Consultant at Alexander Forbes

Introduction

• To consult to the trustees/management committees of funds, assist in the daily managing and logistical control of the funds, to coordinate and facilitate between departments, with the ultimate objective of providing overall assistance and backup to the Senior Consultant.
• To act as the main contact person for the client in the absence of the Senior Consultant, and as the secondary contact if the senior consultant is present, in ensuring that the funds run effectively on a daily basis. 

Duties

• Ensure agendas are drafted, and all annexures are given to Senior Consultant for approval 3 weeks prior to the meeting
• Ensure that agendas for meetings are collated, bound and distributed correctly 1 week before the meeting
• Attend trustee and sub committee meetings, attend management committee and adhoc meetings, take minutes, ensure minutes are typed and given to the Senior Consultant 1 week after meeting, and circulate minutes within 2 weeks of meeting
• Matters arising to be auctioned within one month after meeting
• Distribution of information to trustees, insurance companies and asset managers
• Processing payment of invoices
• Understanding group risk cover and the associated renewal and rebroke exercises to enable meaningful discussion with and recommendations to the client
• Processing section 14’s – collating information, obtaining approval from the Financial Sector  Conduct Authority, transferring members between funds
•  Assisting in drafting annual reports and preparation of financial statements
• Distributing rule amendments
• Obtaining signatures from clients when necessary
• Issuing standard documents, such as quarterlies, surveys, etc timeously to clients
• Dealing with external queries telephonically, by written correspondence or visits, as required or approved by the consultant.
• Taking queries from members
• Liaising with trustees and other internal departments
• Drafting and distribution of fund communication to members
• Communication to pensioners
• Liaising with communications department to ensure drafting/customisation/distribution of documentation
• Act as internal liaison between departments to ensure that funds run smoothly on a daily basis
• Ensure that all relevant departments are aware of management committee and adhoc meetings dates, and that they are kept informed of subsequent changes, ensure that each department is aware of exactly what is required of them for these meetings, and ensure that the requirements are met timeously
• Communicate client instructions, problems or queries raised to all relevant departments, either by telephone, visit, memo or email, ensuring that a record is placed on file and that the matter is satisfactorily dealt with.
•  Develop knowledge of the employee benefits industry and investment matters
• Become acquainted  with relevant legislation i.e. Pension funds Act, Taxation, FAIS Act etc.
•  Keep abreast of changes in employee benefits industry
•  InterDepartment and Consultant Relationships
• Contribution to the team
• Relationship with colleagues
• Team work