Senior Associate, Data Analytics

About Accion:

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the 1.6 billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build 285 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 77 countries, reaching 478 million people. More at 

About Accion Advisory:

The Accion Advisory team combines decades of on-the-ground experience with insights into new technologies to help our partners become more sustainable and scalable. We work with a variety of organizations focused on serving the financial needs of low-income people and businesses in emerging markets. With a presence in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, our team provides strategic and operational support to strengthen our partners and maximize their impact on underserved customers.

Our team is comprised of Regional Program Managers (RPMs) and their teams who are responsible for driving new business, bringing local context and hands on experience to meet customer needs; and Practice Area Leads who are technical area experts responsible for building the Advisory team's expertise in core areas, driving execution excellence, and capturing synergies across technical practice areas and regions. The Practice Area Leads seek to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the execution of our engagements and to develop reusable tools and collateral for specific areas of expertise that Accion Advisory brings to all of our clients.

Position Summary:

The Senior Associate, Data Analytics & Risk Management will apply advanced analytics and statistical methods to strengthen three core areas that enable sustainable growth for our clients: risk analysis (stability), portfolio analytics (insight), and growth strategies (quality). In this position, you will help financial service providers develop strategies to improve efficiency, profitability, and customer reach.

As a key member of a global, cross‑functional team—and working closely with an experienced Advanced Analytics & Risk Director— the person in this role will represent Accion as a trusted advisor and contribute to a wide range of advisory engagements. You will also play an important role in advancing our analytics service offering, particularly through the integration of machine learning and the application of unbiased AI techniques to enhance the quality and impact of our advisory solutions.

The person in this position will be based in Bogota, Colombia (hybrid model).

Please submit your resume in English.

Position Responsibilities: 

For the FSPs with whom we establish TA agreements, the position will provide the following support:

• In collaboration with the Director, Advanced Analytics and Risk, lead the development and control of statistical transactional analytic models, integrating applicable Machine learning algorithms and relevant AI techniques.
  • Coordinate with the Data engineers and Data scientists on all the data requirements for ML algorithm deployment, statistical analysis, and tool development.
  • Support the process of managing, developing, and implementing statistical models to support credit, collection, account maintenance, and recovery processes.
  • Support the process of managing, developing, and implementing statistical models to identify behavioral patterns to guide propensity models for product usage and adoption, including supporting client segmentation initiatives.
  • Guide to continuously validate the prediction capabilities of the statistical models developed and implemented.
  • Validate, through statistical tools, the consistency of the information required for constructing the statistical and expert models required.
• Support the preparation and documentation of the specific ML developments and follow-up of related results.
  • Develop and present training material to facilitate the implementation of the risk-based segmentation tools in the partner FSPs.   
  • Contribute to the development of monitoring and maintenance tools for the risk-based segmentation tools implemented.
• Build capacity and assisting FSPs in implementing Accion's Portfolio Risk Management tools, which are designed to help in:
  • Monitoring and evaluating performance indicators of the asset and liability portfolios and identifying trends for business growth, product acceptance, product cycle stage, and risk levels
  • Monitoring and evaluating staff productivity levels
  • Ensuring that overall business plan objectives are met and advising management on performance through timely reporting
  • Producing portfolio quality analysis reports (Net flow/trend analysis, vintage analysis, early payment defaults, and was/is analysis)
  • Evaluating the credit process flow to identify opportunities for improvement and recommendations for corrective strategies and tools
• Participate in conducting ongoing reviews and analyses of credit portfolios to determine delinquency patterns and recommend appropriate actions.
• Support the documentation of the processes related to the implementation of risk analysis tools.
• Collaborate in the development of policy and process guidelines for new products or commercial initiatives.

Additional functions:

• Support strategic business development efforts, including participating in the creation of project proposals to clients and/or donors.
• Participate with other members of the Accion Advisory and Investments teams in the evaluation of potential investment and/or technical assistance partners.
• Effectively represent and communicate the value of the team's Data Analytics & Risk Management service offering and how it can be integrated into the support and advisory provided to client FSPs.
• Contribute to the overall strategy and operations of Accion Advisory by providing insights on trends, areas for growth, and market positioning in Data Analytics & Risk Management.
• Buildi Accion's capacity by documenting and sharing project results and disseminating valuable information and tools through various knowledge exchange mediums such as brown bags, team meetings/debriefs, workshops, blogging, webinars, etc.

Position Qualifications

• BS/BA in Economics, Industrial Engineering, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, or Business. Master's degree, preferred.
• 5 to 7 years of experience in Individual lending or retail operations in a regulated financial institution and/or implementing credit scores/credit models with financial institutions.
• Background in financial analysis with statistics or programming is ideal.
• Statistical and financial skills, Credit Risk Modeling/Analysis, Data Mining, and Financial knowledge.
• Knowledge of analytical tools like Power BI/Tableau/advanced Excel.
• Knowledge of Portfolio Risk / Management within the financial business. A clear understanding of portfolio risks related to vintage and delinquency trends.
• Knowledge of market and operational risks.
• Cost management and project management skills.
• Knowledge of standard reports required for Credit Business Management and experience ensuring data integrity and timely delivery.
• Must be adaptable, innovative, and possess good analytical skills and sound judgment; customer-service oriented; strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• English language skills, oral and written required.

Travel Requirements

40% of work requires travel to client sites.

Accion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Accion seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, or any other basis protected by law. Accion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.