Loan Officer - Near East Foundation UK

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Loan Officer

Near East Foundation UK

Raqqa

Full-time

Loan Officer (Raqqa)

Department

Syria سوريا

Employment Type

Full-Time

Minimum Experience

Mid-level

Title: Loan Officer

Reports to: Loan coordinator

Location: Raqqa

Type: Full-time Project

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for a Loan Officer position to be based in Raqqa. NEF is a non-profit international development organization that has supported livelihoods recovery and community-based economic development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus since 1915. NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to improve livelihoods and local governance among conflict and crisis-affected groups, while maintaining neutrality and ensuring inclusiveness in our approach. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF has operations in ten countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our programs are organized around three pillars: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

Position Description

The Loan Officer will oversee the design and evolution of financial products for the project. He/she will provide support to the structuring study consultant, acting as a liaison between potential customers, partners and NEF, and implementing the structuring study recommendations throughout the course of the project.

Responsibilities:

Review and verify all loan applications to ensure completeness and accuracy.
Prepare and share the list of applicants and planned visits with Field Associates in alignment with the workplan.
Develop detailed visits workplans jointly with Field Associates, the Center Manager, and the Loan Coordinator based on the lists shared on the Loan Management System (LMS).
Conduct social verifications in coordination with Field Associates to validate applicant information.
Supervise and participate in site monitoring visits with Field Associates during client registration (CR) and loan collection visits.
Monitor overdue borrowers, ensure timely follow-up, and report updates to the line supervisor.
Provide technical and behavioral guidance to Field Associates regarding visit protocols and data collection for client registration.
Maintain regular communication with borrowers/beneficiaries to provide updates, guidance, and support.
Ensure full adherence to credit policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and compliance requirements.
Assess applicants’ financial eligibility and loan feasibility in collaboration with the loan coordinator.
Oversee follow-up visits and restructuring of loans for borrowers when required.
Ensure all lending activities comply with internal policies, donor requirements, and local laws and regulations.
Perform any other duties assigned by the loan coordinator, Credit Team or management

Qualifications and Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in loan processing, credit management, financial product development, or loan review.
Solid understanding of direct and indirect lending practices, credit assessment, and loan documentation procedures.
Knowledge of financial compliance regulations and risk management standards.
Familiarity with loan management systems
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and relevant financial software.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively under pressure and travel frequently to field locations.

NEF will accept rolling applications until the position is filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents:

Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, how you meet the essential criteria.
Curriculum Vitae.
List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer). You will be given further notice prior to us contacting references.

NEF welcomes and encourages applications from all genders, backgrounds, religions, cultures, nationalities and abilities.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Pre-employment Checks

Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks before start date:

A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening.
Receipt of satisfactory references.
Workplace Verification Check.

NEF's strength is its people. Our team is our fuel to achieving the innovation, quality programming, community focus, mutual trust, sustainability, and learning needed to realize our mission. To help our team thrive, we support a working structure that prioritizes flexibility, personal commitments, and staff well-being while promoting a work culture of teamwork, collaboration, respect, integrity, and excellence.

As an international organization, we value a truly diverse workforce and prioritize a culture of inclusivity and belonging. We strive to create a high-achieving work environment informed by different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. With a commitment to diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion in all we do, our aim is to ensure that people feel heard, protected, and empowered to contribute to NEF's mission from day one.

Commitment to Safeguarding

As a global organization serving some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, the Near East Foundation takes the safeguarding of its program participants, staff, volunteers, and partners seriously. To that end, the Near East Foundation is a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, and will systematically check with previous employers about any sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment issues relating to potential new hires. We may also employ other robust pre-hire screens, including in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screens.
procedures. The Near East Foundation expects all program participants, staff, volunteers, and partners to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.
By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment.

Location

Raqqa, Syria