Credit Risk Specialist; MFI

HEART of a missionary — a passion for growing in your relationship with Christ and helping others know and follow Him

MIND of a businessperson — skills in management, finance, accounting, systems, communication, etc.

SOUL of a development worker — the mentality of equipping people to help themselves

The credit risk specialist is responsible as the primary underwriter for large loans in the HOPE network. This role will ensure consistent credit standards across the network and will lead a cross‑functional team responsible for using customer data to reduce loan turnaround time and improve credit risk performance. The senior credit risk specialist will also monitor and analyze credit risk performance for the global network and provide timely analysis for effective management of loan portfolios.

Location: Lancaster, PA;
Durham, NC;
Kigali, Rwanda; or Nairobi, Kenya, United States

Level: Senior Professional

Salary range: $65,000-$75,000*

Type: Full-time

Department: Microfinance

Reports to: Senior Director of Microfinance

• Promote and contribute to the fulfillment of HOPE International’s mission
• Underwrite and approve large loan applications for HOPE-managed MFIs
• Oversee global loan underwriting standards and loan assessment tools
• Champion best practices related to credit risk management
• Monitor and analyze credit risk performance for the network, providing timely information for effective management of loan portfolios
• Propose proactive measures and actions to correct poor performing KPIs to minimize credit loss
• Develop, review, and update HOPE’s global and local MFI credit policies
• Produce regular and ad‑hoc analyses for special projects, reports, and presentations focused on risk for management
• Analyze HOPE-managed MFI interest rate pricing strategies and risk‑based pricing models
• Manage, monitor, and report loan concentrations to ensure compliance against internal credit limits and all regulatory limits
• Ensure compliance with all lending policies, procedures, and local credit regulations
• Collaborate with data teams to review credit‑deciding and credit scoring models to align with the local MFI’s risk appetite while improving operational efficiency
• Work in coordination with and advise local MFI board credit committees
• Review all loan write‑off and credit loss forecasts and recommend for local board approval

• Personal confession of Christian faith and commitment to the mission of HOPE International
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, banking, economics, statistics, or equivalent
• At least 7 years of professional experience in microfinance, international banking, or financial services, with 5 or more years focused on credit analysis and underwriting
• Self‑motivated organizational skills, including effective time management and prioritization of multiple deadlines
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with employees across the organization, locally and remotely, across cultures, and with external stakeholders
• Cross‑cultural living experience preferred
• Strong analytical skills and high level of attention to detail
• Experience working with credit modeling and credit scoring algorithms and software
• Full professional proficiency in English language
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 75 days per year

* Note on salary: HOPE International determines starting salary ranges based on internal equity and the external market. Because we take a market-based approach to pay, this salary range is specific to US-based employment. Hires made in other countries will have a salary range based on local market factors and this range will be disclosed during the interview process.

Our mission:

At HOPE International, we invest in the dreams of families in the world's underserved communities as we proclaim and live the Gospel.

Resources: If you're part of a church, nonprofit, or school and would like to learn more about HOPE's methodology, visit our resource library. To learn more about implementing HOPE's savings group (SG) methodology, visit our SG Multiply page. To learn more about HOPE's Microfinance Accelerator Program (MAP), visit here. 227 Granite Run Drive, Suite 250, Lancaster, PA 17601 •  
• Email us