Credit Officer

Sistema Bio

Nairobifull time2w ago

Quick Take

The Role

Evaluate farmer creditworthiness, manage loan portfolios, conduct field collections, and ensure repayment compliance for Sistema Bio's biodigester financing program.

You Need

4+ years last-mile lending experience, strong credit analysis and Excel skills, and empathy for smallholder farmer challenges.

You Get

High-impact work improving rural livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, hands-on field role with clear performance metrics, and mission-driven company in the cleantech/agritech space.

Job Description

•About the Company

Sistema Bio is a mission-driven company that provides smallholder farmers with biodigester technology, enabling them to convert organic waste into clean energy and natural fertiliser. Operating across multiple countries including Kenya, Sistema Bio is committed to improving livelihoods through sustainable agricultural solutions and innovative financing models that bring technology within reach of last-mile farmers.

•About the Role

As a Credit Officer, you will play a critical role in ensuring that farmers can access and successfully repay financing for their biodigesters. You will be responsible for evaluating creditworthiness, driving timely loan collections, and maintaining a healthy, high-performing credit portfolio — all in strict compliance with Sistema Bio's credit policies. This is a hands-on field and office role that requires strong analytical skills, empathy for smallholder farmers, and a results-driven mindset.

📋What You'll Do

Monitor and review the performance of credit accounts to ensure timely repayments and maintain a Portfolio at Risk (PaR) of less than 10%.
Review and evaluate credit applications in accordance with established credit policies and farmer risk profiles, with an approval turnaround of less than 72 hours.
Conduct field visits to customers in default, negotiate repayment plans, and resolve repayment challenges to achieve a minimum of 80% of monthly collection targets.
Educate clients on their repayment obligations, product warranties, and the consequences of non-payment, while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
Ensure full loan installments are paid on due dates, activate dormant accounts, and follow up with all customers in arrears through calls and in-person visits.
Collaborate closely with commercial, technical, and cross-functional teams to deliver tailored credit solutions and ensure full compliance with loan documentation requirements.

🎯What You Need

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
At least 4 years of experience in last-mile lending, preferably within microfinance or the SACCO sector.
Strong analytical and financial modelling skills, with solid knowledge of credit risk assessment and financial products.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage farmers and cross-functional teams effectively.
Proficiency in credit analysis tools, financial software, and MS Excel.
Strong attention to detail and a solid understanding of financial statements and accounting principles.
Working knowledge of industry regulations and compliance standards relevant to lending and credit management.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field
Minimum 4 years experience in last-mile lending, microfinance, or SACCO sector
Strong credit risk assessment and financial analysis skills
Proficiency in MS Excel and credit analysis software
Excellent communication skills in English and ability to engage farmers

Nice to Have

Experience with agricultural lending or rural finance
Knowledge of Kenya's microfinance regulations and CBK guidelines
Track record of exceeding collection targets above 85%
Experience with loan management systems or fintech platforms

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

KES 85k – 130k/moEstimated

Salary not specified; market-competitive for mid-level Credit Officer in Nairobi

Credit Officer salaries in Kenya's microfinance sector typically range from KES 80,000–140,000 monthly depending on experience, portfolio size, and company stage. Sistema Bio's mission-driven positioning and field-intensive role suggest mid-range compensation with possible performance bonuses tied to collection targets.

About Sistema Bio

Sistema Bio is a mission-driven fintech-agritech hybrid operating across East Africa that democratises access to biodigester technology for smallholder farmers, converting organic waste into clean energy and natural fertiliser. The company combines social impact with financial sustainability, using innovative credit models to serve last-mile farmers traditionally excluded from formal lending. Working here means being part of a scalable solution to rural poverty, climate action, and sustainable agriculture.

Likely Interview Questions

1
Walk us through a time you had to collect from a defaulting borrower in a difficult economic environment. How did you balance firmness with empathy?
2
Describe your approach to credit risk assessment—what red flags do you look for when evaluating a smallholder farmer's ability to repay?
3
How would you handle a situation where 20% of your portfolio falls into arrears in a given month? What steps would you take?
4
Tell us about your experience with microfinance or SACCO lending. What did you learn about the challenges of last-mile borrowers?
5
How would you use data and Excel modelling to improve collection rates or reduce portfolio risk in your first 90 days?

Application Tips

Emphasise quantifiable collection and recovery metrics from previous roles (e.g., 'Achieved 92% collection rate across 500+ borrowers, reduced PaR from 15% to 8% in 12 months').
Highlight hands-on field experience and direct borrower engagement—mention visits, negotiations, and relationship-building skills specific to rural or informal-sector clients.
Demonstrate familiarity with agricultural cycles, seasonal income patterns, or agri-business dynamics if you have it; show you understand farmer constraints and can design flexible repayment terms.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Credit Analyst or Junior Credit Officer at a microfinance institution or bank

Loan Officer at a SACCO or cooperative lending society

Field Agent or Collections Officer in microfinance

YOU

Where this leads

Senior Credit Officer or Credit Manager overseeing a team and larger portfolio

Portfolio Manager or Head of Credit at a microfinance or fintech company

Risk Officer or Credit Policy Manager at a development finance or impact investment organisation

Skills & Keywords

credit-managementmicrofinanceloan-collectionscredit-risksaccolast-mile-lendingeconomicsfinance-and-accountingbiodigesteragri-finance

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

Clear, measurable KPIs (PaR <10%, 80% collection targets, 72-hour approval turnaround) show the role is performance-driven with transparent accountability.
Mission-driven company solving real rural poverty and climate challenges—attractive to candidates seeking impact-oriented work beyond profit maximisation.
Hands-on, field-based role with cross-functional collaboration indicates variety, skill-building, and potential for rapid career growth in a scaling organisation.
Strong emphasis on farmer education and satisfaction alongside collections suggests a values-aligned employer that balances commercial discipline with social responsibility.

Watch Out

Salary not specified—clarify compensation, benefits, and performance incentive structure before applying, as field-intensive roles may have variable pay tied to collections.
High performance expectations (80% monthly collection target, <10% PaR, <72-hour approval turnaround) with no mention of support systems, team size, or technology tools—ask about workload and resources during interview.
Requires 4 years experience but posting does not mention salary band or career progression—typical for SMEs, but confirms this is not entry-level and warrants competitive negotiation.

A Day in the Life

☀️

A typical week includes 2–3 days in the field conducting customer visits: reviewing repayment progress with active borrowers, negotiating with clients in arrears, and educating farmers on warranty and consequences of default. Back in the Nairobi office, you spend time reviewing credit applications (aiming for <72-hour turnarounds), analysing portfolio performance metrics in Excel, and generating reports on PaR trends. You'll attend cross-functional team syncs with commercial and technical teams to align on loan structuring and customer solutions, and you'll spend significant time on phone follow-ups with dormant or late-paying customers. Late afternoons often involve updating loan management systems and preparing collection plans for the next week.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a Credit Officer at Sistema Bio?

You need a bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or a related field, plus at least 4 years of hands-on experience in last-mile lending, microfinance, or SACCOs. Strong Excel and credit analysis skills are essential.

Is the Credit Officer role at Sistema Bio remote or field-based?

This is a hybrid hands-on role requiring significant field visits to conduct customer due diligence, collections, and farmer education, combined with office-based credit analysis and portfolio management. It is not remote.

How much does a Credit Officer earn at Sistema Bio?

The posting does not specify salary. Based on Kenya's microfinance sector, a mid-level Credit Officer typically earns KES 85,000–130,000 monthly gross depending on experience and performance incentives. Ask Sistema Bio directly about compensation and bonus structure during recruitment.

What are the career growth opportunities for this role?

This role typically leads to Senior Credit Officer, Credit Manager, or Portfolio Manager positions as you grow your book and team leadership experience. Sistema Bio's scaling across multiple countries offers opportunities to move into regional roles or policy positions in fintech/development finance.

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