Overview

VisionFund Kenya is a dynamic financial services company and a key investment of World Vision Kenya, committed to fostering sustainable financial inclusion. Learn more at www.visionfundkenya.co.ke.

The Risk and Compliance Manager’s role is to establish and sustain a robust Risk and Compliance Framework that ensures effective identification, mitigation, and monitoring of Operational, Credit, and Regulatory risks across VisionFund Kenya.
The role safeguards institutional integrity, embeds risk ownership, ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and supports strategic business execution through proactive risk management, control enhancement, and staff capacity building.

Key Result Areas (KRAs) and Expected Outcomes

Key Area

Operational & Credit Risk Oversight (40%)

• Lead field-level operational and credit risk reviews
• Monitor portfolio quality, branch control environment, and loan process integrity
• Conduct root cause analyses of losses and frauds
• Maintain and test BCP & DRP

 Enterprise Risk & Compliance Framework (25%)

• Maintain organization-wide risk and compliance framework
• Monitor KRIs, KPIs, and regulatory compliance (AML/CFT, Data Protection, DCP Regulations)
• Serve as MLRO and regulatory liaison

Planning, Analytics & Reporting (20%)

Develop risk plans, budgets, and dashboards
Analyze and report audit and compliance findings
Prepare quarterly Board and VFI reports
Risk Culture & Training (10%)

Implement organization-wide risk and compliance training
Build risk champions in branches and departments
Run awareness sessions and communication programs
Leadership & Special Projects (5%)

Participate in strategic reviews, process improvement, and cross-functional risk projects
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Zero major regulatory or compliance breaches
≤5% operational loss events recurring
≤5% unresolved audit findings >12 months
100% completion of quarterly BCP/DRP tests
≥85% audit recommendations implemented within due date
Portfolio at Risk (PAR >30 days) ≤5%
100% branches with updated risk registers
Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports: Risk Officers / Compliance Officers
Liaises with: Operations, Finance, Internal Audit, IT, HR, and Branch Managers
Ideal Candidate Profile

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field; Professional certification (CPA, ACCA, CIA, CISA, CRMA, etc.) preferred.
Minimum 5 years’ experience in Risk, Compliance, or Internal Audit in the Microfinance or Financial Services sector.
Strong analytical, communication, and influencing skills.
Proven experience in credit risk, operational risk, and regulatory compliance.
Key Competencies:

Risk Management Expertise

Deep knowledge of Operational, Credit, and Regulatory risk frameworks.
Proven ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in a financial services environment.
Regulatory Compliance

In-depth understanding of local and international financial regulations and legal frameworks (e.g., CBK, AML/CFT, GDPR).
Experience ensuring compliance with both internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
Strategic Thinking & Execution

Ability to align risk and compliance initiatives with organizational strategy.
Supports business decision-making through risk insights and scenario planning.
Internal Controls & Audit Readiness

Strong grasp of internal control systems, audit processes, and corrective action implementation.
Capacity to strengthen organizational resilience through control enhancement.
Leadership & Influence

Demonstrated experience in promoting a risk-aware culture across diverse teams.
Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence without direct authority.
Training & Capacity Building

Skilled in designing and delivering training programs to build institutional risk and compliance capabilities.
Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable risk intelligence.
Quick to identify root causes and implement effective, sustainable solutions.
Communication & Reporting

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear risk reporting and policy documentation.
Ability to present complex issues to senior leadership in an accessible, decision-ready format.
Ethics & Integrity

High ethical standards, confidentiality, and a strong commitment to organizational values.
Change Management

Ability to lead or support change initiatives related to compliance, controls, or risk culture.