SME Client Support Afghanistan LLC (SCSA) is a consulting and service company established in 2015 and registered with the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency. Headquartered in Kabul, SCSA is fully owned by the Afghan Credit Guarantee Foundation (ACGF), a Cologne-based foundation dedicated to improving access to finance for Afghanistan’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

ACGF achieves this by sharing credit risk with Afghan partner financial institutions and enhancing their SME lending capacity through technical assistance. Additionally, ACGF provides grants to Afghan MSMEs, with SCSA supporting its operations.

Operating under a service contract with ACGF, SCSA delivers a wide range of support services but is not a financial institution and does not offer financial services directly. Currently, SCSA employs approximately 45 staff members.

The Risk Manager will play a key role in shaping and overseeing risk management practices in close collaboration with ACGF senior management. This position offers a dynamic and challenging environment, with exposure to a broad range of operations and complex risk scenarios.

The Risk Manager will be responsible for managing all aspects of daily risk operations while driving continuous improvements in risk management frameworks, processes, and controls. The role involves developing and implementing new risk management tools and techniques to enhance overall risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with ACGF senior management to refine and strengthen risk management strategies.
• Oversee and manage day-to-day risk operations, ensuring effective governance and compliance.
• Identify emerging risks and develop strategies to mitigate potential threats.
• Enhance and implement new risk management tools and techniques to improve risk assessment and control measures.
• Provide insights and recommendations for improving risk frameworks and operational processes.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure risk governance is integrated into decision-making.
• Lead efforts to continuously enhance risk monitoring, reporting, and mitigation strategies.

This role is ideal for a proactive and analytical professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to contribute to the evolution of risk management practices within SCSA and ACGF.

Risk Manager – Scope of Work

The Risk Manager will play a critical role in ensuring effective risk governance and compliance within SCSA and ACGF. This position requires close collaboration with the ACGF Risk Department and key internal stakeholders to monitor, assess, and mitigate financial and operational risks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Risk Governance & Compliance
• Integrate risk management into decision-making processes in collaboration with the ACGF Risk Department.
• Develop and enforce risk frameworks to ensure compliance and operational risk mitigation.
• Risk Assessment & Monitoring
• Identify emerging risks and contribute to risk mitigation strategies for SCSA and ACGF.
• Monitor and report macroeconomic and country-specific trends impacting risk exposure.
• Conduct ongoing credit risk analysis, including portfolio management and borrower creditworthiness assessments (onsite MSME visits).
• Credit & Claims Oversight
• Participate in guarantee and claim committees, providing risk-related insights.
• Evaluate and report on loan and claim reviews, identifying exceptions, trends, and concerns.
• Monitor problem guarantees as part of the second line of defense.
• Operational Risk & Process Improvement
• Identify and communicate operational and credit assessment weaknesses.
• Provide recommendations to enhance internal risk processes and systems.
• Collaborate with risk and operations teams to assess management controls.
• Compliance & Reporting
• Work closely with the Compliance Department to manage compliance risks.
• Prepare monthly trend and portfolio risk reports, adjusting analysis as needed.
• Leadership & Special Projects
• Supervise and oversee the work of SCSA Risk Credit Officers in coordination with the ACGF Risk Department.
• Participate in task forces and special projects as assigned by the Line Supervisor.

Additional Duties:

• Support financial and operational assessments of current and potential partner institutions.
• Assist in planning and designing credit risk-based monitoring plans for ACGF.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Line Supervisor.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Banking & Finance, Economics, International Relations, Business Management, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience in risk management or a similar role.
• Risk & Credit Expertise:Deep understanding of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and key risk processes.
• Expert knowledge of Credit Policies & Procedures, covering both pre- and post-disbursement aspects.
• Experience in risk assessment, compliance, and credit monitoring.
• Regulatory & Industry Knowledge:Familiarity with legal banking regulations and the Afghanistan banking sector.
• Understanding of Microfinance (MF) institutions and their risk dynamics.
• Knowledge of Islamic Finance principles is a plus.
• Awareness of compliance, Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws and regulations.
• Skills & Competencies:Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex information and key takeaways.
• High level of integrity, fairness, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Language Proficiency: Fluent in English, Dari, and Pashto (additional languages are an asset).

What We Offer

• Competitive Compensation
• Professional Development: Training opportunities for career growth.
• Impactful Work: Contribute to meaningful economic development in Afghanistan.
• Supportive Work Environment: Autonomous and results-driven culture with short communication and decision-making processes.
• Employee Benefits:Provident fund scheme
• Daily lunch provided in the office
• Transportation allowance
• Health cost support
• Communications allowance

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online at https://acgf.bamboohr.com/careers/205?source=aWQ9MTU%3D.

Please submit the following documents:

• A 1-page cover letter
• Your updated CV
• Three professional references

Important: Mention “Application for the position of Risk Manager (SCSA LLC/2025/204)” in the subject line of your cover letter.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.