Trainee Underwriter at Old Mutual South Africa

Job Description

• The 12-month Trainee Underwriter programme prepares the participant for the position of Individual Life Underwriter and is an opportunity to develop oneself in this field.
• Old Mutual offers this opportunity to enable persons new to the industry or to the job of risk underwriting, to develop the necessary skills to begin the career journey of an Underwriter.
• This is a 12-month Fixed Term contract with the specific goal of teaching the skills necessary to be an Underwriter. During the training a stipend is paid. Once fully trained, and all training requirements met, the trainee would be in a position to apply for a permanent position in the underwriting team.

Key Result Areas

• Be responsible for underwriting decisions, under the supervision of a mentor.
• Effectively handle all intermediary enquiries and give advice re specific requirements and impairments.
• Accurately capture underwriting information into the product administration system.
• Provide written communication to clients and distribution channels.
• Keep abreast of developments and trends in areas of expertise.
• Uphold and maintain the image of Underwriting and Old Mutual by always maintaining the highest standard in customer care.
• Develop critical underwriting skills, through classroom, independent, and on-the-job training, including analysis of health conditions, environmental and pastime exposures, and determination of appropriate insurance coverage.
• Gather and review information on financial conditions, risk exposures, and economic trends that may affect the risk provided.
• Establish, support, and maintain effective relationships with customers, agents and brokers through written and telephonic means.
• Utilise exceptional telephonic and written communication skills that support the department’s goals and interaction strategy.
• Participate in telephonic gathering of information pertinent to risk assessment criteria
• Follows standardised processes and provides administrative support in line with normal business functioning.
• Delivers on daily production standards and adheres to service and quality standards.
• Provide an indirect service to customers and directly to intermediaries.
• Responds to immediate requirements within procedure.

Role Requirements

• Matric with either Biology/Life Sciences and Mathematics or Biology/Life Sciences and Accounting essential (please include matric subjects on CV)
• Tertiary degree or diploma (minimum NQF7) essential. A medically aligned degree, BSc or BCom would be advantageous.
• Strong telephony skills experience would be advantageous
• Old Mutual product knowledge and system experience would be advantageous
• Well-developed English written and verbal communication skills (bilingual, English and one other official language)
• Life insurance product and process knowledge beneficial
• Proficient in MS Office suites i.e.  Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• Self-managed and strong team player
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent work ethic with a high degree of accuracy
• Deadline and Target driven
• Ability to work under pressure
• High sense of customer care
• Deal with a variety of customers telephonically, assisting them in resolving queries and providing accurate information
• Keep abreast of all product, process and system changes and developments
• Must be able to work at flexible times (flexible start times from 08h00 to 8h30) & end the day at flexible times (flexible end times from 16h30 to 19h00 accordingly). These hours may be adjusted in order to meet business needs.
• Must be willing to work overtime where necessary

Competencies:

• Gaining Commitment 
• Ownership 
• Planning & Organising own work
• Thinking Skills
• Continuous Renewal
• Tenacity

Skills

• Action Planning, Claims Management, Claims Settlement, Computer Literacy, Data Controls, Desktop Publishing (DTP), Executing Plans, Insurance Claims Investigations, Insurance Product Management, Insurance Sales, Numerical Aptitude, Presenting Solutions

Competencies

• Collaborates
• Ensures Accountability
• Financial Acumen
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Organizational Savvy
• Tech Savvy

Education

• Matriculation Certificate (Matric)

Closing Date

• 15 July 2026