Head of Operations Future Options Consulting Ltd

Pride Microfinance Limited (MDI) is a Microfinance Deposit- taking Institution regulated and supervised by Bank of Uganda (BoU) under the MDI Act, 2003 and MDI Regulations, 2004 with capital a base of Ugx. 168.6 billion. Pride’s purpose is transforming lives responsibly.

Pride offers innovative financial solutions to largely people at the base of the economic pyramid and serves its customers through 37 networked branches and 7 contact offices spread across the country. Pride implements sustainability sound practices throughout its business operations to create a positive impact through three sustainability pillars; economic, environment, and social as well as contributing to the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and their investable sub-goals that relate to microfinance activities.

Pride Microfinance Ltd would like to fill the following vacant position in preparation to transform into a Tier II Credit Institution.

Knowledge, Skills & Competences
• Knowledge of regulatory framework of the supervised financial institutions, operating systems and project management.
• Strong knowledge of back-office reconciliation processes and a tool for risk management and customer service delivery.
• Knowledge of interbank clearing and settlements, funds transfer, SWIFT systems.
• Strong exposure to banking technology solutions and understanding of project delivery methodologies and change management.
• Vendor relationship management.
• Strong understanding of digital transformation and the back-office process management.
• Computer based analytical skills and numeric problem skills.
• Governance, risk & controls and must be a person of integrity.
• Compliance management.
• Risk management and people management
• Expert knowledge of local and international regulatory frameworks.
• Analytical skills.
• Business acumen
• Stakeholder management

Responsibilities
Job Purpose:
The Head of Operations will be accountable for supervising Pride’s Backoffice operational functions including branch operations. He/she will also ensure that operational processes are in compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies while optimizing efficiency and cost control.

Responsibilities:
• Coordinate the development and review of the annual department work plan in line with the projected business growth.
• Put in place an effective centralized operations function for Pride’s cash management, trade services, payments, clearing, reconciliation, etc. to ensure efficient support to the business in line with service level agreements and the Pride’s policies and strategy.
• Responsible for re-engineering business processes to improve customer experience and ensure cost effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements relating to Banking Operations.
• Design, develop and keep updated the Pride’s operations manual and ensure compliance to all operational guidelines, processes and procedures.
• Ensure that effective documentation of user guides and implement operational improvements to reduce operational costs, tighten controls, and improve service quality and customer service.
• Establish and review key operational risk indicators/key control standards and formulate action plans to minimize the Pride’s exposure to fraud and losses.
• Manage operational risk exposure by supporting the Business to identify areas of operational risk exposure and by developing and implementing corrective action.
• Manage a business continuity plan for service delivery of the operations function
• Champion strategic implementation of the service delivery plan to ensure best customer experience in line with Pride’s standards and metrics.
• Devise & drive focus on self-service payments initiatives that ensure reduced cost of service and optimal customer convenience.
• Prepare the departmental annual budget and monitor monthly performance of the Business Unit with respect to the forecast budget and make periodic reports
• Provide overall strategic and supervisory leadership to the department and lead in the implementation of the performance management and Human Resources practices of Pride.

Qualifications
• A bachelor’s degree in commerce, finance, business administration, economics, statistics, mathematics, management, or similar relevant business-related fields.
• Possession of a banking, accounting or finance certification or master’s degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• Relevant practical trainings in banking operations.

Details of experience
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in supervised financial services institutions with at least 5 years at a senior management level.
• Experience in business continuity management and development of business recovery plans.