Senior Political Risk Analyst at African Trade & Investment Development Insurance - ATIDI

Risk Assessment and Analysis:

• Conduct in-depth political risk assessments of countries, sectors, and projects across Africa, focusing on geopolitical, regulatory, and social dynamics;
• Prepare detailed economic and political risk country reports, as well as country risk ratings for ATIDI’s countries of interest, in support of the underwriting of PRI deals and portfolio management;
• Update country reports as well as country ratings, as necessitated by material economic and political developments at least once during the year but as often as may be required and maintain an up-to-date risk rating system for ATIDI's portfolio;
• Work with underwriters in assessing each request for PRI cover so as to ensure that the terms proposed reflects the risk profile and the risk rating of the obligor country;
• Examine each Non-binding indication (NBI) or enquiry for PRI or non-honoring of sovereign obligation, to establish risk appetite in the context of the country risk profile of the respective country and propose mitigants to minimize the likelihood of claims;
• Ensure the accuracy of Economic and business reports so as to support the dependability of underwriter risk assessment;
• Review underwriting reports for sovereign and sub-sovereign risks in liaison with underwriters to ensure that the PRI risk assessment is in line with the country risk report;
• Respond to queries and comments by re-insurers on PRI issues;
• Establish and foster a smooth working relationship with underwriting department for purposes of providing country risk analysis support in the underwriting of sovereign risks.

Monitoring and reporting:

• Prepare economic and political country reports/briefs for non-member countries on a need basis. This will be in support of new membership or the underwriting of sovereign risks in non-member states on the back of ATIDI’s Pan-African mandate;
• Monitor regional and international economic trends that impact on the business of ATIDI;
• Carry out economic and business research as may be required by the underwriting department;
• Collect, compile, analyze, process, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying necessary analytical models;
• Monitor political developments, elections, conflicts, and policy changes in key markets and provide timely reports;
• Draft comprehensive political risk assessment reports for the Political Risk Committee and Executive Management;
• Prepare and present risk analyses during underwriting decisions, political Risk Committee meetings and strategic planning sessions.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Establish and maintain relationships with member states’ Ministries of Finance, Central Banks and other relevant agencies;
• Work with Special Projects Assistant in overseeing the process of updating the underwriting capacity table and continuous monitoring of sector/country/project limits;
• Work with Special Project Assistant to ensure that risk department inputs to the Board reports are delivered on time;
• Establish and maintain on-going contacts with multilateral agencies such as the World Bank, IMF, IFC, and the AfDB;
• Liaise with the ESG officer in ensuring that ESG issues are incorporated in the Country Risk Reports for ATIDI member states, (including non-member states) where ATIDI is underwriting risks;
• Represent ATIDI in stakeholder meetings, conferences, and external forums on political and economic risk.

Risk mitigation and advisory:

• Develop and recommend strategies to mitigate political risks in line with the organization’s risk appetite;
• Advise on risk exposure during project planning, market entry, and investment decisions;
• Provide insights into political risk insurance and other risk transfer mechanisms.

Policy and Strategy Development:

• Contribute to the development of political risk management frameworks, policies, and guidelines;
• Support the implementation of risk mitigation strategies;
• Advise on the implications of political risks on ATIDI's strategic objectives and operational priorities;
• Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to interpret markets;
• Provide background material and research that will assist the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) with policy and investor advise to policymakers.

Training and capacity building:

• Provide training and workshops to staff and stakeholders on political risk concepts, trends, and mitigation techniques;
• Implement effective people management initiatives including:
• Monitoring workflow, volume of work deliverables and the delivery of work of direct reports;
• Assisting team members in outlining their professional development goals and identifying any need for and monitoring “on the job training”; mentoring and coaching team members;
• Planning and supporting the development of individuals’ skills and abilities to fulfil current or future job/role responsibilities more effectively;
• Providing training and workshops to staff and stakeholders on political risk concepts, trends, and mitigation techniques;
• Coordinating with other managers on assignments and obtain timely performance feedback;
• Providing ongoing informal and formal feedback to direct reports.
• Mentoring the Special Project Assistant in undertaking Enterprise Risk Management functions including coordinating information from Risk Owners for purposes of quarterly Board Reporting

Any other role as assigned by the Chief Risk Officer;

Role Specifications:

• A master’s degree in economics, Business Administration (MBA) or related field;
• A bachelor’s degree in Economics, Commerce, Business, Finance, Banking or Insurance related field.
• Membership in recognised professional associations;
• A minimum of nine (9) years relevant experience in multilateral, regional economic organisation, or financial institution;
• Strong knowledge of Risk Management;
• Knowledge and understanding of the structure of African economies;
• Knowledge and understanding of global trade, investment and economic issues;
• Knowledge of quantitative or statistical forecasting and research methodologies;
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and risk management software;
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and able to work under pressure to meet urgent deadlines with minimal supervision and with attention to details;
• Strong planning and organisation skills;
• Strong critical & strategic thinking skills and problem-solving abilities;
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information with high level of accuracy;
• Strong leadership and team management abilities;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality reports and presentations;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in cross-functional and multicultural teams;
• Availability to respond to emerging political risks and crises on short notice;
• Willingness to travel across African countries as required;
• Fluency in written and spoken English; Knowledge of French will be an added advantage; and
• Demonstrate ATIDI's core values - unity of purpose, customer first approach, integrity, getting it first the right time and creativity.

Benefits and Contractual information:

• 3-year contract
• Willing and able to relocate to Nairobi, Kenya
• Only qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.