Investment (Credit) Analyst

Location: Johannesburg
Employment Type: Permanent
Working Arrangement: Full-time, office-based
Travel: Required

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a commercially minded Investment (Credit) Analyst to join a specialist investment business focused on trade, working capital and structured finance across African markets.

This is a mid-level role suited to a strong corporate or SME credit professional who enjoys combining detailed financial analysis with commercial judgement, transaction structuring and ongoing portfolio management.

The successful candidate will take ownership of credit risk across a portfolio of borrowers, from initial transaction assessment and Investment Committee approval through to disbursement, ongoing monitoring and final repayment.

The role offers exposure to cross-border transactions, African markets, structured trade finance, portfolio risk management and senior investment decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Investment & Credit Analysis

Conduct detailed independent credit assessments of new and existing borrowers.

Analyse company financial statements, management accounts, cash flows, balance sheets and operating performance.

Review, interrogate and stress-test financial models and underlying assumptions.

Assess borrower repayment capacity, financial strength and overall creditworthiness.

Apply internal rating models and prepare detailed analysis and commentary supporting credit recommendations.

Evaluate transaction structures, security packages, collateral and other credit risk mitigants.

Conduct client visits as part of new transaction assessments and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Prepare clear and comprehensive credit recommendations for presentation to Investment Committee.

Challenge assumptions and recommendations presented by deal originators where appropriate.

Provide input into transaction structuring prior to formal Investment Committee submission.

Credit Applications & Deal Execution

Take primary responsibility for preparing credit applications, supported by input from transaction originators.

Manage transactions through the full credit approval process from origination through to closing.

Ensure all credit conditions and approvals are appropriately incorporated into transaction documentation.

Work with relevant stakeholders to ensure transactions are legally and commercially structured in line with approved credit parameters.

Monitor satisfaction of conditions precedent prior to transaction close and disbursement.

Coordinate specialist input where required, including commodity, collateral or industry expertise.

Approve or escalate margin calls and other credit-related matters in line with internal mandates.

Present transactions, recommendations and portfolio matters to relevant committees.

Portfolio & Risk Management

Take ownership of credit risk across an allocated portfolio of clients.

Monitor borrower performance throughout the life of each transaction.

Conduct annual credit reviews and more frequent reviews for higher-risk exposures.

Prepare quarterly portfolio reviews highlighting key risks, developments and required actions.

Monitor financial performance, repayment behaviour and covenant compliance.

Track borrower credit exposures and ensure risk remains within approved parameters.

Evaluate and monitor collateral values, loan-to-value ratios and other credit enhancements.

Conduct regular stress testing at borrower and portfolio level.

Monitor Expected Credit Loss assumptions where applicable.

Identify deteriorating exposures early and recommend appropriate risk mitigation measures.

Escalate high-risk exposures for proactive risk management where necessary.

Support the maintenance of acceptable non-performing loan levels across the portfolio.

Country & Market Risk Analysis

Monitor economic, political and market developments across African countries in which borrowers operate.

Assess how country-level developments may impact individual borrowers or the broader portfolio.

Monitor key events including political developments, elections, currency risks, regulatory changes and economic growth.

Leverage external credit ratings and market research to support country risk assessments.

Prepare concise country risk reports outlining key developments, portfolio exposures and areas of concern.

Monitor aggregate credit exposure by country.

Conduct country-level stress testing across borrower portfolios.

Present country risk observations and recommendations to internal committees.

Financial Analysis & Modelling

Analyse and interpret financial statements and complex financial models.

Understand and assess accounting treatment, tax considerations, legal structures, industry dynamics and regulatory requirements.

Interrogate forecasts and assumptions used to support financing requests.

Assess liquidity, leverage, cash flow generation, working capital cycles and debt service capacity.

Identify key financial and operational risks that could impact borrower performance.

Use quantitative and qualitative information to identify trends and emerging portfolio risks.

Reporting & Governance

Prepare high-quality technical and non-technical reports relating to clients, transactions and portfolio performance.

Provide accurate and detailed written recommendations to investment and credit stakeholders.

Support the review and improvement of internal credit policies, procedures and risk frameworks.

Ensure adherence to internal governance, credit policy and compliance requirements.

Maintain complete and accurate records relating to credit decisions, approvals and portfolio monitoring.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must hold one of the following:

CA(SA)

or

CFA qualification

Required Experience

Minimum 2 years' experience in credit analysis, ideally within corporate, SME, wholesale, investment or business banking.

At least 2 years' experience within wholesale banking, corporate banking, business banking, investment banking or a similar lending environment.

Demonstrable experience in:

Corporate or SME credit analysis

Trade Finance

Structured Trade Finance

Working Capital Finance

Supply Chain Finance

Portfolio and credit risk management

Financial statement analysis

Financial modelling

Credit applications and credit papers

Credit or Investment Committee processes

Experience working across African markets is highly advantageous.

Experience managing credit exposures following transaction approval and disbursement will be particularly valuable.

Technical Knowledge

Strong understanding of credit risk and lending principles.

Ability to analyse and interpret company financial statements.

Strong understanding of financial models and forecasting assumptions.

Knowledge of transaction structuring, collateral, covenants and security.

Understanding of accounting practices and financial reporting.

Working knowledge of legal, regulatory and tax considerations affecting lending transactions.

Understanding of portfolio monitoring and early-warning indicators.

Experience conducting stress testing and downside analysis.

Knowledge of country risk, sovereign risk and macroeconomic considerations within African markets.

Understanding of Expected Credit Loss principles would be advantageous.

Key Skills

Excellent analytical and critical-thinking ability.

Strong financial analysis and modelling skills.

Ability to prepare detailed credit applications independently.

Strong commercial judgement.

Confident written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to present recommendations to senior stakeholders and committees.

Strong negotiation and influencing skills.

High level of attention to detail.

Strong planning and organisational ability.

Ability to manage multiple transactions and deadlines simultaneously.

Strong relationship-management skills.

Ability to challenge assumptions constructively.

Strong understanding of compliance and governance requirements.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.