Collections Officer

About Pesapal

Pesapal stands as a foremost payment services provider in Africa, specializing in tailored payment and business solutions. Since its inception in 2009, the company has enabled thousands of African entrepreneurs and businesses to accept payments via mobile devices, cards, and bank transfers aided by advanced digital tools for ticketing, reservations, and merchant credit. Our mission is to connect one million African businesses to digital payments and the global financial ecosystem by 2030.

Job Summary

We seek a determined, result-focused Collections Officer to manage delinquent merchant accounts within a designated portfolio. This role requires on-ground engagement with merchants, negotiating repayments, conducting account follow-ups, and providing accurate reporting on the portfolio's status. Collaboration with diverse departments including Credit, Legal, Customer Support, and Sales will be essential to enhance collection effectiveness, reduce Portfolio at Risk (PAR), sustain positive merchant relations, and ensure compliance with internal and regulatory standards. This position is offered on a one-year contract basis, extendable based on performance and organizational requirements, suitable for ambitious candidates who excel in dynamic, target-oriented settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and recover funds from a portfolio of overdue merchant accounts using sanctioned collection strategies aimed at minimizing credit losses and PAR.
• Execute field visits to assess merchant operations, evaluate repayment capacity, negotiate payment terms, and collect dues.
• Engage merchants professionally to establish manageable repayment schedules while preserving positive relationships.
• Prepare and dispatch demand letters and statutory notifications in accordance with operational procedures and regulatory mandates.
• Perform skip tracing to locate merchants and facilitate lawful asset recovery when necessary.
• Keep meticulous records of collection efforts and update loan-management or collection software consistently.
• Recommend accounts for CRB listing or legal proceedings and coordinate actions with internal teams and external recovery agents.
• Monitor and report key portfolio metrics including recovery rates, PAR, days past due (DPD) trends, and cure rates to meet set targets.

Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Commerce, or related disciplines.
• Three to five years' experience in collections, loan recovery, credit control, or customer service is advantageous.
• Familiarity with credit recovery methods and customer engagement techniques.
• Competence with Microsoft Excel, CRM platforms, or similar reporting tools is preferred.
• Valid driving license and readiness for frequent travel to conduct field operations.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent negotiation and communication abilities with strong customer interaction skills.
• Capability to manage sensitive or challenging discussions with professionalism, empathy, and perseverance.
• Goal-oriented by nature, with commitment and ownership over assigned portfolios.
• Attention to detail ensuring accurate documentation and reporting.
• High ethical standards and confidentiality in handling client data.

Why Join Pesapal?

• Engage with innovative financial technology products and services.
• Access continuous professional development, training, and growth prospects.
• Contribute to a transformative mission impacting the African financial landscape.
• Join a dynamic, fast-moving workplace rich with diverse and stimulating challenges.

Equity and Inclusion

Pesapal embraces diversity and fosters an inclusive culture valuing every individual, ensuring equal opportunity for advancement. Diverse viewpoints are key to our creativity and overall success.