Senior Manager Guarantees (Underwriting Risk, Claims & Governance)

Guardrisk is the undisputed market leader in cell captive insurance and risk solutions. We are renowned for our innovative approach to cell captive structures and other alternative risk transfer solutions for our clients. Guardrisk offers clients custom designed cover and is registered in South Africa as an insurer for all statutory classes of non-life and life insurance business.

Responsible for the independent & legal control of underwriting operations underwriting discipline and risk quality while retaining specialist responsibility of claims recoveries and governance of the Guarantees division.

Oversee the underwriting & legal risk in construction commercial and renewable energy guarantees transactions.
Oversee the underwriting & legal risk in domestic foreign project finance and corporate guarantee transactions.
Senior member of the underwriting risk committee for the Guarantees division.
Develop and implement comprehensive risk mitigants/risk management plans on new project guarantee requests.
Assessing of project legal and contractual risks on new project requests and projects in distress.
Structuring and negotiation of project finance and corporate finance deals across construction commercial energy and mining sectors.

Manage oversee and report on all legal operational & administration matters in the Guarantees division.
Drafting reviewing vetting and negotiating of all types of agreements including legal opinions guarantee wordings project agreements finance agreements security agreements and other legal documentation to ensure legal compliance.
Oversee the entire the guarantee process from inception to cancellations.
Review and enhance underwriting criteria/standards in the Guarantees division to world class standards.
Manage oversee & develop a robust underwriting framework risk appetite framework policy guidelines mandates data sets and workflows within the delegation of authority & reinsurance parameters.
Implement a quality assurance programme to conduct internal audit portfolio reviews & compliance checks.
Prepare regular reporting for Management Exco Group and Reinsurers.

Review claims received coordinate claim investigations prepare counterclaims and participate in litigation if required.
Manage oversee and report on all claims matters and legal interactions in the Guarantees division.
Lead the management of the end-to-end claims function i.e. review advise salvage recoveries negotiations reserving to settlement.
Develop strategies to minimise financial & underwriting losses.
Develop project recovery plans and risk mitigation strategies for distressed projects.
Drafting reviewing vetting of all claims notifications cash calls and reinsurer updates.
Develop & maintain a watchlist & runoff reporting platform to monitor & mitigate potential claims/loss events.
Liaison with all external legal firms.
Lead the claims operations data & administration team.
Mentoring coaching developing & training the Guarantees team members.
Familiarize and provide updates to all employees/stakeholders with key contracts agreements and obligations.
Provide permanent support to reinforce commercial and contractual awareness.
Stay informed and abreast of developments in the construction energy surety guarantee & related markets.
Pursue relevant growth opportunities that would allow the Guarantees division to achieve its strategic targets goals and objectives.
Establish and grow strategic partnerships to support the goals and growth plans of the greater Guarantees division.
Build maintain and continuously strengthen all relationships with the Guardrisk Groups product support reinsurance as well as broker partners.
Ensure that all regular interactions with any of the Guardrisk Groups reinsurance broker or product partners are done at the highest possible level of professionalism and ethical conduct.
Ensure and maintain professional relationships with all customers suppliers and trade connections of the Guardrisk Group with a view to maintain uphold and improve the groups reputation and goodwill.

• Minimum 10 years legal experience in guarantees banking credit and project finance.
• An undergraduate degree ( compulsory.
• A postgraduate degree (LLM or similar preferred).
• Certificate in Short-Term Insurance (or working towards it).
• RE 5 Certificate for Representatives (or working towards it).
• FAIS compliant (or working towards it).
• Minimum 10 years working experience in the infrastructure industry in Africa.
• Contract Management experience including Infrastructure Contracts Concession Contracts Power Purchase Agreements PPP Agreements Management Services Agreements Construction Management Agreements and Operations & Maintenance Agreements.
• Managing risks associated with Energy contracts.
• Experience with IPP Projects/renewable energy projects.
• Able to deal effectively with Claims Disputes Negotiations Recoveries.
• Knowledge and strong understanding of infrastructure contracts guarantees project management legal principles corporate finance and project finance in Africa.

• Sound risk judgment and decision making.
• Decisive critical & analytical thinking skills.
• Independent thinking.
• Excellent written verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Operate in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Planning & organizing.
• Commercial acumen.
• Attention to detail.
• Conflict management and resolution.
• Accountability & ownership.
• Continuous improvement.