Branch Manager Trainee (BMT) at BRAC

Job Purpose

• The Branch Manager Trainee (BMT) is a structured development role within the field operations of BRAC Kenya Company Limited (BKCL), designed to prepare high-potential candidates to become future Branch Managers (BMs). Over a six-month traineeship, the BMT will shadow and support the Area Manager (AM) in learning and progressively taking responsibility for branch operations, including loan portfolio management, client engagement, staff coordination, financial administration, compliance, and risk management.
• During the traineeship, the BMT will work closely with Client Relationship Officers (CROs) to understand field-level operations, support execution of branch targets, monitor portfolio performance, accompany field activities, and assist with follow-up on documentation, collections, client onboarding, and group/client engagement. The BMT may provide day-to-day guidance and operational support to CROs as delegated by the AM; however, formal line management, performance appraisal, disciplinary decisions, and final operational approvals will remain with the AM or designated supervisor until the BMT is confirmed as BM.
• The BMT will progressively build the operational knowledge, leadership capability, client-centred approach, and institutional familiarity required to independently lead a branch. Confirmation as BM at the end of the traineeship will be subject to satisfactory performance assessment and demonstrated readiness to manage branch operations and supervise branch staff.

Key Responsibilities:

Branch Operations

• Learn and support the day-to-day management of branch activities, including client onboarding, loan disbursement, collections, group meetings, client follow-up, and branch administration, to build a strong understanding of end-to-end branch operations.
• Support the AM in translating branch-level targets into actionable plans for CROs, including disbursement, collection, client outreach, and portfolio quality targets.
• Monitor the execution of CRO workplans, field activities, and target achievement as delegated by the AM, and assist in identifying performance gaps, operational bottlenecks, and areas requiring follow-up.
• Assist in reviewing loan application documents and supporting information for prospective clients prior to recommendation and approval, developing credit assessment and documentation review skills under guidance.
• Observe and participate in branch staff meetings, contributing to discussions on operational issues, policy changes, field challenges, portfolio performance, and branch priorities.
• Learn and apply BKCL’s lending policies, client protection standards, operational procedures, and internal control requirements across branch activities.
• Support the maintenance of branch files, registers, reports, and records, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely updating.

Client Engagement and Portfolio Management

• Accompany CROs on field visits, group meetings, client verification exercises, and client follow-up activities to develop practical understanding of BKCL’s client base, community dynamics, and field-level operations.
• Support monitoring of loan collections, repayment trends, missed payments, and portfolio quality indicators, and assist in identifying accounts requiring early follow-up.
• Learn delinquency management protocols by supporting CROs and the AM in client follow-up, repayment counselling, and escalation of overdue cases in line with BKCL procedures.
• Participate in Pre-Disbursement Orientations (PDOs) for newly onboarded clients, developing the ability to explain loan terms, repayment obligations, client rights, and responsibilities clearly and simply.
• Observe and support the handling of client complaints, ensuring that complaints are documented, escalated appropriately, and resolved within approved timelines.
• Engage directly with clients under AM supervision to develop client relationship management skills and reinforce BKCL’s client-centred approach.

Team Coordination, Supervision and HR Support

• Shadow the AM in coordinating and supervising CROs and other branch staff, observing how daily work is planned, performance is monitored, feedback is delivered, and operational issues are addressed.
• Provide day-to-day operational guidance and follow-up support to CROs as delegated by the AM, including follow-up on field plans, client visits, documentation quality, collection performance, and portfolio monitoring.
• Support the AM in reviewing CRO performance against agreed targets and workplans, while recognising that formal line management, appraisal, disciplinary action, and final performance decisions remain with the AM during the traineeship period.
• Assist in identifying CRO capacity gaps and support coaching, feedback, and on-the-job learning under the guidance of the AM.
• Support branch-level onboarding and orientation of new staff, including familiarisation with branch operations, policies, systems, client protection standards, and field procedures.
• Progressively take on broader coordination and supervisory responsibilities for CROs and branch staff as assessed and delegated by the AM during the training period.

Financial Administration and Reporting

• Learn and support the preparation of daily, weekly, monthly, and annual branch reports, including reports on disbursement, collections, portfolio quality, outreach, client onboarding, and operational performance.
• Develop the ability to analyse collection sheets, portfolio data, and branch performance reports to identify trends, risks, and areas requiring management attention.
• Observe and support the projection of weekly cash flow requirements and coordination with the accounts team for branch-level withdrawals, deposits, and financial transactions.
• Support verification of cash ledgers, disbursement reports, collection reports, and other financial records to develop competency in branch-level financial controls.
• Assist in monitoring branch costs, identifying discrepancies or unallocated expenditures, and escalating concerns to the AM or relevant support function.

Compliance, Audit, and Risk

• Develop familiarity with BKCL’s compliance requirements, internal controls, audit processes, and risk management procedures by supporting the AM during branch monitoring, reviews, and audit activities.
• Support the AM in ensuring that CROs and branch staff follow approved credit processes, documentation requirements, client protection standards, and operational procedures.
• Identify and escalate suspected fraud, misrepresentation, policy breaches, process non-compliance, or control weaknesses immediately to the AM.
• Support timely closure of audit, compliance, or monitoring findings relating to branch operations, documentation, client engagement, or portfolio management.
• Adhere to BKCL’s policies, procedures, Code of Conduct, Client Protection Standards, and risk management requirements across all activities.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Read, understand, and comply with BKCL’s safeguarding policy and procedures at all times.
• Promote awareness of safeguarding standards within the branch and ensure safeguarding principles are applied in day-to-day client and staff interactions.
• Conduct all financial, client, and community interactions in a manner that upholds dignity, respect, inclusion, and protection of vulnerable individuals.
• Immediately report any safeguarding concerns or reportable incidents in accordance with BKCL’s established safeguarding reporting procedures.
• Encourage colleagues and branch staff to adhere to safeguarding standards and reporting requirements.

Educational & Experience Requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Banking, Economics, Development Studies, Commerce, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in microfinance, banking, financial services, or field operations.
• Experience with a financial services company will be an added advantage.

Required Competencies:

• Good understanding of microfinance operations, credit principles, client onboarding, loan appraisal, collections, and portfolio management.
• Working knowledge of branch operations, field-level client engagement, group methodology, and basic financial administration.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients, CROs, branch staff, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership potential, with the ability to guide, support, motivate, and coordinate others within delegated authority.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret portfolio data, identify operational gaps, and recommend practical follow-up actions.
• Ability to monitor performance against targets, follow up on agreed actions, and support execution through CROs and other branch staff.
• Good judgement and escalation discipline, including the ability to recognise issues requiring AM guidance or approval.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, accountability, and commitment to BKCL’s mission, values, client protection, and safeguarding standards.