At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead credit strategy and risk management for innovative financing in underserved markets.
- Company: Join the Near East Foundation, a pioneer in impactful economic development since 1915.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across diverse teams.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team transforming lives through enterprise finance.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in finance or risk management; passion for impactful work required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
Near East Foundation (NEF) has worked across the Middle East, Africa, and the Caucasus to expand economic opportunity, strengthen resilience, and support recovery in underserved and crisis-affected markets. NEF combines deep field presence with practical, broad network of long-term partners, scalable approaches that support enterprise growth, livelihoods, and locally led development.
NEF is seeking an Enterprise Financing Credit & Risk Lead to help execute and scale a global, decentralized enterprise financing platform built on proven models in blended finance, outcome-based instruments, revolving and evergreen funds, guarantees, first-loss structures, insurance-linked mechanisms, and partnerships with regulated financial institutions. This is a hands-on execution role for someone comfortable moving from credit architecture into deployment: turning proven approaches into disciplined underwriting, approval, monitoring, restructuring, and partner-risk systems that can work repeatedly across markets.
The postholder will help turn proven approaches into repeatable credit frameworks, approval processes, partner risk models, recovery pathways, and risk analytics that are workable in complex and underserved markets, while maintaining strong financial logic and alignment with NEF’s design principles: deep reach and inclusion, designed concessionally, responsible financing, last-mile objectives, and work through decentralized and localized partner relationships.
This position may be based within one of NEF's headquarters offices in London or Brussels. This position is supported by HQ’s finance, program and operation teams and decentralized country credit and servicing teams. It also involves travel to the countries of operation.
NEF’s global Enterprise Financing Platform pioneers and champions financing that reaches the last mile in fragile, crisis-affected, displacement-impacted as well as stable emerging but underserved markets. It shifts power and decision-making closer to entrepreneurs, communities and local institutions and enables capital to be reused, recirculated and governed over time rather than being spent once and depleted.
Key Responsibilities:
- Credit Strategy Execution and Platform Integration: Translate NEF strategy and Enterprise Financing Platform approach into effective and practical credit policy, risk appetite, approval authorities, and implementation standards.
- Underwriting and Approval Discipline: Lead development and continuous refinement of underwriting methodologies, due diligence tools, approval processes, and exception management across products and markets.
- Portfolio Risk, Monitoring, Restructuring, and Recovery: Oversee portfolio quality across countries, products, and vehicles, including delinquency trends, concentration risks, watchlists, and early warning indicators.
- Decentralized Delivery and Partner Risk Oversight: Design and maintain risk standards for localized and decentralized delivery through partner networks, including small last-mile actors, financial institutions, and other intermediaries.
- Compliance, Governance, and Control: Maintain credit-related governance and control standards relevant to enterprise and innovative finance, including delegated authority, documentation, policy compliance, and proportionate KYC/AML and sanctions considerations.
- Risk Analytics, Modelling, and Reporting: Oversee credit and risk assumptions used in platform financial modelling, including delinquency, default, loss, recovery, concentration, and stress scenarios.
- Internal Coordination and Capacity Support: Provide day-to-day support for decentralized credit and risk teams across the Enterprise Financing Platform.
Basic Requirements:
- Commitment to NEF’s mission and a strong interest in locally led, impactful work in complex environments.
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, international development, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in SME or enterprise finance, underwriting, credit analysis, portfolio risk, private credit, banking, financial institution risk, or related fields.
- Strong experience underwriting financing solutions, assessing counterparties or partner channels, and managing portfolio risk in practice.
- Fluency in English required; additional languages, especially Arabic and/or French, are an advantage.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working through partner networks, last-mile delivery actors, cooperatives, civil society organizations, or financial institutions to channel financing in a decentralized manner.
- Knowledge of regulatory, compliance, and risk issues relevant to enterprise financing, innovative finance, and cross-border operations.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must possess the legal right to work in the location for which they are applying.
- NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled.
To apply: Please apply by submitting the following documents to the Near East Foundation’s careers page at https://neareast.org/current-opportunities/: Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, Curriculum Vitae, List of three references.
Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Enterprise Financing Credit & Risk Officer employer: Near East Foundation
The Near East Foundation (NEF) is an exceptional employer that champions meaningful work in complex environments, offering a collaborative and inclusive culture where employees can thrive. With a strong commitment to professional development, NEF provides opportunities for growth through hands-on experience in innovative financing solutions that make a tangible impact on underserved communities. Located in vibrant cities like London and Brussels, NEF fosters a dynamic work environment that values diversity and encourages employees to contribute to transformative projects across the globe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Enterprise Financing Credit & Risk Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to NEF. Attend events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching NEF’s projects and values. Show that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for their mission and how your skills align with their goals. Tailor your responses to reflect their focus on inclusion and responsible financing.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background in credit and risk management can contribute to NEF’s enterprise financing platform. Keep it concise but impactful—highlight your experience with innovative finance and how it can make a difference in underserved markets.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining NEF and are familiar with their processes. Get your documents ready and hit that submit button!
We think you need these skills to ace Enterprise Financing Credit & Risk Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the role of Enterprise Financing Credit & Risk Officer. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with NEF's mission and values. We want to see your passion for locally led, impactful work!
Showcase Your Skills:In your CV, don’t just list your previous jobs; showcase your skills in credit analysis, risk management, and portfolio monitoring. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise and how you've made a difference in past roles. We love seeing real impact!
References Matter:When listing your references, choose people who can vouch for your skills and work ethic, especially in finance or risk management. A strong reference from your current or most recent employer can really boost your application. We’ll be reaching out, so make sure they’re ready!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers page! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining NEF and making a difference in underserved markets.
How to prepare for a job interview at Near East Foundation
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into NEF's mission and the specifics of the Enterprise Financing Credit & Risk Officer role. Familiarise yourself with blended finance, risk management, and the unique challenges faced in underserved markets. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Prepare to discuss your background in credit analysis, underwriting, and portfolio risk management. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to handle complex financial structures and partner relationships. Tailor your stories to highlight how you've successfully navigated similar challenges.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in NEF’s work and the Enterprise Financing Platform. Inquire about their approach to local partnerships or how they measure the impact of their financing solutions. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is right for you.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Challenges
Expect questions about how you would handle potential risks and challenges in credit and risk management. Think about scenarios where you've had to make tough decisions or adapt strategies in response to changing circumstances. Demonstrating your problem-solving skills will be key to impressing the interviewers.
