Company Profile

Advans is a leading microfinance group established in 2005. Advans mission is to respond to the need for financial services of small businesses and other populations who have ill-adapted, limited or no access to formal financial services. The Advans Group currently spans nine countries: Cambodia, Cameroon, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Pakistan, Nigeria, Tunisia and Myanmar. As at end October 2019, the group served more than 1,000,000 clients and employed more than 7,300 staff. Headquartered in Luxembourg with support services in Paris, the group’s shareholders are EIB, KfW, FMO, CDC Group plc, FISEA (AFD Group) and IFC.

Advans Ghana, subsidiary of the international microfinance group Advans, started its activities in 2008. The institution offers a full range of adapted financial products and services to micro, small and medium sized enterprises in Ghana. The institution serves more than 64,000 clients through a network of 20 points of sale and over 650 employees.

Job Description

Are you a young and energetic graduate, who has a passion for customer-centric and a good sales attitude OR do you have a proven experience in this field? Are you looking for a new challenge in a dynamic and multicultural environment? Do you want to contribute to a committed group, seeking to have a positive and sustainable impact? Advans Ghana, a leading MFI, has the position you are looking for.

Role is open in all branch networks. Candidates from Kumasi, Sunyani, and Techiman are strongly encouraged to apply.

What will your role be?
Reporting to the Branch Manager/ Team Leader, the Client Relationship Officer is responsible for prospecting for clients, appraising loan clients, and monitoring and developing his/her loan and deposit portfolio. The role holder is also responsible for developing the savings and deposits portfolio for the target groups.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Commercial Activities

• Organize prospecting and communication actions in the zone of intervention (Organize prospecting and communication actions in the zone of intervention (markets and commercial areas) by collaborating with his/her colleagues and other staff of the institution.
• Introduce Advans Ghana products and services to the target population.
• Follow up the prospects by regular contact with the identified potential clients.
• Propose new products and services to his/her current clients.
• Identify clients’ needs and propose new products/services to the management.
• Encourage clients to open deposit accounts and meet targets.
• Ensure that each customer receives outstanding service by providing a friendly environment, which includes greeting and acknowledging every customer, maintaining outstanding standards, solid product knowledge, and all other aspects of customer service.

2. Loan Activities

• Assist the clients with loan applications.
• Conduct loan appraisal and collect detailed information (personal, business, guaranties) on the field.
• Present the loan request to the loan committee.
• Organize recovery actions in case of late repayment.
• Maintain regular contact with clients by organizing visits to the field.
• Become a respected and active stakeholder in the intervention zone by spending most of the time on the field and creating a trusty relationship with small businessmen/women.

3. Administrative Activities

• Keep complete and detailed documentation on each client.

4. Organization and Control

• Prepare a weekly plan with expected tasks and visits to be done.
• Share information and best practices with staff.
• Report all the issues related to the job to the immediate supervisor.
• Analyse the client portfolio by using operational reports.

Performance Criteria
The Client Relationship Assistant shall demonstrate:

• Ability to meet objectives (quantitative and qualitative) determined by the operations department and branch manager.
• Ability to represent Advans Ghana in the branch by demonstrating professionalism and dynamism.
• Ability to respect policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage the information by using the MIS and keeping records in client files.
• Good communication skills.
• Good drive for initiatives.
• Ability to deliver clear, transparent, and accurate information to clients.
• Ability to manage the information by using the MIS and keeping records in the client files.
• Ability to become a key stakeholder in the intervention zone.
• Ability to adapt the communication depending on the type of clientele by speaking local languages and adapting the level of language.
• Ability to manage the information by using the MIS and keeping records in the client files.
• Ability to become a key stakeholder in the intervention zone.
• Ability to adapt the communication depending on the type of clientele by speaking local languages and adapting the level of language.

GENERIC ACTIVITIES

• Prospection, client/guarantor visits, loan disbursement, recovery

CHALLENGES

• Dealing with difficult clients
• Commuting in between different locations
• 80% of the work time on the field engaging customers

Required Skills or Experience

• At least an Higher National Diploma and/or Bachelor’s Degree
• A minimum of one (1) year working experience (National Service inclusive).
• Good mathematical ability, market appraisal skills, and knowledge of accounting.
• Practical knowledge of micro/small businesses and the market environment is an advantage.