Underwriter - OMLAU

About Old Mutual

Old Mutual is dedicated to harnessing the potential of Africa through its diverse workforce and commitment to excellence. We invite motivated professionals to shape Africa's story with us.

Role Purpose

This position ensures high-quality underwriting and pension administration outcomes within the Commercial/Personal lines underwriting department. The role focuses on maintaining underwriting standards while delivering excellent service to clients, agencies, and brokers. It supports profitable business growth, product development, and implements company-wide objectives by accurately assessing risks, managing pension scheme records, and engaging stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and analyze risks using proposal forms, medical and financial documentation in line with underwriting policies and delegated authority.
• Ensure strict adherence to regulatory frameworks, underwriting policies, treaties, and internal controls.
• Address client, member, employer, and stakeholder inquiries and complaints promptly and professionally.
• Generate accurate quotations, deeds of adherence, and underwriting terms within set timelines to aid acquisition and retention.
• Review, prepare, and issue policies and underwriting documents consistent with terms and authority limits.
• Maintain precise policy and underwriting records within the system ensuring correct contribution allocations.
• Process and reconcile employer and employee contributions, resolving discrepancies efficiently.
• Keep member data accurate and current to uphold data integrity standards.
• Produce member statements, schedules, reports, and other scheme-related documentation.
• Respond expediently to all queries from members, trustees, employers, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare thorough underwriting documentation supporting acceptance and risk placement decisions.
• Manage benefit claims processing ensuring timely and accurate payments.
• Comply with pension scheme rules, policies, and regulations in all administration activities.
• Support audit processes, reconciliations, regulatory reviews, and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with trustees, custodians, fund managers, employers, regulators, and service providers.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive scheme and member information.
• Assist in onboarding of new scheme members and participating employers.
• Contribute to process improvements, system enhancements, and implementation projects.
• Identify and suggest improvements for administrative, underwriting, data, and system challenges to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Execute additional duties aligned with the position’s level and responsibilities.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Responsibilities

The incumbent must uphold and implement AML, compliance, and sanctions policies, ensuring customer due diligence through KYC processes, conducting ongoing and enhanced scrutiny, and maintaining impeccable data quality. The role involves detecting and escalating any AML, sanctions, or compliance concerns to the Risk and Compliance office.

Education & Experience

Applicants should possess a university degree in Business Administration, Finance, Actuarial Science, or a Diploma/Certification from Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). Additionally, a minimum of five years relevant experience in life assurance underwriting and pension administration is required.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficient computer literacy.
• Excellent analytical and risk assessment capabilities.
• In-depth knowledge of retirement benefits, insurance markets, and regulatory environments.
• Familiarity with compliance, KYC, underwriting guidelines, risk-based pricing, and insurance product management.

Core competencies include being action-oriented, collaborative, effective communication, accountability, trust-building, managing complexity, optimizing workflows, and strategic planning.