Company Profile

The Association of Rural Banks-Ghana (North Chapters) with the assistance of both local and international donors is implementing a 3 year development program dubbed Promoting Microinsurance Services in Northern Ghana (PROMISING).

The program seeks to build the capacity of Rural & Community Banks in the 3 regions of Northern Ghana to facilitate the distribution of insurances services to clients in their catchment area, there by promoting microinsurance as an alternative risk management tools for the informal sector.

The program is currently in the second year of Implementation and seeks the services of a Programme Manager with technical expertise (insurance for the informal sector).

Job Description

Association of Rural Banks-Ghana (North Chapters)/ PROMISING PROJECT

• Position:  Programme Officer  (Microinsurance)                                    
• Duty Station:  Bolgatanga
• Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment                                            
• Duration of Contract: One year, renewable.

Description of Duties:

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Programme Officer – (Microinsurance) will be part of a team responsible for the achievement of the program objectives which includes:

1. Building the capacity of  RCBs in microinsurance operations management
2. Creating awareness on microinsurance 
3. Assisting RCBs to develop innovative marketing strategies for microinsurance products
4. Assist with documentation of business processes at the Coordination Center
5. Write reports and proposals

Working in close collaboration with the Program Manager, the Program Officer provides technical inputs related to insurance, including but not limited to product design, distribution, claims, policy administration, pricing, processes, and applications of technology. S/he supports projects from inception to completion and engages with key stakeholders and partners. These stakeholders and partners includes the RCBs, ARB Chapters, NGO’s, insurance companies and the donor community. The position contributes significantly to analyzing, documenting and disseminating lessons learned from RCBs and supports market development and capacity building. Travel is estimated to be 15 to 30 per cent of work time.

Duties

1. Provide specialized technical expertise related to focused thematic areas (e.g. agriculture index insurance, microinsurance, claims handling, and marketing) keep current on new developments within assigned areas and build internal team capacity on these topics.
2. Monitoring of project objectives, targets, implementation plans; prepare progress reports and use tracking tools.
3. Contribute to the development of, and use frameworks to analyze the performance of partners; provide technical feedback, and take corrective action as required. Conduct onsite evaluations as requested.
4. Document (or facilitate the documentation of) experiences of partners and other stakeholders, extracting relevant lessons and good practices; draft Emerging Insights.
5. Provide technical input for the development of training and knowledge sharing activities, including developing or refining content and establishing and engaging with communities of practice or local strategic partners that are delivering or supporting delivery of microinsurance.
6. Provide technical input to design, and participate in virtual or in-person external meetings, workshops training and seminars for RCBs and other key stakeholders.
7. Develop and maintain relationships in support of market development and facilitate cooperation and knowledge sharing with microinsurance practitioners, consultants, regulators and other relevant stakeholders.
8. Support the selection, placement, mentoring and capacity building of Microinsurance Officers of RCBs volunteers and interns from external collaborators.
9. Support fundraising, including identifying prospects, developing and presenting proposals.
10. Support ad hoc projects in support of the programme's main initiatives, as requested by the Program Manager.

Required Skills or Experience

Education:

1. Minimum of university degree in (insurance, economics, actuarial science) or other relevant field.
2. Master's degree in Development Studies, or MBA preferred.
3. Professional certificate in Insurance (ACII) from CII or the Advanced Diploma in Insurance from the Ghana Insurance College an added advantage, but not a must.

Experience:

At least 5 years of professional experience in the insurance or microinsurance industry or other relevant industry, with at least two years’ experience working with informal groups, MFI’s and rural banking environment.

Languages

Excellent written and verbal command of English.

Competencies:

1. Technical expertise in insurance targeting low income households.
2. Effective communicator with excellent writing skills; able to develop and foster positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
3. Ability to use qualitative and quantitative analytical tools and techniques.
4. Work in a multicultural environment. Strong computer skills including the use of word processing and spreadsheet software. Excellent trouble-shooting and problem solving skills.
5. Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision.
6. Mature, responsible and professional.
7. Good judgment and sound decision-making skills.
8. Excellent organizational and project management skills; ability to multi-task.
9. Meets deadlines reliably.
10. Detail-oriented and Team player.
11. Able to mentor and inspire young professionals, newcomers and others within the field of microinsurance. Sound knowledge of socio-economic conditions in Northern Ghana, including knowledge of development principles, concepts and techniques.