Senior Credit Model Developer

Job Description

The Senior Credit Model Developer is responsible for developing, enhancing, validating and embedding credit risk measurement methodologies, models, and analytical tools that accurately measure, monitor, and forecast credit risk across the DBSA portfolio, while supporting risk management, regulatory compliance, capital management, pricing, and strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Risk Model Development and Maintenance

• Lead the design, development, enhancement, and maintenance of internally developed credit risk measurement tools and models for DBSA’s lending portfolios.
• Develop and maintain Probability of Default (PD), Loss Given Default (LGD), Exposure at Default (EAD), expected loss, stress testing, and economic capital models across all DBSA asset classes, including Municipal, Balance Sheet Lending, Project Finance, and Higher Education portfolios.
• Monitor that credit risk models are fit for purpose, technically robust, and aligned with DBSA business requirements, regulatory expectations, and industry best practice.
• Review and enhance existing modelling methodologies, processes, and analytical frameworks to improve efficiency, accuracy, and predictive capability.
• Support the development and maintenance of the SQL risk database and associated data structures required for model development, calibration, validation, and ratings performance monitoring.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive model documentation, methodology papers, validation reports, and governance records.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing, technical capability development, and continuous improvement initiatives within the Credit Lab and broader Risk function.

Model Validation, Governance, and Regulatory Compliance

• Perform back-testing, model performance analysis, sensitivity testing, and validation activities to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of internally developed credit risk models.
• Validate technical rating calculations performed by Credit Analysts and Transaction Teams for new transactions, annual reviews, and Investment Committee submissions.
• Adhere to model governance requirements that are maintained through preparation of model documentation, governance submissions, approval papers, and reporting to the Risk Models Technical Committee.
• Confirm the accuracy of expected loss and impairment calculations developed in conjunction with Loan Management and Finance in accordance with IAS and IFRS 9 requirements.
• Provide technical input into regulatory capital calculations, including Pillar I, Pillar II, stress testing, and economic capital assessments.
• Comply with applicable governance, audit, regulatory, accounting, and risk management requirements relating to credit risk modelling activities.

Credit Risk Analytics and Advisory Support

• Provide technical credit risk analytics and modelling support to Credit, Risk, Finance, Treasury, and Investment teams.
• Support the Pricing Working Group through the provision and validation of credit risk inputs and pricing methodologies for lending transactions.
• Provide loan portfolio risk data, model outputs, and analytical insights for credit portfolio reporting, capital management, and strategic decision-making purposes.
• Consult and engage with external service providers, auditors, regulators, and technical specialists regarding modelling methodologies and model performance.
• Contribute technical expertise to strategic and operational projects requiring advanced credit risk modelling and analytical support.

Governance and Reporting

• Prepare submissions for the Technical Committee relating to model development, validation and maintenance.
• Comply with scheduled model maintenance cycles and governance requirements.
• Demonstrate model performance over time and highlight emerging issues or trends.
• Provide well-reasoned responses to questions and challenges raised by the Committee.
• Produce accurate and insightful analyses and reports that support credit and risk decision-making.
• Maintain reliability and traceability of data used in all reporting.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with management, business units, and key stakeholders to facilitate effective operational support.

People Management

• Lead and develop team members by setting clear objectives, providing constructive feedback, and fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Recognising individual strengths, facilitating professional growth, and aligning team efforts with organisational goals to enhance overall performance and engagement.
• Support capability building and technical skills development within the Credit Lab team.
• Mentor and guide junior team members on credit risk modelling methodologies, validation techniques, governance standards, and technical analysis.

Key Measurements of Outputs

• Timeliness and quality of model development, validation, back-testing, and performance reporting activities.
• Accuracy and compliance of impairment and expected loss calculations in accordance with IAS and IFRS 9 requirements.
• Effectiveness of credit risk measurement tools across all DBSA asset classes and lending portfolios.
• Quality and completeness of model governance documentation, committee submissions, and technical reports.
• Effectiveness of stress testing, economic capital modelling, and regulatory capital calculations.
• Quality and accuracy of technical support provided to Credit, Finance, Treasury, Pricing, and Investment teams.
• Accuracy, robustness, and predictive performance of credit risk models, including PD, LGD, EAD, expected loss, and capital models.
• Delivery against agreed credit model development and maintenance timelines.
• User adoption and satisfaction with credit systems and tools.
• Successful validation of credit risk data, ratings and metrics.
• Compliance with internal model governance standards and audit requirements.

Expertise & Technical Competencies

Minimum Qualification

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Informatics, Mathematics, Risk Management, Accounting, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Finance or a related field.

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in Credit risk model development, statistical modelling and validation in a credit risk management environment.
• Proven experience developing, validating, and maintaining credit risk models, including PD, LGD, EAD, expected loss, and stress testing models.
• Experience in credit management in the banking and/or financial services sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in PD, LGD and EAD model development.
• Solid experience in Basel compliance and IRB approach model development.
• In-depth knowledge of Project Finance simulation modelling as well as scorecard models.
• Solid understanding of IFRS 9 standards and regulatory risk modelling.
• Detailed knowledge of Capital management. Experience in calculating Pillar I and Pillar II credit risk capital, stress testing scenarios and Economic Capital calculations.
• Practical knowledge of Credit Risk Management.
• Solid experience in Microsoft Office (MS-Word, MS Excel (at an expert level of proficiency), MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook).
• Advanced data manipulation and management skills. Demonstrated experience in SAS and/or SQL for model development and data manipulation.
• Solid experience in Stakeholder Management.

Desirable Requirements

• A Postgraduate Degree in Informatics, Mathematics, Risk Management, Accounting, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Finance or a related field.
• Knowledge of financial structuring and doing business in the Rest of Africa.
• Experience in working with SOEs, DFIs and public finance institutions.
• Experience in risk-based pricing models.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Data Collection and Analysis

• Skilled in the use of advanced/complex analytical techniques.
• Ability to use judgement to decide upon the most appropriate analytical techniques accor