IT Specialist

Organizational Overview/Background:

Our client is a one of the leading fintechs from MENA region who have been identified in the Forbes List of top 5 fintechs in their home market. Having established their presence in North Africa, the team is expanding in Pakistan, GCC and other markets offering opportunity in financial inclusion for MSMEs

Pakistan Plan : The team is building with the vision of having a Financially Included with empowered MSME capability of scaling internationally. The target of Financial Inclusion is targeted for an achievement through a commercially directed platform for MSMEs

As part of the commitment to increasing access of capital for SME sector, this new enterprise will be incorporated as a Non-Bank Financial Company (NBFC) registered with SECP which will be solely focused on providing Credit and Financial Services to the SME Sector which is under-served when compared to other countries in the region.

Our vision is to create a best in class NBFI that can innovate, use cutting edge technology and think of out of the box solution for providing customized solutions for financing needs of the SMEs. The entity will be headquartered in Lahore but is expected to expand its operations across Pakistan gradually.

Position Overview:

The Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for building and managing a team that will operationalize NBFC during the initial start-up phase over the next few years as per the business plan and vision of the parent organization.

To accomplish the ambitious goal of expanding access of credit to SMEs and given the start-up nature of the business, this role will require the CEO to be very hands-on and have an entrepreneurial mindset for solving some of the major issues facing SMEs in Pakistan.

CEO will be reporting to the board of Directors of NBFC and will be required to provide clear leadership and direction to the new institution, ensuring solid operating and financial performance, recruiting and developing the talent needed to accomplish high performance standards and overseeing the implementation new operational systems and procedures.

The position holder will have primary responsibility for achieving the ambitious growth strategy developed by the stakeholders, and for positioning the NBFC as a leading provider of high-quality financial services to the customers.

Job Responsibilities:

The CEO will develop the strategy for Board s approval and thereafter implement the approved strategy guided by the vision of the NBFC. He will provide the leadership by assembling a highly effective team and building the culture necessary for the achievement of vision.

1. Leadership and Networking: Building a strong team across the board and leading from the front to establish a strong corporate culture that permeates across the entity and ensuring high standards of performance and successful realization of agreed upon objectives.

Ensuring that second tier leadership is strengthened and developed as per the needs of the organization. Developing and implementing a strong mentoring, coaching and learning environment within the organization and all times upholding the ethics and promoting the mission of the organization.

Developing, promoting, upholding and delivering strong and visible leadership norms at all levels, representing the organization at different forums and ensuring a strong buy in into the vision and mission and core values of the organization at all levels.

2. Strategic Planning: Developing and successfully implementing the long-term strategic vision and strategic plan for the institution and ensuring long term institutional goals are clearly articulated and fully realized and maintaining the organizations edge as a dynamic development finance institution. Developing and delivering on clear strategy to ensure the profitability of the institution based on agreed upon time lines, along with the buy in and the cooperation of all team members and stakeholders.

3. Human Resource: Providing ongoing oversight to the HR department, developing and implementing sound and effective HR policies and their implementation and generating an environment of fair play and objectivity. Ensuring NBFC has a strong, reliable and honest workforce with a strong buy in into the mission, vision and core values of the organization.

4. Policies: development of internal controls, processes and policies for the organization in line with the strategic objectives

5. Marketing and Business Development: Developing, designing and implementing a sound and effective corporate branding strategy and ensuring its evolution and time lines considering the competitive environment in the sector. Reviewing and updating the portfolio of the products available in the light of the changing needs of the client and ensuring NBFC competitive advantage across markets and across the sector supporting the research function in the analysis for new products, innovations, competitors and market development and ensuring their incorporation in the strategic plans.

6. Credit Management: Developing a strong business model for ensuring the development and growth of high-quality portfolio of assets while meeting the development objectives of increasing access of finance for SMEs. Ensuring the timely management of portfolio quality related matters, regularly analyzing all credit related information, analyzing trends and developing and implementing sound credit management policies and procedures at all levels and implementing a strong credit culture. Maintaining adequate loan loss reserves and from time to time reviewing prudential policies for the organization in light of regulatory body s regulations.

7. IT Management /Technology, Alternate Delivery Channels, Operations: Overseeing the design, development and deployment of a complete business solution deploying the best practices in the IT industry in the light of the growing needs of the organization along with developing a strategy for alternative delivery channels and formulating adequate operational polices.

8. Regulatory Engagement and Oversight: Ensuring all regulatory requirements are completed on time as per the regulators standards and ensuring the relationship with the regulator is sound and strong. Managing long term relationships with regulatory stakeholders of SECP and SBP.

9. Risk Management: Undertaking an institutional risk assessment on a quarterly basis identifying key gaps in the overall institutional framework and proposing recommendations. Focusing on ways and means and devising strategies to control and manage the following: portfolio quality, policies compliance, efficiency, productivity, profitability and establishing institutional wide targets/goals. Developing and implementing a culture of accountability and transparency across the board.

10. Financial Inclusion Investors and Ecosystem : Continuously canvassing/marketing to new donors and multilateral agencies for risk participation programs and strengthening and solidifying relationship with fintech partners and ecosystem players.

11. EMI Licensing Program: Supervising the licensing and SBP engagement for the Principle approval

12. Inorganic Growth, M&A Programs : Constantly review and assess the landscape for inorganic growth opportunities, constantly liaise with the international M&A teams based out of Head office to realize the ongoing vision and leadership.

13. Board Participation: Participating in Board meetings and spearheading the implementation of the executive body and other related committees.

Requirements

Education:

• Master s Degree in Business/ Economics, Finance or related field is required
  
• Expertise and knowledge of a wide range of banking products, including loans and savings.
  
• Advanced knowledge of commercial banking / SME Banking operations, Supply Chain Financing/ Factoring/ Receivable
  
• Financing products and services as well as knowledge of standard regulatory compliances and risk management practices
  

• At least fifteen years of direct experience in financial services, at least 10 of which should have been in senior management positions in a commercial / SME/ Microfinance bank or similar financial services company.
  
• Demonstrated experience leading and building cohesive, high performing teams.
  

• Experience of setting up a start-up entity would be preferable
  
• Should have a strategic outlook and maturity with an ability to work with the management to build a large, commercially successful enterprise
  

• Could train, mentor and motivate a growing team
  
• Influencing and stakeholder management skills: Possess necessary maturity and influencing skills to handle negotiations and manage external and internal stakeholders
  

• Should be detail oriented, proactive to business changes and a team player willing to take ownership where needed
  
• Possess an entrepreneurial mind-set with a passion for SME financing
  
• Proven ability and track record of achieving results in a fast pace, rapid growth environment through use of Innovation and Technology
  
• Have impeccable integrity and high personal ethics, should be a respected leader in the industry who can build and foster relationships to position the NBFC as a leading market player.
  

Benefits

• Market Competitive