African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) Vacancies

Since writing its first policy in 2003, ATI has supported US$ 3.6 billion in trade and investments across Africa and expanded its membership from the original 7 countries to 19 countries as well as a number of corporate shareholders. ATI was awarded a stable long term ‘A’ rating by Standard & Poor’s in 2008, which was again re-affirmed in 2010.

ATI has now firmly established itself as Africa’s primary trade and investment insurer.

The African Trade Insurance Agency seeks to recruit a Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) who will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) but will also be required to make regular activity reports to the Board of Directors.

Detailed Job description and duties

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Executive Officer of the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI), you will perform the following functions and duties:

As the Leader of the Underwriting Team, you will coordinate, manage and oversee the day to day underwriting operations of ATI in compliance with the Operations Manual and all other governing rules and procedures of ATI and in the process ensure that all underwriting and risk management procedures are in accordance with best market practices.

This will include:

* the assessment of insurance applications to determine their eligibility;
* prompt issuance of non binding indications on eligible insurance applications;
* the drafting of Insurance Offer Letters;
* the drafting of Insurance Policies;
* advising the Chief Executive Officer on the issuance of insurance policies;
* effectively liaising with insurance partners, such as the Producing/Placing Broker, treaty reinsurers, facultative reinsurers, etc., on each placement and the prospective insured on insurance applications;

To coordinate and oversee the administration and monitoring of existing insurance policies, and ensure regular communications with insurance partners are maintained under each placement and the policy holders, on matters relating to premium payments, policy expiry dates or renewals, policy conditions, due dates of insured payments and other key contractual dates, plus any material change to the underlying insured interest and potential or actual claims;

To coordinate in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer claims determination and payment as well as claims avoidance;

To liaise with Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Investor relations Manager as well as the Marketing and Communication staff in implementing the Agency's marketing and Business Development plans;

To develop, have approved and successfully execute the annual business plan and budget, as well as rolling 3-year medium term business strategies/plans for the expansion and profitability of the ATI business;

To create and develop a credit information database in ATI's Member States;

To gather and analyze feedback from the market and take this feedback into consideration to ensure that ATI's insurance products/services are continuously enhanced from a coverage and pricing standpoint and are responsive to market demands;

Enhance and provide regular, timely and appropriate reporting to management, directors and members on the business operations of the Agency;

To lead the maintenance and evolution of the Agency's Operations Manual and, together with the Chief Financial Officer ensure that all policies and procedures such as risk limits, the financial strength requirements of reinsurers, etc., are kept relevant and up to date;

Contribute through the Management Committee to the overall strategic management of the Agency;

To work closely with the Chief Financial Officer to implement a robust computerized/online underwriting system, and a programme of Enterprise Risk Management;

To effectively nurture the Underwriting Team through training and appropriate leadership;

Effectively manage the business of the Agency within a multi-cultural environment and coach, mentor and build teams in an enabling work environment to achieve common objectives;

Ensure proper staffing of the Underwriting department and put into place an appropriate succession plan;

To be responsible for administrative functions with the underwriting department including; performance evaluation and management, recruitment of new underwriting staff, and identification of proper training programmes;

To manage the Agency's newly created field underwriting offices, and recommend the creation of any new filed offices, or regional offices as may be required by the expansion of the Agency's operations throughout Africa;

To actively expand the Agency's client base and manage client relations;

In partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and other members of management, work closely with the representatives of the World Bank, the Board of Directors, representatives of the Member States, etc., providing timely ad hoc reports as may be required from time to time;

To undertake economic and business research on areas relevant to the Agency's business; and

To perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer from time to time.

Qualifications and Experience

The preferred candidate must have the following qualifications and experience:

* At least 7 years experience in senior management position
* Graduate in insurance, banking, economy, project or trade finance or equivalent experience in political or credit risk insurance in similar business related field. A post graduate qualification will be an added advantage.
* Risk and Claims Management experience
* Outstanding analytical skills
* Thorough understanding of underwriting, claims administration, insurance policies/contracts and general insurance concepts
* Excellent computer and data base management skills
* Previous experience in management position
* Ability to travel internationally and work in a multi-cultural environment
* Ability to work in a performance driven environment

Salary range: Competitive remuneration, tax free (Other benefits apply).The salary is negotiable depending upon professional qualifications, family situation, responsibilities of the position and the experience of the candidate.

ATI reserves the right not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or salary, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

How to Apply:

1. Submit an application letter, curriculum vitae, details of your current remuneration package and three references to recruitment@ati-aca.org

2. Candidates must fill out ATI's Personal History Form. Click here

3. The closing date for application is 24th June 2011 at midnight Nairobi time

4. Only candidates meeting the minimum requirements included in the detailed Job-descriptions and submitting applications in compliance with points 1-3 above will be considered for these positions, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.