Head, Risk Management at Strait Sahara Microfinance Bank Limited

Strait Sahara Microfinance Bank is a fast-paced start-up Microfinance Bank, led by a group of talented, passionate, and skilled individuals who take the mission to re-invent banking using innovation and technology to provide high-quality service seriously. The goal is to empower generations by providing our customers with specific products and services to help them increase their net worth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head, Risk Management

Location: Ikoyi, Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Description

• The Head, Risk Management will be responsible for establishing and managing the Bank’s enterprise-wide risk management framework, covering credit risk, delinquency management, operational risk, liquidity risk, and market risk, in line with regulatory requirements and business objectives.
• The role involves developing risk policies, frameworks, and governance structures, while providing strategic oversight to ensure effective identification, measurement, monitoring, and mitigation of risks across the Bank’s operations.
• The successful candidate will provide leadership in embedding a strong risk culture and ensuring the Bank operates within approved risk appetite in a startup digital microfinance banking environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Bank’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework.
• Establish and manage credit risk frameworks, including underwriting standards and portfolio monitoring.
• Design and implement delinquency management and recovery strategies.
• Monitor loan portfolio performance, including PAR, NPL ratios, and recovery rates.
• Develop and oversee operational risk management frameworks, including risk and control assessments.
• Identify and mitigate risks arising from processes, systems, and people.
• Establish frameworks for liquidity risk and market risk management.
• Monitor exposure to interest rate, funding, and liquidity risks.
• Define and maintain the Bank’s risk appetite framework and risk register.
• Ensure compliance with CBN risk management guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Develop risk reporting dashboards and provide regular risk reports to Management and the Board.
• Collaborate with Credit, Finance, Operations, and Technology teams to embed risk controls.
• Support the setup of risk policies, procedures, and governance structures from inception.

Requirements
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Mathematics, or related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as FRM, PRM, CFA, ACA, ACCA, or related qualifications are an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 12 years experience in Risk Management within banking or financial services.
• At least 7 years in a senior risk leadership role.
• Strong experience in credit risk, loan portfolio management, and collections / recoveries.
• Experience in microfinance banking or fintech environment is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to develop risk frameworks, policies, and systems independently.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks.
• Expertise in credit risk and loan portfolio management.
• Knowledge of delinquency management and recovery processes.
• Understanding of operational risk, liquidity risk, and market risk.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Ability to interpret financial and risk data.
• Knowledge of CBN regulations and microfinance banking operations.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Other Requirements:

• High level of integrity and professional judgment.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to operate effectively in a startup environment with evolving structures.
• Capacity to design and implement risk frameworks from ground zero.
• Strong leadership and team-building capability.

Remuneration

• Performance-based incentives linked to performance.

Application Closing Date
25th May, 2026.

How to Apply 
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online