Volunteer Information Portal. Virtual chats and individual check-ins can be booked with the Senior Public Engagement Officer throughout the course of their assignment and during the 6 months following its completion to seek guidance and support with their public engagement activities.

-Canadian volunteers are required to do at least one activity that contributes to meeting a fundraising target of $1,500. The minimum requirement is met by each volunteer using our Volunteer Information Portal to report having sent one message to their network about their volunteer assignment that includes the link to the WUSC Shared Impact Fund webpage. This message also counts as one of their three required public engagement activities. Volunteers will be supported with the tools, training, and resources to achieve the fundraising goal.

-Submit reports as required by the partner organization and by WUSC.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree in Financial Management, Business Studies or a related discipline
• Minimum two (2) years relevant professional experience
• Experience in credit risk management
• Experience with financial institutions or microfinance
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Experience with group facilitation and trainings, including content development considered an asset
• Experience living and working internationally considered an asset
• Written and oral fluency in English

Project Description

Volunteering for development is one of the important ways in which WUSC pursues its mission. The IGNI+E project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, supports over 70 partner organizations to advance gender equality and the economic empowerment of 1.2 million youth around the world. IGNI+E harnesses the knowledge, capacity and expertise of skilled Canadians through volunteer assignments and public engagement activities to assist partners in improving their performance, advocating for gender equality, and implementing more sustainable, innovative and inclusive initiatives and services for poor and marginalized youth, particularly young women. Overseas, our volunteers collaborate with a wide variety of partners, including enterprise and social enterprise development incubators, skills training centres, women’s organizations, and youth groups. In Canada, WUSC works with institutions and individuals to identify, prepare, and support volunteers who travel overseas to support our partners. Our network in Canada also works with WUSC to raise awareness among Canadians to inspire greater action on global development issues. Our collective focus is on sustainable and inclusive changes to create a better world for youth.

Partner Description

ACADES is a social enterprise which invests in the most rural and disconnected communities of smallholder farmers, especially youth and women. Its mission is to create sustainable wealth for smallholder farming communities through provision of tailor-made service packages consisting of agriculture financing, ethical market and farmer capacity development. Over the past 5 years, ACADES has organized and reached over 22,000 farmers with essential products and services.

Support Package

• Support and guidance from the WUSC Volunteer Mobilization Team prior to departure and from the WUSC Country Team while on assignment
• Pre-departure training to learn about the volunteering for development program, gain practical skills for living and working in an intercultural context and network with other volunteers
• In-country orientation upon arrival in country of assignment
• Language training in country of assignment, where required
• Modest monthly living and accommodation allowance
• Airfare to and from the assignment country
• Visa/work permit
• Pre-departure medical exam
• Health insurance
• Vaccinations and antimalarial medication
• Criminal record verification
• Vacation leave entitlement
• Debriefing after completion of assignment
• An incredible opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to global development, enhance your professional skills and participate in an experience of a lifetime!