Remote Senior Credit Risk & Scoring Consultant (Contract) | R1700 per hour

This is a remote position.

About the Opportunity

A fast-growing lending business focused on building a sustainable and scalable loan portfolio is seeking a highly experienced Credit Risk & Scoring Consultant to strengthen and redesign its end-to-end credit risk capability.

The business is currently experiencing elevated default rates driven primarily by weak willingness-to-pay assessments and inaccurate debit check and affordability assessment data. The successful consultant will play a critical role in improving portfolio performance, collections effectiveness, and long-term lending sustainability.

Role Overview

We are looking for a seasoned Credit Risk & Scoring Consultant with deep experience in unsecured lending, loan book management, collections strategy, affordability assessment, and credit scorecard development.

The consultant will work closely with executive leadership to:

• Design and implement robust credit scoring methodologies
  

• Improve client onboarding and affordability assessment accuracy
  

• Build and optimize risk management processes and procedures
  

• Reduce default rates and improve collections performance
  

• Establish scalable credit governance frameworks
  

• Support the setup and structuring of a high-performing credit risk team
  

• Help build a sustainable and profitable loan book
  

This is a strategic and hands-on engagement requiring someone who has successfully built or transformed lending operations in high-growth environments.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Scoring & Risk Analytics

• Develop and implement custom credit scorecards
  

• Improve willingness-to-pay and affordability assessment models
  

• Review and optimize debit check and income verification processes
  

• Build segmentation strategies for different customer risk profiles
  

• Create risk-based pricing and approval frameworks
  

• Establish portfolio monitoring and early warning systems
  

Credit Risk Management

• Design end-to-end credit risk management frameworks
  

• Establish lending policies, procedures, and governance controls
  

• Create operational risk and collections management processes
  

• Define credit approval authorities and escalation procedures
  

• Implement portfolio performance reporting and KPI dashboards
  

• Improve arrears management and collections strategies
  

Loan Book & Portfolio Strategy

• Assist in building a healthy, scalable loan book
  

• Improve portfolio profitability and risk-adjusted returns
  

• Optimize underwriting and collections strategies
  

• Support portfolio growth while managing default risk
  

• Advise on provisioning, write-off, and recovery strategies
  

Team & Capability Building

• Assist in structuring and building a high-performing credit risk team
  

• Define roles, responsibilities, and operating models
  

• Mentor internal staff and leadership teams
  

• Introduce best practices in credit operations and risk management
  

• Support recruitment and capability development where necessary
  

Requirements

Essential Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in credit risk, lending, banking, fintech, or microfinance
  

• Proven track record building or improving credit scoring systems
  

• Strong experience in unsecured lending and consumer finance
  

• Deep understanding of affordability assessments and collections strategies
  

• Experience managing or advising on loan books at scale
  

• Demonstrated success reducing default rates and improving portfolio performance
  

• Experience establishing credit policies, governance, and operational frameworks
  

• Strong analytical and strategic problem-solving capabilities
  

Preferred Experience

• Experience in emerging markets or African lending environments
  

• Background in fintech or digital lending businesses
  

• Experience with scorecard modeling and alternative data
  

• Familiarity with collections optimization and behavioral scoring
  

• Experience setting up or scaling credit risk teams
  

Expected Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to:

• Assess current lending and risk management operations
  

• Identify key causes of portfolio underperformance
  

• Deliver a practical roadmap to improve credit performance
  

• Implement improved credit scoring and underwriting frameworks
  

• Establish risk management processes and governance structures
  

• Improve collections and repayment performance
  

• Support operational execution and capability transfer to internal teams
  

Engagement Details

• Engagement Type: Contract / Consulting
  

• Location: Remote with periodic engagement sessions
  

• Industry: Lending / Fintech / Consumer Finance
  

• Start Date: As soon as possible
  

• Duration: To be discussed based on scope and deliverables
  

Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a highly practical operator who combines strategic credit risk expertise with hands-on implementation experience. The ideal candidate has successfully built or transformed lending businesses, understands the realities of consumer lending risk, and can help establish a scalable and sustainable lending operation.

How to Apply

Please share:

• Updated CV / professional profile
  

• Relevant consulting or project experience
  

• Examples of similar credit risk or lending transformation work
  

• Availability and expected consulting rates
  

• References or case studies where available
  

We are looking for a consultant who can make an immediate impact on portfolio quality, collections performance, and overall credit risk capability.