Risk Surveyor at Santam Insurance

What will you do?
This career opportunity is available at Santam Commercial Underwriting, Survey Department for a Surveyor to be based in Pietermaritzburg.

The Risk Surveyor is tasked with assessing risk while applying technical knowledge. Surveyors conduct detailed risk assessments on the risk, as well as provide an in-depth view to underwriters assisting them to underwrite the risk appropriately, more specifically:
Conducting desktop and physical surveys under the guidance of the Head surveyor.

What will make you successful in this role?

• The role of a surveyors is to understand all types of risks and its exposures that we write and provide a view on whether continued business is viable.  This required risk surveyors to be technically skilled.  The risk information provided by the surveyors allows the organisation to determine whether the risk will be treated, tolerated, terminated or transferred. This function is at the core of capabilities provided by the risk surveying team. The role of the risk surveyors translates Santam’s aspiration of being a risk management partner into action.
• The surveying role is a critical function within risk services. Surveyors conduct site inspections and evaluate risks based on information provided by clients, and by desktop reviews of previous surveys and information and photographs provided by clients and brokers.
• This role allows for a surveyor to work independently and under the Guidance of the Head and senior Surveyors and to assess risks according to Santam’s and National standards.  The surveyor will work within the prescribed parameters of the role and the relevant Head Surveyor.
• This role may have a consulting function where the surveyor will be called upon to consult on risks and to provide advice to Surveyors, Underwriters, Relationship managers, Technical managers, Brokers and Clients regarding the risk and alternatives to the risk reduction requirements under the direction of the Head Surveyor.

Survey delivery requirements:

• Conduct surveys within the required SLA
• Achieve the agreed productivity levels
• Provide feedback on all queries received under the guidance of the Head surveyor
• Provide the appropriate advice to clients, Brokers and internal staff as required under the guidance of the head surveyor
• Understanding all the legislative requirements/Bylaws
• Understanding the area of operations and hazards (Geographical areas and risks associated) (Process in respect of production and the function and safety of the machinery)
• Interact with various stakeholders (distribution, operations, underwriting and intermediaries) to ensure delivery of our world class surveying competency under the guidance of the Head Surveyor

Stakeholders 
Under the direction of the head surveyor perform the following:

• Engage with internal and external stake holders (Broker Distribution, Operations etc.) to get buy-in and understanding of our need to survey risks and ensure effective execution of survey processes.
• Provide surveying guidance and support to all Santam Group companies including MiWay, SEM, Namibia and Specialist business as required.
• Engage with external stakeholders (brokers) to educate/ inform, where relevant, and explain survey processes or risk reduction requirements

Qualifications and Experience

• Risk surveying or related experience
• Matric and ideally Fire Service Qualification, Technical Engineering Degree or Diploma, or relevant qualification, Minimum NQF level 4   
• Valid driver’s licence                                                                                                    
• Computer literate on Excel, Word, Presentations, etc.    
• Competency at previous level and proven competence at risk surveying, with experience in retention class and exposure stipulated above.
• FPA advanced courses, risk prevention strategies will be an advantage
• Technical training for related risks – High Value Clients, high hazard risks, thatch, will be an advantage.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to learn and research
• Ability to manage own work environment
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills and abilities
• Communication Skills
• Understanding of basic fire hazards, firefighting, risk identification
• Basic report writing
• Use of MS Office 365
• Use of policy information systems
• Work in other regions other than base.
• Capacity to operate under pressure
• Self-starter
• Knowledge of Underwriting and underwriting processes
• Knowledge of the policy wording

Competencies

• Delivering results & ability to work under pressure
• Relating and networking with the ability to collaborate effectively
• Analysing and attention to detail
• Applying expertise and technology
• Achieving personal work goals and objectives
• Learning and researching
• Time management Planning and organising
• Writing and reporting 
• Following instructions and procedures as well as client Protocols (e.g. induction, Covid 19)
• Working with people
• Ability to be client focused
• Adhering to principles and values