Background

NICO Insurance Zambia Limited is seeking qualified and experienced professionals for the position of Assistant Underwriting Manager – SME/Retail Lines. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in assistant underwriting manager jobs in Lusaka to contribute to a leading insurance company by supporting the management of the SME/Retail Lines Unit in alignment with company strategies, policies, and procedures.

Position Overview

The Assistant Underwriting Manager will play a vital role in underwriting operations, ensuring effective risk assessment, policy renewals, and compliance with regulatory standards. The role requires collaboration with brokers, agents, and clients to provide technical advice and maintain strong business relationships. Additionally, the successful candidate will supervise and develop underwriting staff, ensuring adherence to company policies and underwriting systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Support planning and management of underwriting operations by analysing market trends, business performance, and claims experience.
• Manage policy renewals, ensuring timely processing of renewal notices and documentation.
• Review and approve underwriting transactions within authorised limits, escalating issues when necessary.
• Conduct risk surveys and assessments for both existing and prospective clients.
• Assess new risks, determine terms, and prepare quotations within authorised limits.
• Monitor premium bookings and contribute to achieving underwriting targets.
• Maintain and manage relationships with brokers, agents, and clients.
• Provide technical underwriting advice to clients and stakeholders.
• Ensure underwriting operations comply with regulatory, KYC, and client service level agreements.
• Address stakeholder and client complaints within agreed service levels.
• Supervise, guide, and train underwriting staff on procedures, policy coverage, and systems.

Qualifications and Experience

• First Degree in Insurance, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or equivalent qualification, with ZAQA certification.
• 3 to 6 years of relevant experience in general insurance underwriting.

Key Competencies

• Proven ability to manage and develop underwriting staff effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report preparation.
• Strong planning and organisational capabilities.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
• Effective interpersonal and negotiation skills to meet agreed targets.

• Support planning and management of underwriting operations by analysing market trends, business performance, and claims experience.
• Manage policy renewals, ensuring timely processing of renewal notices and documentation.
• Review and approve underwriting transactions within authorised limits, escalating issues when necessary.
• Conduct risk surveys and assessments for both existing and prospective clients.
• Assess new risks, determine terms, and prepare quotations within authorised limits.
• Monitor premium bookings and contribute to achieving underwriting targets.
• Maintain and manage relationships with brokers, agents, and clients.
• Provide technical underwriting advice to clients and stakeholders.
• Ensure underwriting operations comply with regulatory, KYC, and client service level agreements.
• Address stakeholder and client complaints within agreed service levels.
• Supervise, guide, and train underwriting staff on procedures, policy coverage, and systems.

• Proven ability to manage and develop underwriting staff effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report preparation.
• Strong planning and organisational capabilities.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
• Effective interpersonal and negotiation skills to meet agreed targets.

• First Degree in Insurance, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or equivalent qualification, with ZAQA certification.
• 3 to 6 years of relevant experience in general insurance underwriting.