Underwriter: Specialist Liabilities at Telesure Investment Holdings (TIH)

JOB PURPOSE

• Assist in the design and implementation of the specialist liabilities underwriting framework for TIH Business Insurance (BI) that fosters superior risk selection, streamlined processing, loss ratio management and underwriting profitability.

Responsibilities

• Underwriting Contribute to the decisions around technical or professional underwriting and business enhancement solutions that would significantly improve business performance. Introduce underwriting rules on the acceptance of business. Assist in the resolution of escalated underwriting complaints and escalated underwriting opinions on claims. Support and contribute to the renewal of SL’s reinsurance programme in line with business strategy. Ensure optimal placement of facultative cases.

Product & Solution Development

• Analyse and evaluate the feasibility and relevance of proposed products and services. May also assist with the definition, development and delivery of a significant product or service, ensuring alignment with customer requirements. Review and enhance SL products accordingly (addressing gaps and competitively). Undertake market opportunity assessment for SL products and undertake comparative analysis on key competitors’ products.

Risk Management & Analysis

• Evaluate individual risks for acceptance where potential high risk scenarios exist or where there are changes to a clients’ claims behaviour. Determine underwriting processes and minimum risk acceptance criteria for SL clients.

Underwriting Policy Development & Implementation

• Assist in the development of underwriting frameworks for the underwriting department. Assist with creating underwriting procedures and monitoring their implementation within underwriting. Monitor adherence to set mandates through technical audits and controls as set in the underwriting framework. Leverage all available information from our partners, the industry and internally to ensure we are constantly reviewing the underwriting processes, systems and protocols with a view to improve efficiencies and to ensure best practice.

Operational Compliance

• Maintain and renew a deep knowledge and understanding of the organisation's policies and procedures and of relevant regulations, and ensure own work adheres to required standards. Ensure that business activities within underwriting comply with relevant external regulatory codes and with internal policies and procedures to minimise business risk and to protect the reputation of the organisation. Undertake technical underwriting audits. Maintain business rules around when audits are required and adhere to underwriting guidelines and standards by managing audits. Ensure that business objectives and personal delivery aligns to and meets the TSW principles.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify and manage internal and external stakeholder relationships (TIH companies; Brokers; Reinsurance brokers; Management colleagues). Find out their needs/issues/ concerns and reacting to these by leading and coordinating the development of stakeholder engagement plans to support the communication of business information and decisions.

Insights and Reporting

• Prepare and coordinate the completion of complex reports, identifying and interpreting patterns and trends, and translating those insights into actionable recommendations. Conduct monthly statistical analyses (loss ratio, multi[1]claimants and claims trends analyses) and engage underwriting (policy admin) to implement appropriate proposed corrective measures. Assist with the implementation of remedial measures. Prepare and contribute effectively to forums and committees where represented

Personal Capability Building

• Develop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation where relevant to improve performance and fulfill personal potential. Maintain an in- depth understanding of technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.

Performance Management

• Prioritise own workflow and ensure work is completed to the required standards of productivity, quality and timeliness; use performance management systems to improve personal performance.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

Decision Quality

• Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. For example, consistently demonstrates strong judgment; may be sought out by others for expertise and guidance. Takes smart, independent action in urgent and non-routine situations, knows when to escalate for others' involvement.

Communicates Effectively

• Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, disseminates knowledge, insights, and updates in a polished, precise, and compelling manner. Demonstrates a deep interest in others' comments. Creates rich documents and reports.

Instills

• Trust Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. For example, is consistently honest and straightforward; shares uncomfortable information in a clear and helpful manner. Maintains high ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.

Manages Complexity

• Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, consistently looks at complex issues from many angles; obtains a rich and deep understanding; swiftly cuts to the core issue; skillfully separates root causes from symptoms.

Ensures Accountability

• Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. For example, tracks performance and strives to remain effective, learning from both successes and failures. Readily takes on challenges or difficult tasks and has reputation for delivering on commitments.

Collaborates

• Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For example, enlists a range of stakeholders to add value; ensures they are well informed and surprises are avoided. Confronts and challenges "us vs. them"; shows strong appreciation for others' efforts toward shared goals.

Optimises Work Processes

• Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. For example, pays close attention to a variety of metrics and benchmarks; determines both major and subtle ways to optimize processes. Swiftly resolves process breakdowns; takes steps to ensure that problems do not recur.

Plans and Aligns

• Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. For example, strengthens alignment and coordination between own work and others', providing well-sequenced activities and exact time frames. Foresees and resolves many potential bottlenecks and delays.

Being Resilient

• Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations. For example, has excellent composure and professionalism, even in very difficult situations; acts as a steadying force or role model for others. Skillfully overcomes obstacles, learns from failures, and uses these lessons to improve subsequent efforts.

Skills

Underwriting

• Apply comprehensive knowledge / skill, and provides guidance and training to others. GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF SPECIALIST LIABILITY PRODUCTS AT AN SENIOR LEVEL.

Underwriting Training

• Use comprehensive knowledge and skills while guiding and training others to achieve full compliance with applicable rules and regulations in management and/or operations.

Policy and procedures

• Provide technical guidance when required to develop, monitor, interpret and understand policies and procedures, while making sure they match organisational strategies and objectives.

Data Collection and analysis

• Provide technical guidance when required to analyse data trends for use in reports to help guide decision making.

Numerical Skills

• Use an understanding of numerical concepts to perform mathematical operations such as report analysis and provide technical guidance when required.

Verbal and Written Communication

• Use clear and effective verbal communications skills and provides technical guidance when required to express ideas, request actions and formulate plans or policies.

Review and Reporting

• Provide technical guidance when required to review and create relevant, lucid and effective reports

Risk Management

• Identify, assess, prioritise and manage risks in the organisation and provides technical guidance when required.

Planning and Organising

• Plan, organise, prioritise and oversee activities to efficiently meet business objectives.

Computer Skills

• Support business processes by understanding and effectively using standard office equipment and standard software packages. Proficient in MS Office., General Underwriting Systems.

Presentation Skills

• Communicate with other people by speaking in a clear, concise and compelling manner.

Negotiation

• Negotiate to help the organisation by obtaining consensus between two or more internal or external parties who may have different interests.

EDUCATION

General Education

• Grade 12/ SAQA Accredited Equivalent (Essential); Relevant; RE 5 (Essential); FAIS recognised qualification (Essential); Degree in Underwriting or Law or similar (Advantageous); FIISA, AIISA or Diploma in Insurance or equivalent (Advantageous); Business Analysis certificate or similar (Advantageous)

Experience

General Experience

• 3 - 5 years experience in short-term insurance (In Specialist Liability Products (Essential); Short-term insurance industry - commercial underwriting experience (Advantageous