Underwriting Portfolio Analyst

Who We Are

Africa Specialty Risks Ltd (ASR) is a specialty (re)insurer focusing on risks located primarily in Africa, Middle East and developing markets, across all specialty lines of business. ASR also has a syndicate at Lloyd's in London and South Africa as well as Lloyd’s service companies in the UK, DIFC, Mauritius and Casablanca.

Africa Specialty Risks (ASR) is enabling sustainable economic development by fulfilling unmet insurance needs. Our platform provides local underwriting expertise, an unparalleled distribution network and access to global capacity.

Founded in the heart of Africa and with offices across the continent and the Middle East, we provide regional market knowledge, data insights, and technical proficiency for capital partners who are looking to increase their presence in growth markets.

We also participate on each and every risk we underwrite with balance sheets in Bermuda, Mauritius and through Syndicate 2454 at Lloyd’s. ASR is committed to accelerating business growth by providing customised service and innovative insurance products to enable development.

Role Purpose

This role offers substantial scope to lead Africa Specialty Risks’ first line of defence Underwriting Portfolio Management function and to play a key role in Underwriting Portfolio Management workstream. This position reports into the Chief Underwriting Officer. The Underwriting portfolio analyst will have a dedicated focus on guiding and informing underwriting portfolio decisions through detailed performance analysis, portfolio optimisation and forward-looking insight.

Role and Responsibilities

A key responsibility of the role will be to manage and maintain the underwriting reporting suite, ensuring that portfolio performance is regularly monitored, analysed and communicated to relevant stakeholders. This will provide and support the Chief Underwriting Officer with the insight required to assess performance, identify trends, manage exposure and support strategic underwriting decisions. The position will hold a significant profile within the business, with clear strategic direction provided by Underwriting Management.

The role also requires strong leadership capability, with the ability to influence and constructively challenge underwriting management and teams, make timely and well-informed decisions, and build, lead and manage a high-performing team. Under the direction of the Chief Underwriting Officer, the role will play a central part in supporting the proactive management and steering of the underwriting portfolio, including the following areas:

• Underwriting Portfolio MI Suite Maintenance and Enhancement: Maintain, update, develop and enhance the team’s extensive suite of existing Excel-based MI reports, ensuring they remain accurate, relevant and fit for purpose. Create new MI outputs where required to support evolving business and stakeholder needs.
• Underwriting Portfolio Dashboards: Support the development of a comprehensive suite of Underwriting Portfolio MI and dashboards within Power BI, with the aim of improving the team’s efficiency, analytical capability and ability to service a broad range of stakeholders, including the Chief Underwriting Officer and underwriting teams.
• Underwriting Portfolio Monitoring: Monitor underwriting portfolio performance on an ongoing basis, identifying key movements, emerging trends and potential areas of concern. Proactively highlight performance deviations against strategy and plan, as well as opportunities for portfolio optimisation.
• Performance Reviews: Undertake targeted performance reviews and optimisation analysis, including detailed assessments of profitability, sustainability and overall portfolio performance, to support informed underwriting decision-making.
• Portfolio Reporting: Produce and deliver regular portfolio reporting for relevant forums, clearly summarising performance against strategic objectives and planning targets. Support active discussions on portfolio performance and steering, including the preparation of reports, analysis and presentation materials for committees, senior management and board-level meetings.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely and proactively with key stakeholders, including Actuarial, Exposure Management and underwriting teams, to support the development of relevant MI, ensure alignment of analysis and drive effective portfolio management outcomes.

Skills & Experience

• Relevant experience in the (re)insurance industry (P&C and Speciality lines of business), preferably working within portfolio management, financial analysis, actuarial or data teams.
• Analytical and quantitative skills: Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and make informed decisions.
• Experience with maintaining and improving extensive suite of MI, sourced from various data-heavy sources.
• Experience with summarising key takeaways in a clear and succinct manner, suited to stakeholders.
• Able to produce speedy analysis, thinking on their feet and be able to proactively work in a dynamic work environment.
• Technical Proficiency in Excel and an understanding of various analytical tools.
• Ability to interpret and understand complex excel-based reports including reading, writing, streamlining and fixing code.
• Experience using Power BI is desirable, including dashboard creation and transitioning excel-based MI / Dashboards into Power BI.
• Attention to detail: High level of attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks.
• Articulate written and verbal communicator with good presentation skills.