About Accion:

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly two billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build 267 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 75 countries, reaching 440 million people. More at https://www.accion.org.

About Accion Advisory:

We are a diverse and close-knit global team with one common social purpose: building a financially inclusive world for small businesses and low-income households. We are passionate about what we do – working with a wide range of financial service providers and other partners across the world to build sustainable businesses to achieve financial inclusion. We enjoy solving problems, being exposed to new ideas, sharing information, and asking, “what if?”

Position Summary 

The Senior Specialist in Data Analytics & Risk Management will use advanced analytics and statistical tools to support three core areas to help drive sustainable growth for our clients: Risk analysis (stability), credit analytics (insight), and growth strategies (quality). Through risk analysis, we help our partners critically evaluate an organization's internal and external risks with an integrated risk management approach. With credit analytics, we use deep data statistical techniques to ascertain the effectiveness of product design, customer identification, underwriting, renewal, and collection policies through traditional and digital channels. By better understanding the environment and data, we identify process improvement and product recommendations to help FSPs develop strategies to increase their efficiency, profitability, and customer base. Working as part of a global, cross-functional team and guided by an experienced Data Analytics & Risk Management Manager, the Senior Specialists in Data Analytics & Risk Management will represent Accion as an advisor to our clients and support various Data Analytics & Risk Management activities and strategies for our clients. They will also support the evolution of our risk management service offering, specifically on Machine learning and the application of unbiased AI techniques to improve advisory delivery capabilities.

Position Responsibilities:

For the FSPs with whom we establish Technical Assistance (TA) agreements, the Senior Specialist, Data Analytics, & Risk Management will provide the following support:

• In collaboration with the Manager, Data Analytics and Risk Management, lead the development and control of statistical transactional analytic models, integrating applicable Machine learning (ML) algorithms and relevant Artificial Intelillence (AI) techniques.
• Coordinating with the Data Base Analyst all the data requirements for ML algorithm deployment, statistical analysis, and tool development.
• Managing, developing, and implementing statistical models to support credit, collection, account maintenance, and recovery processes.
• Guiding to continuously validate the prediction capabilities of the statistical models developed and implemented.
• Validating, through statistical tools, the consistency of the information required for constructing the statistical and expert models required.
• Supporting the preparation and documentation of the specific ML developments and follow-up of related results.
• Developing and presenting training material to facilitate the implementation of the risk-based segmentation tools in the partner FSPs
• Contributing to the development of monitoring and maintenance tools for the risk-based segmentation tools implemented
•  Building capacity and assisting FSPs in implementing Accion’s Portfolio Risk Management tools, which are designed to help in:
• Monitoring and evaluating performance indicators of the loan portfolio and identifying trends for business growth, product acceptance, product cycle stage, and risk levels
• Monitoring and evaluating loan officer productivity levels
• Ensuring that overall business plan objectives are met and advising management on performance through timely reporting
• Producing portfolio quality analysis reports (Net flow/trend analysis, vintage analysis, early payment defaults, and was/is analysis)
• Evaluating the credit process flow to identify opportunities for improvement and recommendations for corrective strategies and tools
• Participate in conducting ongoing reviews and analyses of credit portfolios to determine delinquency patterns and recommend appropriate actions
• Support the documenting of the processes related to the implementation of risk analysis tools
• Collaborating in the development of policy and process guidelines for new products or commercial initiatives.
• Supporting strategic business development efforts, including participating in the creation of project proposals to clients and/or donors
• Participating with other members of Accion Advisory and Investments teams in the evaluation of potential investment and/or technical assistance partners
• Effectively representing and communicate the value of the team’s Data Analytics & Risk Management service offering and how it can be integrated into the support and advisory provide to client FSPs
• Contributing to the overall strategy and operations of Accion Advisory by providing insights on trends, areas for growth, and market positioning in Data Analytics & Risk Management
• Building Accion’s capacity by documenting and sharing project results and disseminating valuable information and tools through various knowledge exchange mediums such as brown bags, team meetings/debriefs, workshops, blogging, webinars, etc.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Minimum of BS/BA in Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Industrial Engineering, Economics, Finance or Business. MBA preferred.

•  Generally, 5+ years of experience in individual lending or retail operations in a regulated financial institution or fintech and/or implementing credit scores/credit models with financial institutions or fintech.

• Have significant experience applying advance analytics to business situations and proven ability to synthesize complex data to pull valuable insights, predictions and innovation from data; as well as deep understanding of modern machine learning techniques and their mathematical underpinning and can translate this into business implications.

• Experience in analytics methods such as predictive modelling, customer segmentation/ clustering.

• Proficient in at least on statistical and predictive modeling tools (Python, R o SPSS) and SQL.

• Can distill complex results or processes into simple, clear visualizations (bonus points Power BI/Tableau/advanced Excel)

• Statistical and financial skills, Credit Risk Modeling/Analysis, Data Mining, and financial knowledge.

• Knowledge of Portfolio Risk / Management within financial business.  A clear understanding of portfolio risks related to vintage and delinquency trends.

• Knowledge of market and operational risks.

• Excellent cost management and project management skills.

• Good written communication skills.

• Knowledge of standard reports required for Credit Business Management and experience ensuring data integrity and timely delivery.

• Fluency in English spoken and written is required. 

• Excellent relationship management with good presentation and commercial skills.  
• Ability to independently manage you own workstream in project based.
• Must be adaptable, innovative, and possess good analytical skills & sound judgment; customer-service oriented; strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; and ability to sell ideas and motivate staff.
• Interested in our mission and working globally.
• Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect and passion for social change.
• Excellence: Accion staff should always put forth their best effort in all activities, strive for high quality of collective and individual performance; and demonstrate honesty and integrity at all times while in the workplace and while working on behalf of the organization.
• Respect: Accion staff should value one another’s roles and responsibilities as much as their own, be encouraging, and value the diverse and unique perspectives of colleagues. They should honor obligations and commitments to each other and to external partners.
• Passion for Social Change: Accion staff should be committed to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, value the greater good of the organization over personal gain, and promote a productive workplace by acknowledging the accomplishments of others. 

• 40% of work requires travel to client sites.

Accion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Accion seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, or any other basis protected by law. Accion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.