Relationship Officer

World Vision Kenya

World Vision is an international Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation working in almost 100 countries world-wide to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

Relationship Officer

• Job Type Full Time
• Qualification Diploma
• Experience
• Location Bomet
• Job Field Sales and Business Development

Key Responsibilities

• Sales, Marketing & Client Recruitment (10%)

• Identify, recruit and onboard new clients in line with the branch's business growth targets.

• Assess client needs and recommend appropriate loan products and financial services.

• Achieve assigned targets for new borrowers, repeat borrowers, outstanding loan balance (OLB), and product uptake.

• Apply the 5Cs of credit when assessing prospective clients.

• Build strong client relationships, address customer concerns and promote client retention.

• Loan Disbursement, Collections & Portfolio Quality (20%)

• Ensure loan applications meet the required credit policy and documentation standards before disbursement.

• Monitor loan repayment schedules and conduct timely follow-ups on outstanding balances.

• Use T24 reports, including delinquency, client status and group status reports, to guide disbursement and collection decisions.

• Ensure compliance with group lending and arrears eligibility requirements before further disbursements.

• Identify early warning signs of delinquency and implement appropriate collection and recovery measures.

• Contribute to maintaining Portfolio at Risk (PAR) within approved organizational targets.

• Client Training & Advisory Services (10%)

• Conduct pre-loan training in accordance with VisionFund Kenya's policies and procedures.

• Facilitate monthly post-loan training on business management, financial literacy, loan repayment and responsible borrowing.

• Educate clients on loan products, terms, conditions and repayment obligations.

• Provide appropriate business and financial advisory services to clients.

• Promote client awareness, satisfaction, transformation and retention.

• Group Management & Client Relationships (5%)

• Attend scheduled group meetings and maintain accurate attendance registers.

• Ensure all required client and group documentation is complete and up to date.

• Monitor group activities, repayment commitments and compliance with group lending procedures.

• Conduct and document client business visits before and after loan disbursement.

• Ensure loan appraisal discussions and approvals are properly documented in group meeting minutes.

• Loan Appraisal & Administration (30%)

• Conduct baseline surveys and client assessments before recommending loans.

• Evaluate clients' creditworthiness through business assessments, cash-flow analysis, income verification and repayment capacity reviews.

• Apply the 5Cs of credit to assess lending risks and ensure responsible lending decisions.

• Verify client information and supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness.

• Facilitate effective group credit committee processes in accordance with established policies.

• Prepare accurate loan appraisal reports and recommendations within the applicable approval framework.

• Maintain complete and reliable loan records in accordance with credit policies and procedures.

• Portfolio Monitoring & Risk Management (10%)

• Monitor loan portfolio growth, repayment performance and quality at individual and group levels.

• Identify and escalate emerging credit risks, suspected fraud, deteriorating repayment capacity and other portfolio concerns.

• Conduct follow-up visits and implement corrective measures in collaboration with the Relationship Manager.

• Support the reduction of delinquency and the improvement of borrower retention.

• Ensure portfolio-related issues are addressed promptly and in accordance with organizational procedures.

• T24 Reporting & Data Management (5%)

• Generate, interpret and utilize T24 reports for loan appraisal, disbursement, collections and portfolio monitoring.

• Reconcile client and group records against system reports and resolve discrepancies through approved procedures.

• Maintain accurate, complete and timely client information.

• Explain loan balances, repayment schedules and portfolio records accurately to clients.

• Ensure compliance with data management and reporting requirements.

• Income Generation & Cost Management (3%)

• Contribute to assigned income, active borrower and portfolio growth targets.

• Manage field activities and operational expenses within approved budgets.

• Promote cost efficiency while maintaining service quality and portfolio standards.

• Compliance, Ethics & Client Protection (5%)

• Comply with VisionFund Kenya's credit policies, KYC requirements, AML/CFT controls, data protection, safeguarding and client protection standards.

• Maintain high levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability in all client dealings.

• Avoid conflicts of interest, unauthorized business dealings, solicitation of favours and unprofessional relationships with clients.

• Never handle client cash or loan repayments outside authorized organizational procedures.

• Promptly report suspected fraud, misconduct, safeguarding concerns and policy breaches.

• Other Duties as Assigned (2%)

• Undertake other reasonable duties assigned by the supervisor, consistent with the role and organizational requirements.

• Support branch operations and other activities that contribute to VisionFund Kenya's business objectives.

• Ideal Candidate Profile

• Required Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• Diploma in Business Administration, Marketing, Sociology or a related field.

• Relevant experience in microfinance, credit, sales, collections or customer relationship management is an added advantage for the Relationship Officer position.

• For the Relationship Intern position, demonstrated willingness to learn, initiative and interest in microfinance and financial inclusion are essential.

• Sound understanding of lending principles, credit assessment, client relationship management and responsible lending practices.

• Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess creditworthiness and identify potential risks.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation and customer service skills.

• Ability to work in a target-driven environment and achieve agreed performance objectives.

• Computer literacy and willingness to learn financial systems, including T24.

• High levels of accuracy, integrity, discipline, reliability and accountability.

• Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively within a team.

• Willingness and ability to undertake extensive field travel, approximately 70% of the working time.

• Willingness and ability to ride a motorbike where required, subject to the appropriate licence and safety requirements.

• Commitment to VisionFund Kenya's Christian identity, organizational values and standards of professional conduct.

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