Specialist - Non-Life Actuary - International Development Agency

1. POSITION VACANT: Non-Life Actuary Specialist (NLAS), International Development Agency (IDA), New Delhi

2. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

Our client is a respected International Development Agency (IDA) that has been working in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, the IDA works towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

With operations across India, the IDA works with national and subnational governments, and diverse development actors, to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the lead for collective action on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the international development agency fraternity, the IDA is committed to supporting Government of India's national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

The IDA is seeking future-smart development professionals, to join their team to support India in achieving national and globally agreed goals. As part of the IDA team, the post-holder will focus on working with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

Project Description:

More than half of all livelihoods in India are primarily dependent on agriculture. A massive 54.6% of the total workforce is engaged in agricultural and allied sector activities and 57% of rural households are directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.

However, the agricultural sector faces multiple challenges like small landholding, declining productivity, rising input costs, declining farm income, adverse impact of climate change, and decline in the percentage share of workers engaged in the agriculture sector. Agricultural production shocks have huge social and financial repercussions, impacting rural income levels, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and poverty rates.

The Government of India's flagship schemes, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Kisan Credit Card/ Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (KCC/ MISS), have become important tools to strengthen the resilience of Indian farmers. The schemes provide a safety net for farmers by providing financial risk protection against natural calamities and catastrophic events including pests, climate uncertainties and environmental shocks.

Apart from providing comprehensive risk coverage for the entire crop cycle, PMFBY also enables direct claim transfer into farmers' accounts through e-remittance. Additionally, to address agrarian distress, MISS provides cheap and hassle-free credit to millions of farmers to ensure continued investment in agriculture for mechanisation, modernisation of agriculture practices and eventually, enhanced productivity.

The IDA is supporting the Ministry of Agriculture in setting up a Central Program Management Unit (CPMU) for the implementation of PMFBY and KCC, focused on improving institutional and programme responsiveness, increasing coverage and better access among marginalised and excluded farm households, offering innovative measures and supporting mechanisms for agri-value chain financing, risk management and reduced crop loss for the rural population in India.

The PMU also focuses on providing capacity building and training support to participating state-level government departments involved in PMFBY and KCC and advancing the schemes among new states for improved uptake.

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Non-Life Actuary Specialist (NLAS) will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the National Programme Director-TSU. S/he shall ensure the engagement of all direct stakeholders and the delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Joint Secretary & CEO, DoA&FW, MoA&FW, when needed.

Key Responsibilities:

(1) Work closely on the Crop Insurance Web Portal and Data Management Scheme to maintain a National Crop Insurance Underwriting and Claims Database for PMFBY and WBCIS programs;

(2) Undertake annual review of crop insurance results and underlying claims costs and comparison with the OGP (commercial) premium rates charged by individual insurance companies;

(3) Perform risk-based modelling to determine premium rates;

(4) Train concerned staff in State Governments and TSUs on actuarial and rating methods and the interpretation of results;

(5) Work closely with National Programme Director - TSU and Crop Insurance & R&D Lead on product design to incorporate features that are compatible with the existing underwriting guidelines;

(6) Provide technical backstopping for inputs for training activities on actuarial and rating methods;

(7) Provide necessary inputs for the timely submission of all progress reports required by the IDA, and the Ministry of Agriculture;

(8) Foster partnerships with key national and state government departments, private insurance companies, international reinsurers supporting PMFBY, farmers' organisations and relevant technical institutions working on agriculture insurance and related issues;

(9) Perform any other tasks consistent with the level of the post and/ or assigned by the National Programme Director - Technical Support Unit.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

(A) Qualification and Experience :

Essential:

(1) Master's Degree in Actuarial Science or Statistics, Econometrics or equivalent, with a minimum of five years of demonstrable experience in the design and rating of crop insurance programmes in India; OR

(2) Batchelor's Degree in Actuarial Science, or Statistics, or Econometrics, or equivalent with a minimum of seven years of demonstrable experience in the design and rating of crop insurance programmes in India;

(3) Relevant national-level experience of working with governments and private entities in the insurance sector.

Desirable:

(1) Additional years of demonstrable experience in the design and rating of crop insurance programmes in India, shall be an advantage;

(2) Prior experience of working with central and/or state governments/ national/ international/ public-private organisations/ on similar assignments, shall be preferred;

(3) Prior technical advisory services in the insurance sector.

(B) Skills and Competencies:

(a) Core Competencies:

(1) Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;

(2) Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the organization.

(b) Job Knowledge/ Technical Skills:

(1) In-depth knowledge of agriculture insurance, product design, indemnity-based insurance, and index-based insurance products, national policies and existing schemes, regulatory laws related to crop insurance, related concepts, policies, and practices;

(2) Must possess strong quantitative and actuarial skills (reserving, pricing) and good knowledge of insurance and reinsurance products and finance enterprise;

(3) Broad-based knowledge across cross-cutting thematic areas such as risk management, CCE, financial, legal and regulatory standards, procurement procedures, and environmental and social safeguards;

(4) Should have a sound knowledge of legislative, legal and regulatory structures in place with respect to crop insurance in India;

(5) Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet the responsibilities and requirements of the post with excellence.

(c) Communication Skills:

(1) Ability to carry out research and communicate strategic pieces that guide decisions on strategic program directions;

(2) Tailors and presents information to diverse audiences using a variety of communication delivery methods (e.g., written, electronic, oral, interpersonal) documentation;

(3) Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

(d) Management Skills:

(1) Demonstrated skills in working with multi-disciplinary teams;

(2) Ability to lead consultative meetings and provide training at the national and state levels with partners and senior stakeholders to identify priorities and manage the timely delivery of project activities;

(3) Reliable in delivering own parts of the work as part of a team effort;

(4) Demonstrates excellent work/ project planning skills;

(5) Open to change and ability to manage complex, ever-changing environments.

(e) Language Requirement

- Excellent oral and writing skills in English and Hindi.

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

The starting remuneration package budgeted for the position is INR 27,84,348/- per annum. The offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and salary history. (Note: The above remuneration excludes 8.33% pension, paid over and above the salary amount.)

6. LOCATION: New Delhi

7. APPOINTMENT: This is a full-time position. Contracts shall be initially offered for one year, extendable based on performance.

8. REFERENCE: NLAS-IDA