LANDT is a group of aligned companies with headquarters in Germany and offices in Central Asia. The group is focused on the establishment and management of Credit Guarantee Funds (CGFs) for the promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. CGFs are market-friendly interventions that share the risk of SME lending of financial institutions and thereby facilitate access to finance for SMEs. Currently, LANDT has two such Funds – one operating in Tajikistan and the other one in Afghanistan. LANDT together with its subsidiaries in the two countries has in total 60 staff members. The two CGFs were financed through the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, the World Bank, DEG, the German Investment and Development Corporation, OeEB, the Development Bank of Austria and FMO, the Dutch Development Bank. Further business expansion to other countries and regions is planned.

We are looking for a SME Lending Specialist (Operations Lead) – f/m

Core tasks include:

-You will manage the organization and implementation of the guarantee operations of LANDT’s CGFs in compliance with the respective policies and procedures.

-You will further develop these operations and the respective manuals so as to improve efficiency and scalability.

-You will be responsible for facilitating achievement of the strategic goals of LANDT, specifically that the CGFs managed by LANDT achieve the desired development impact, increase their sustainability and follow their ambitious growth paths as per their budgets in terms of business volume and portfolio quality.

-You will oversee the progress of CGF-related consultancy assignments and supervise the experts working on these assignments.

-You will be responsible for the evolution and improvement of the credit risk management of LANDT in coordination with the Risk Department.

-You will support the managing partners in maintaining a positive relationship with the Partner Financial Institutions (PFIs) and support management in shaping a positive perception by the PFIs of the cost and benefits of cooperation with LANDT.

-You will become part of the Guarantee Operations Department and, in coordination with Management and Operations Officers, provide guidance and supervision to the operational departments of the subsidiaries in line with LANDT’s strategic and operative goals.

-You will identify products, innovation and risk management improvements for the PIs and feed respective initiatives into the Technical Assistance Department.

-You will be responsible for providing operations-related input and suggestions for improvements for the periodic meetings with shareholders.
In coordination with the managing partners, you will be responsible for strategic planning for new projects and consultancy assignments.

We are seeking candidates with the following Qualifications:

-Academic degree preferably in a business-related subject.

-From four to eight years of work experience in the financial sector, specifically in SME credit and development finance.

-Strong project management and organizational skills.

-Experience in stakeholder relationship management.

-Convincing personality and ability to work in different cultural contexts.

-Excellent communication skills (oral and in writing).

-Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications.

-Commitment to and sincere interest in the philosophy and goals of development cooperation.

-Excellent command of English language.

-Expandable German skills and further languages, e.g. Russian, French, Portuguese or Arabic, would be of advantage.

The regular workplace will be located in Berlin.

Travels to Tajikistan and other places will be necessary. Travels to Kabul, Afghanistan are only allowed in case of a stable security situation. Our Afghan activities are covered by the security system of German GIZ-RMO.