Position Title:                     Lending Officer

Location:                               Remote

Application Deadline:   June 30, 2023

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director of Lending, the Lending Officer will be responsible for lending activities at NDN Fund.  Specifically, the Lending Officer will work with the Director of Lending and the NDN Fund Managing Director on business development and origination, lending, risk management and policy and power building.

WHO WE ARE

NDN Collective is the most ambitious, systemic effort to empower Indigenous Peoples in the history of philanthropy. We are creating a paradigm change in how society invests in Indigenous Peoples by dramatically scaling up investment and shifting decision-making power. We are doing four key things to create a new ecosystem that supports Indigenous self-determination:

1. We are dramatically increasing philanthropic investment into Indigenous-led organizations, with the goal of giving out $50M per year in grants.
2. We are creating an Indigenous-led CDFI to move $100M of for-profit investment into projects led by and serving Indigenous communities.
3. We are building capacity in Indigenous communities to be able to absorb this new influx of capital.
4. We are advocating for Indigenous rights and policy changes that will enable our peoples and communities to thrive.

What Sets Us Apart

• We represent the people we serve—we are Indigenous-led and support Indigenous people and organizations
• We think in systems and recognize the interconnectedness of all living things
• We are changemakers that have and model a mindset of abundance
• We believe in the power of Indigenous self-determination to create a just, equitable world for all people and the planet
• We integrate culture and ceremony into our work
• We acknowledge and pay respects to our elders and past while taking ownership and control of our future

THE POSITION

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Business Development and Origination

• Screen potential loan applicants for eligibility
• Conduct high-level financial analysis of applicant businesses/projects to determine likelihood of approval, and appropriate loan structure
• Provide loan readiness and credit management power building services to prospective borrowers, and refer to internal/external service providers as needed
• Support Director of Lending in managing loan pipeline to ensure timely response to prospective borrowers, and appropriate pipeline composition

Lending

• Contribute to NDN Fund’s loan production goals
• Manage lending relationships with borrowers
• Monitor portfolio for quality and performance, including support to the Portfolio Manager to manage delinquencies and collections, compliance with loan covenants, adjusting risk ratings quarterly, and restructures
• In partnership with the Director of Lending, underwrite and make loan recommendations
•  Analyze financial information to assess business/project viability, repayment capacity, credit quality and document risk factors and mitigations
• Conduct research to obtain information necessary to complete underwriting
•  Prepare written analyses
•  Present loan requests to NDN Fund’s Loan Committee
• Work with Director of Lending to prepare closing documents, schedule and conduct closings

Risk Management and Policy

• Partner with and support Director of Lending to achieve program goals around loan performance and risk management
• Develop deep knowledge of NDN Fund’s lending policies and procedures

Power Building/Other

• Support achievement of power building goals as time allows, including projects in evaluation, investor relations and reporting, fundraising, communications, loan operations, or other areas
• Participate in professional development opportunities to grow knowledge and skills to carry out position responsibilities and support NDN Fund’s mission. 
• Other duties as needed.

WHO YOU ARE

Education and Experience

Requirements

• An undergraduate degree in business administration, finance, community development or other relevant field is required. For this position, NDN Fund may also consider the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• A minimum of two years relevant lending experience at a CDFI, community bank or other financial institution
• Experience in and knowledge of Indigenous resilience and regenerative finance, with a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges Indigenous Peoples and communities face
• Possess flexibility, creativity, patience, and a desire to have a positive impact in the world

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong financial analysis skills, experience exercising judgment, willingness to make difficult decisions
• Working knowledge (or ability to obtain working knowledge) of government guarantee programs such as the US Department of the Treasury CDFI Fund, Small Business Administration and others
• Fluency with Microsoft Office, DropBox, Google Suite, LenderFit, Downhome Solutions and Salesforce
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, well-disciplined, able to manage multiple and competing deadlines with calmness and courtesy
• Demonstrated self-starter that can work independently, take initiative, and prioritize time wisely
• Highly effective communicator and adept at building relationships
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to clients and on the phone and via email

Personal Characteristics

• ACTIVATOR: You are a self-reliant person and are strong at making things happen by turning thoughts into action. 
• LEARNER: You have strong learning agility and are able to rapidly understand and analyze new situations. 
• COMMUNICATOR: You are a strong communicator who can create high-quality materials and deliver compelling messages and presentations. 
• ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT: You are ambitious and creative and enjoy the process of building something from the ground up. 
• SOCIALLY & EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT: You are able to work efficiently and respectfully with others. You understand how individuals, groups, and societies work and you build rapport through being trustworthy and empathetic. 
• DETAIL ORIENTED: You strive for perfection and are able to move from the high level of a project to its smallest details. 
• FLEXIBLE: You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are flexible when it is necessary. You are willing to travel when needed and excel in a remote worksite.

This position is salaried, commensurate with experience, ranging from $70,000 to $90,000. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as 401(k) retirement plan, a wellness program, personal leave and professional development.

HOW TO APPLY

Send an email to jobs@ndncollective.org with the subject line “INSERT JOB TITLE- [YOUR NAME].” In the email, please include:

As a single PDF attachment, include:

• Your resume
• 1-page cover letter explaining your interest in the organization and position
• Short answers to the following questions:
  • How does your indigeneity inform your current work and your interest in the position?
  • What is your philosophy regarding indigenized/decolonized lending?
  • What would you be most nervous about going into this role if you were offered and accepted the position?
  • NDN Collective conducts background checks, is there anything you want to share with us about your background?
  • What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

• In the body of the email, please copy and paste the content of your short answers and include your name, phone number, and email address.

As attention to detail is critical for success in this role, only applicants who follow these specific application guidelines will be considered.

Note: Please apply to one position only. 

NDN Collective is committed to equal opportunity for all persons without regard to sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination.  It is NDN Collective’s policy to comply with all federal, state, tribal and local laws and regulations regarding equal opportunity. In keeping with that policy, NDN Collective is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free of unlawful discrimination and harassment and will not tolerate unlawful discrimination against or harassment of any of our employees or others present at our facilities by anyone, including any NDN Collective supervisor, co-worker, vendor or client.