Summary
The Collections and Workout Officer is primarily responsible for all of Root Capital’s collections and workout efforts across Africa. S/he has responsibilities to represent the organization and its regional activities to internal and external stakeholders, including clients and value chain actors.
Working with Root Capital
- Our team members work hard to tackle the challenges inherent in changing the world for the better, so we strive to cultivate an environment in which it feels great to work. Working for Root Capital you can expect to enjoy the following:
- Diverse and dynamic team: with staff based in the United States, Latin America, Indonesia, East Africa, and West Africa. Our team is highly collaborative, and we regularly consult with one another to gain expertise or a new perspective.
- Flexibility: once a week, avoid the commute and join your team from the comfort of your home via videoconference.
- Dress: dress in the way that makes you feel most productive, from business casual to jeans.
- Coffee: Did we mention the coffee? We take it very seriously; it’s high quality and always available!
Mission and History of Root Capital
Root Capital is a nonprofit social investment fund whose mission is to grow rural prosperity in poor, environmentally vulnerable places in Africa, Latin America, and Asia by lending capital, delivering financial training and strengthening market connections for small and growing agricultural businesses. Root Capital clients include associations and private businesses that help create sustainable livelihoods by aggregating the products of hundreds, and often thousands, of farmers.
Since our launch in 1999, we have provided more than $1 billion in credit to over 650 small and growing agricultural businesses. Root Capital envisions a thriving financial market serving agricultural businesses that generate long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability for small-scale farmers and their communities around the world. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Root Capital currently has associated offices in Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Senegal, and Kenya.
Responsibilities
Education/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Business Administration required
- Minimum of eight (8) years professional work experience required
- Minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience in commercial lending or related financial services in the debt collection department required
- Experience in debt collection from a commercial bank and loan underwriting required
- Experience working with rural SMEs in a developing country context, preferably with involvement in business’ financial management required
Skills
- Relevant qualifications in all aspects of debt collections required
- Demonstrated ability to manage priorities encouraged
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a variety of stakeholders across multiple geographies desired
- Excellent communication and organizational skills desired
- Ability to understand, apply and explain pertinent laws and procedures concerning collections and business risks is desired
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English required
- Knowledge of French preferred but not required
- Candidates with excellent attention to detail preferred
- Proactive, service-oriented attitude desired
- Strong attitude towards compliance desired
Work Environment and Physical Demands
Domestic and international travel, one week per month often to remote regions with limited medical, transport, communications and lodging facilities is a key part of this role.
Salary
Commensurate with experience
Applications and Nominations
More information about Root Capital is available at www.rootcapital.org
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. We will only receive applications that includes: resume and cover letter describing your interest, qualifications, language abilities, salary requirements, and how you learned of the position should be sent “jobsafrica@rootcapital.org”. Please type “Collections and Workout Officer” followed by your name (Last, First) as the subject line of your email (e.g. Collections and Workout Officer – Gachuna, Fred). Finalist candidates will be required to provide at least three work-related references.
Root Capital does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.