Reports to: Head: Underwriting Unit
Division: Underwriting
Number of Subordinates: 3
Job Grade: D2
PURPOSE OF THIS ROLE
The purpose of this role is to underwrite insurance applications. The incumbent of this role will also be responsible to coach & mentor junior staff.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES, MEASURES & INTERFACES
- Review and analyze data to determine level of country risk, industry and project risks in relation to the risks being offered for coverage.
- Understanding of OECD guidelines
- Evaluate and analyze transactions sought for coverage and structure them into supportable transactions that meet ECIC mandate and credit requirements.
- Develop and maintain contacts with exporters, lenders, and other institutions involved in the export business.
- Responsible for identifying new business opportunities for ECIC using various business development tools.
- Conduct the assessment of technical feasibility, commercial feasibility, environmental and social aspects, financial and credit worthiness of projects/transactions (including governance issues such as anti-bribery, sanctionable entities etc in line with the policies of the corporation).
- Conduct project desktop and field due diligence, where applicable, that includes reviewing legal, financial and project documents.
- Assess the degree and types of commercial and non-commercial risks likely to be involved in an investment and determine whether these risks should be covered and under what terms and conditions.
- Prepare high-quality project submissions to Project EXCO, FIIC Committee and Board for the relevant governance structure to consider and approve.
- Present and support projects to ECIC approval committee i.e., Project EXCO and/or FIIC Committee for approval
- Keep abreast of disbursements to approved projects as well as the project’s progress post cover.
- Analyze annual financial statements and management accounts and financial models/projections
- Analyze and sensitize financial models
- Carry out the corporate strategic plan, and the business goals of the Underwriting unit as measures against the performance evaluation process
- Work in collaboration with other business units, such as Risk, Business Development Unit, Portfolio Unit, PEAR Unit, Actuarial Unit, Legal Services Unit etc and coordinate the team in the assessment of transactions/projects and ensure their input is incorporated when compiling the Project submission.
- Negotiation of transactions, structuring and review of commercial terms in the finance documents, security documents and other related documents
- Mitigate risks and/or compliance issues within the unit in accordance with ECIC compliance and risk management strategy
- Keep abreast of evolving insurance and other relevant regulations
Key Measures
- Increased good quality underwriting activities for the corporation and achieve relevant targets.
- Increased repetitive business and value and number of transactions/projects approved.
- Management of client relationships and key stakeholders.
Key Interfaces
- CEO and CUO
- Actuary
- Other business units particularly Risk Unit, Business Development Unit, Portfolio Unit, PEAR Unit, Actuarial Unit, Legal Services Unit, etc
- ECIC Executives and Managers
- Lenders and Investors
- Exporters
- Senior Government Officials
- Other Export credit agencies
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- A minimum of a Honors degree with specialisation in Economics, Accountancy, Finance, Banking, Science, Law or Engineering;
- A minimum of 7 years’ experience of relevant experience in project financing, corporate finance, political risk underwriting or risk management.
- Sound knowledge of international business, contractual, corporate & project financial practices and accounting.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
The incumbent should have demonstrated the following competencies:
- Strong credit and risk analysis skills.
- Solution driven
- Must be able to comprehensively analyze financial statements and review financial models.
- Must be familiar with and have the ability to negotiate complex financial transactions.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing at all levels (Board, Executives, Staff and other key Stakeholders).
- Ability to coordinate and manage multiple functions.
- Ability to communicate underwriting concepts to non-specialists.
- Ability to forge relationships with other areas of the business.
- Strong aptitude for problem resolution and decision making.
- Problem solving skills to identify issues and present creative and practical solutions.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Strict attention to detail and deadline orientated.
- Genuine commitment to highest ethical standards and to sustainable business practices
- Willingness to travel
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
The incumbent is required to have the following Behavioural competencies:
- Problem Solving: Demonstrates adequate problem-solving skills and appropriately applies proven solutions.
- Business Acumen: Develops and uses a strategy to target own time (and time of others) on a portfolio of customers to maximize revenue and profitability.
- Delivery: Translates business objectives into practical, prioritised and organised action plans; ensures plans are safely and successfully implemented.
- Conflict Resolution: Identifies and pushes for solutions in which all parties can benefit.
- Team Participation: Consistently offers relevant input to team discussions as issues are being clarified and solutions are being developed.
- Flexibility: Available to work more than ordinary business hours.
APPLICATIONS
Closing Date: Friday, 27 November 2026
NOTE: It is ECIC’s intention to promote equity through the filling of vacancies, according to the Corporation’s Employment Equity targets.
Data Protection
Personal information collected and processed for purposes of recruitment will be protected from unauthorised access and improper use or disclosure.
Declaration and Informed Consent
By submitting your application for the advertised role, you give ECIC permission to process your personal information and you acknowledge that you understand the purpose for which it is required and for which it will be used. Furthermore, you declare that all personal information supplied to the ECIC for the purposes of recruitment is accurate, up to date, not misleading and that it is complete in all respects.