Intermediate Underwriter

This role reports to the Team Manager: Underwriting. The Intermediate Life Underwriter is responsible for underwriting life, disability, critical illness, sickness and permanent incapacity cover within agreed underwriting authority limits.

The incumbent will deal with technical underwriting queries and/or complaints providing an excellent service offering.

Education:

• Medical diploma (NQF 6) or equivalent.
• Medical degree would be preferred

Experience:

• 3+ years underwriting experience in long term insurance.
• 4+ years insurance industry experience

Knowledge and Skills:

• Sound medical & life assurance knowledge.
• Fluent in English both written and verbal.
• Good computer knowledge - MS Outlook, Excel and Word are necessary.
• Must have a mature, disciplined and driven personality.
• Ability to work independently as well as being a good team-player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Deadline/target driven, with ability to work under pressure.
• Logical and analytical.
• Have a skill set that includes good levels of communication (both written & verbal), negotiation, analytical and numerical skills.
• Business writing skills.

Competencies:

• Must use underwriting initiative and discretion in decision making .
• Planning and organizing.
• Attention to detail.
• Client centricity.
• Building and maintaining relationships.
• Resilience.

Process optimization and efficiencies:

• The successful candidate will be responsible for underwriting life, disability, critical illness, sickness and permanent incapacity cover within agreed underwriting authority limits.
• To underwrite cases within the agreed service level agreements.
• Candidate must be willing to work under pressure and within agreed service levels.
• Responsible for achieving and maintaining standards in underwriting life
• Assist with regular audits on underwriting department and guarantee standards are maintained
• Provide constructive feedback to underwriting manager/underwriter regarding matters arising
• Assess specific underwriting cases.
• Responsible for financial underwriting to confirm accurate financial underwriting decisions.
• Participation in projects to improve departmental service-owning your role in the project and completing tasks as required by providing input.

Risk and Compliance:

• Adhere to internal SLA's to verify operational efficiency and achievement of agreed customer service standards
• Proficient in the assessment and management of underwriting decisions
• Must understand the underwriting environment and general protocols and processes

People and Culture:

• Checking and Authorization of underwriting decisions in terms of published delegation of authority
• Collaboration with relevant stakeholders: Research & Development, Member Services and Intermediary Services
• Assist with Arbitration and Ombudsman cases and collaborate with other stakeholder during the Complaints process
• Contribute and assist to review processes and protocols where required to assist in PPS' delivery of quality underwriting decisions
• Forge strong working relationships with stakeholders

Knowledge Champion:

• Provide guidance and support to junior underwriters
• Empower team members with transfer of knowledge
• Secure that own knowledge is kept abreast with industry & regulatory information and changes through various internal and external information sources
• Provide technical information and support