The opportunity.

Reporting to the Lending Operations Manager – Assessment this position directly supports our purpose and ensures our members can count on us by approving credit applications which meet the requirements and objectives of our members. The Senior Assessment Officer is a senior role with the responsibility for ensuring applications approved meet regulatory compliance obligations; maintain the prudential integrity of Defence Bank’s loans portfolio and minimise loans losses incurred by the Bank.

This position is accountable for: 

Loan Application Assessment

• Evaluate and decision lending applications in accordance with the bank’s credit policies and risk appetite. 
• Ensure all credit decisions align with regulatory requirements and internal risk frameworks.
• Delivering application decisions within service level agreements to the Mobile Lenders and Branch Distribution network.
• Proactively managing performance to ensure team and individual KPIs are consistently achieved.
• Provide coaching and guidance to frontline lending staff to enhance their credit assessment capabilities.

Lending Policy and Procedures 

• Recommend lending policy and procedure updates to remain contemporary with industry best practice and accommodate an evolving regulatory environment.
• Identify opportunities to streamline credit assessment processes and improve efficiency.

Provide Process Improvement Feedback

• Work closely with internal teams, including risk management, compliance, sales distribution and lending operations, to ensure a seamless credit assessment process.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the bank’s credit risk framework.

Reporting and Insights 

• Maintain accurate records of credit decisions and contribute to reporting requirements.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting, providing data and insights on application quality, error trends, and opportunities for process or capability improvements.
• Contribute to the Credit Risk strategy ensuring credit policy represents risk appetite of the Bank, Regulatory requirements and community expectations

Business Improvement

• Undertake additional duties and responsibilities as directed by leadership, aligned with the evolving needs of the team and Defence Bank.

Risk management.

• Act in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and Defence Bank policies.
• Undertake prudent risk management in processes and policies, in line with risk management framework and Defence Bank’s risk appetite.
• Escalate incidents identified outside Defence Bank’s operational risk appetite and monitor any corresponding actions to completion.
• Implement and monitor controls to minimise hazards and risks.
• Ensure reasonable steps are taken in conducting the position responsibilities to prevent matters from arising that would (or would likely to) results in a material contravention of the law or adversely affect the prudential standing or prudential reputation of Defence Bank Limited.

Strategy.

• Support the delivery of Bank wide strategic initiatives through role related expertise and change advocacy. 

Data Management 

• Prioritise best practice data management, through establishing high quality procedures, maintaining process documentation and ensuring compliance within the function.
• Conduct regular reporting to ensure data quality is maintained.

Continuous Improvement.

• Prioritise the continuous improvement of processes and procedures through automation. 
• Review and establish role operating rhythm to ensure processes are always delivering the best service to our members and our employees 

Financial Management

• Efficiently manage role related expenses in line with financial authority limits and internal policies, seeking appropriate sign-off where required. 

Leadership.

• Lead self with a curiosity to learn, developing skills and knowledge that support role success and future internal opportunities. 
• Champion a collaborative work style across the organisation and together with their peers, encourage cross functional work where possible for shared outcomes.
• Contribute to the maintenance of a constructive culture and display the styles of achievement, self-actualising, humanistic, encouraging, and affiliative behaviours.
• Build and sustain relationships with stakeholders and customers that deliver significant benefits for Defence Bank.
• Take accountability for individual performance by working effectively and efficiently, sustaining engagement and delivering outcomes in line with personal KPIs. 

Culture 

• Contribute to the maintenance of a psychologically safe environment for our community to innovate in by encouraging creative thinking and ownership. 
• Respect the values of the community, appreciating the diverse skills and backgrounds of our employees.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships across the bank.
• Modelling our principles; Accountability, Communication and Transparency and keeping Member first. 
• Driving a culture of learning and innovation.