Head, Sustainable Insurance

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Thought Leadership & Ecosystem Development

Contribute to thought leadership in the utilisation of insurance investment and underwriting capital to drive sustainability goals; developing and maintaining a strong understanding of the insurance industry ecosystem and potential change levers:

• Participate in the Adaptation & Resilience pillar’s ecosystem analysis activities (including stakeholder analysis); contribute to the generation of insights pertinent to the African insurance industry.
• Keep up-to-date on market system developments and emerging legislation; ensure engagement with experts and decision makers in SSA countries and elsewhere to understand strategic priorities for the development of the insurance sector.
• Develop and strengthen partnerships with key and emerging players in the African and global insurance industries; especially with our network of signatories to the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance.
• Develop and communicate a deep and comprehensive understanding of how to drive beneficial eco-system change in and through the African insurance industry.
• Support the development of strategy and plans for the Sustainable Insurance programme and NDSI with a view to increasing the proportion of investment and underwriting capital that is allocated in a way that supports the green transition.

Project Cycle Management

Manage the development and implementation of the Sustainable Insurance portfolio of projects, ensuring that each individual investment, and the portfolio as a whole, achieves targeted results:

• Conceptualise, design and write high quality investment proposals for the Sustainable Insurance Programme; including results measurement and risk management frameworks.
• Following approval, ensure that detailed implementation plans are developed; including budgets and procurement of consultants / implementing partners as required.
• Manage monitoring, results management, reporting and learning for Sustainable Insurance projects being implemented; ensuring objective analysis of results and appropriate corrective actions as required to optimise FSD Africa’s beneficial impact.
• Provide high quality technical advice and support to Implementing Partners, Consultants and other project stakeholders in the utilisation of investment and underwriting capital to drive sustainability goals.
• Ensure comprehensive and timely communication with all project stakeholders.

Financial Management & Fundraising

Manage the finances associated with the Sustainable Insurance Programme, aiming to optimise the impact that is achieved with resources and ensuring compliance with FSD Africa’s and Donor policies:

• Identify opportunities for fundraising and co-funding for the work of FSD Africa & support with proposal development as requested.
• Conceptualise how funds and other limited resources may be best allocated to achieve optimum impact; including supervising the work of consultants to optimise value for money.
• Track and monitor budget spend and associated activities ensuring cost effective utilisation of resources and timely achievement of financial targets.
• Ensure that the accountability requirements of donors are met and that good relationships with funders are maintained at all times.

Influencing & Communicating for Impact

Support transformative market development through effective influencing, advocacy, and communication strategies:

• Support stakeholder mapping; identifying key decision makers/ power brokers/ customer groups and developing ideas for influencing them and/ or transforming their mindsets.
• Develop and implement strategies for influencing key stakeholders and driving change in the insurance sector; for instance, advocating for policy reform.
• Work collaboratively with the Strategic Communications team to develop and implement work plans and budgets; ensuring that efforts are monitored and evaluated to ensure impact.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Communication strategy (e.g. by developing content for written materials/ website; participating in campaigns etc); participate in and contribute to the development of annual and quarterly reports.
• Represent FSD Africa in public forums and networking opportunities and/or convene stakeholders in order to build awareness and influence thinking; at all times behaving in a manner consistent with FSD Africa’s brand and values.

Implementing Partner Engagement & Capacity building

Identify, engage and support key implementing partners; so that they are equipped to operate effectively and contribute towards the Sustainable Insurance strategy:

• Ensure appropriate selection of partners; ensuring optimal combinations of partners to bring out their synergies for the programmes e.g. political economics, due diligence, influence, etc. 
• Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders in chosen implementing partners, leveraging new opportunities that may arise and dealing promptly with relationship difficulties.
• Engage partners in joint strategizing and the development of projects that will leverage change and have a positive impact on insurance market development.

Team Management

Manage staff and consultants in a manner that empowers them to add value to FSD Africa and deliver high standards of performance:

• Support the resourcing of the Sustainable Insurance Programme with the expertise necessary to deliver on project implementation, including management of staff and procurement of consultants.
• Ensure that each team member (staff and consultants) is provided with clarity concerning goals and expectations of their personal role in achieving results, standards and behaviour.
• Plan and organise the work of the team to accomplish project goals and targets in the most cost-effective and impactful manner possible.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment that motivates team members and results in high performance.
• Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Management.

COMPETENCIES

• Competencies describe the key behaviours that drive success in all of FSD Africa’s roles, regardless of technical specialism. They have been derived from systematic research correlating performance with personal attributes. 

Competency Levels 

• Level 1: Basic
• Level 2: Foundation   
• Level 3: Specialist
• Level 4: Senior Specialist      
• Level 5: Leading Expert          
• Level 6: Executive

This position requires competency at Senior Specialist Level for all the competencies listed below:

ESSENTIAL FOUNDATIONS
Commitment & Alignment

• Demonstrates commitment to serving our partners and alignment with the values and vision of FSD Africa

Change & Challenge

• Has a strong sense of ownership that leads to learning, self-starting, taking initiative, driving change and leading development

ACHIEVEMENT COMPETENCIES
Situational Awareness & Thinking

• Thinks clearly and intentionally, analysing information objectively, understanding issues, solving problems, and making decisions

Drive for results

• Is keenly motivated to achieve goals & act with accountability to deliver quality results

PEOPLE COMPETENCIES
Relationships & Collaboration

• Discerns and appreciates the values, viewpoints, or abilities of others; effectively reconciles different interests and displays emotional intelligence

Communication & Influencing

• Deliberately adjusts behaviour to accommodate others; communicates clearly, confidently, and appropriately to influence others

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications and Education

• Relevant Master’s degree and 11 years of experience OR good quality Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university and 12 years of experience progressing to a senior level, working in a field relevant to insurance or financial market development in Africa.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English.
• Must be resident in Africa.

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• At least 11 years of experience working in the Insurance Industry in Africa, with progressively increasing responsibility.
• Strong network within the African Insurance Industry with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders in Private and Public sectors.
• Ability to manage project portfolio with a middle-level budget.
• Ability to manage project diversity and complexity.
• Successful track record of delivery of results in and the provision of technical assistance.
• Experience in conducting and analysing research.
• Understanding of the development world and strategic MRM (preferred).

Desirable

• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of donor policies and procedures.
• Previous experience of working in FCDO-funded projects.
• Languages: French, local African languages.