Senior Industry Specialist - Insurance

International Finance Corporation; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Finance Corporation is seeking a Senior Industry Specialist in Insurance for its Johannesburg office. This role involves building relationships with insurance firms, overseeing investments, and contributing to product development in Insurtech. Candidates should have significant experience in insurance, strong strategic thinking skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• At least fifteen years of experience in insurance, investment banking, or private equity.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements in the insurance / Insurtech sectors.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English; knowledge of French or Spanish would be a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build senior management relationships with insurance and reinsurance companies.
• Provide oversight and technical support to IFC's insurance investments.
• Contribute to the expansion of FIG investments product offerings.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Insurance sector knowledge

Relationship management

Regulatory compliance

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Masters or graduate level education in finance, accounting, business or economics

Professional actuary designation

Job description

Job title : Senior Industry Specialist - Insurance

Job Location : Gauteng, Johannesburg Deadline : July 28, 2025 Quick Recommended Links

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Duties & Accountabilities

• Build senior management relationships with regional and international insurance and reinsurance companies to develop a robust pipeline in traditional insurance business and support the closing of transactions on a consistent basis
• Be aware of trends and developments in the Insurtech space, especially in Emerging Markets, provide thought leadership and support business development for IFC’s investments strategy in this space
• Provide oversight and expert technical support to processing and portfolio management of all IFC's insurance / Insurtech equity investments, including financial modeling and valuations
• Provide thought leadership and technical expertise to the development and deployment of climate and disaster risk management instruments, index insurance and platforms supporting FIG investments and advisory services to institutions working with SMEs, women and smallholder farmers
• Contribute to the expansion of FIG investments product offerings (beyond equity and subordinated debt) to the (re)insurance / insurtech sector in emerging markets, by actively participating in research, development, testing and deployment of new products such as guarantees and risk sharing facilities
• Influence the activities of all teams and oversee the technical due diligence involved in insurance deals
• Provide guidance and training for regional investment officers to build up IFC’s internal capacity for insurance investments; in addition, provide learning materials for the World Bank Group Training Academy for the benefit insurance / insurtech and other private sector entities; and
• Manage external relationships in the insurance sector with other parts of the World Bank Group.

Selection Criteria

• Masters or other graduate level education in finance, accounting, business or economics, or attained designation of a professional actuary
• At least fifteen years of experience working in insurance, investment banking, private or early-stage equity with a solid track record leading, and closing investment transactions relating to insurance / Insurtech and / or financial institutions
• A strong strategic thinker with the ability to see the big picture of where subsegments of the insurance sector are headed in emerging markets, and where IFC can lead investments and / or play a role in their development
• Ability to advocate credibly for insurance / Insurtech investments, both at a strategic and at a deal-specific level
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance practices in the insurance / Insurtech sectors
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with strong and persuasive communication abilities with a high level of convincing power, capable of effectively influencing stakeholders, driving decisions, and advocating for strategic initiatives
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships within multi-disciplinary teams, with internal and external stakeholders, and with senior management
• Capacity to deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule; facility to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries;
• Strong record of managing complex relationships and building businesses in emerging markets
• Willingness to travel extensively and / or be based in one of IFC’s hubs in Africa
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English are required; additional major language such as French or Spanish would be a plus; and
• Highest standards of ethical integrity, transparency