Job Description

Summary

The Branch Manager (BM) is responsible for growth and sustainability of His/her assigned Branch Office, including strategic direction, marketing, operations financial analysis and control, portfolio and staff planning, organizing resources, reporting, and controlling all operations. In accordance with corporate standards, the BM manages front and back office operations and administration. Serving as the line manager for all staffs at the Branch, including credit, Saving, Back office, administrative, and all others based at the Branch. The BM ensures achieving portfolio outreach goals according to the strategic and operational plans and for Branch financial sustainability. The BM is also responsible for human resources oversight, team building, and overall leadership along with a selection of key financial services personnel for the Branch in collaboration with the HR department and Regional Manager. The BM is responsible for marketing and community relations in the branch area of operation. BMs are expected to take the initiative to suggest improvements to FINCA’s operations and methodology.

Essential Duties

Branch Business Management

• Guide and oversee FINCA product delivery to achieve the goals and objectives of the strategic and operational plans for the branch, including the achievement of Branch NOM, outreach goal (loan and savings portfolio, loan client and savers), PAR, etc. goals as measured on a monthly and ongoing basis.

• Ensure quality FINCA product delivery through regular field visits, including the monitoring and evaluation of marketing/sales efforts, business analysis and client screening, loan disbursements, payment collection, and other aspects. Coach front office personnel on ways to improve all aspects of product delivery and customer satisfaction. Ensure a high level of customer service to all clients, internal and external. Maintain customer retention levels as set out in the operating plan.

• Actively participate regularly in Credit Committees to ensure a high technical quality of business analysis and credit approvals. Mentor other Credit Committee members to strengthen their capacity to make effective credit decisions.

• Assure a high level of efficiency and accuracy in all back office operations, at a level that supports the front office staff and results in customer satisfaction.

• Ensure through appropriate processes and training that the Branch administrative department operates at a high level providing adequate support to microfinance operations. To be measured by keeping operating costs to plan while maintaining an acceptable level of internal customer satisfaction (i.e. no complaints from staff).

• Share best practices, systems, policies, procedures and documentation among Branch personnel. Propose improvements to existing systems, policies, and procedures to the Regional Manager, and assist in implementing new ideas.

Support the design, testing, and roll-out of new/ revised products, as required. Propose modifications to product design as appropriate

Human Resources Management

• Provide leadership to all branch staff in the service of creating a team that is professional at all times and with a strong compliance environment including ensuring regular communication of all FINCA policies.

• Oversee Branch staffing to ensure efficiency, productivity, and smooth operations.

• Make recommendations to the Regional Manager for changes to staffing (including hiring, firing, promotion) as appropriate in accordance with HR policy and as decided by or agreed with the Regional Manager.

• Build strong teams and develop the capacity of staff members to assume management roles as evidenced by having a pool of qualified internal candidates available to fill vacancies.

• Ensure performance of the Branch meets established standards. Carry out the requirements of FINCA Tanzania on staff performance management system. Establish performance plans with all staff under his/her line management, consistent with the FINCA Tanzania operating plans and strategic plan. Conduct performance evaluations for line staff in accordance with established procedures.

• As part of the performance management system in place at the branch, and on an ongoing basis, identify training and development needs for Branch personnel. Work with the Regional Manager and other designated training staff to ensure that all staff members have a documented training and professional development plan in place. Participate in, and provide feedback on the effectiveness of training initiatives.

• Ensure Branch compliance with FINCA Tanzania Personnel Manual and related policies and procedures in the service of maintaining a transparent and equitable human resources environment and so that the Branch is known as an employer of choice in the region.

• Maintain a working environment of high ethical standards and morale that promotes mutual respect, understanding, trust, and cooperation among all staff members.

• Maintain a work environment of open and ongoing communication. Conduct regular staff meetings to discuss Branch issues and review progress toward objectives, to resolve problems and coordinate responses to issues arising from day-to-day operations, and to discuss changes in systems, policies or procedures, or other critical information. Build a sense of teamwork among the staff.

Reporting and Controlling

• Monitor Branch performance versus plan, and provide explanations to the Operations Manager for variances.

• Complete weekly Branch reports and internal audit responses in the specified formats and submit to the Operations Manager in accordance with established standards and deadlines.

• Facilitate effective internal audit activities, and ensure rapid follow-up on issues raised by internal auditors.

• Ensure Branch compliance with all FINCA Tanzania policy manuals, and other policy guidance documentation as put in effect by the Management board.

Branch Financial Analysis and Cost Control

• Interpret Branch financial statement with an understanding of branch level profit drivers and underlying causes of risk.

• Monitor and control Branch expenses improving operational sustainability.

• Assist the Operations Manager, as required, with Branch budget management, as required.

Strategic Direction and Planning

• Develop annual targets and outreach plans for the Branch, and submit these to the Regional Manager for further review.
• Develop month on month targets and outreach plans for each front staff at the Branch, and submit these to the Regional Manager for further review 

• Manage the branch cash flow and liquidity planning through on time submission of disbursement projections and operational expense requirements.

• Create and submit human resources and staffing plans and updates to the Management Team on a quarterly basis.

• Provide input to the Training and Development Manager, as appropriate, to assist in the development of training plans for FINCA Tanzania.

• Assist in planning for new product release, market due diligence, expansion to new operational areas, and other expansion activities as assigned.

Marketing and Community Relations

• In accordance with FINCA Tanzania marketing plan, ensure the ongoing promotion of financial services in the assigned operating area. Recommend new/ improved marketing mechanisms as appropriate to the region. 

• Liaise with strategic partners, including commercial bank partners, institutions and other external entities to ensure effective partnerships and operations in the assigned area.
• Promote positive linkages and communication between the branch, surrounding community as well as head office.

• Perform any other duties as required or requested by the Head Office.

Job Requirements