Willis Towers Watson - Flood Specialist/Flood Peril Expert - Model Research & Evaluation Team

Flood specialist

Role

We are looking for a Flood Peril Expert to join our Model Research and Evaluation (MR&E) team in our Mumbai office. Catastrophe modelling plays a key role in the reinsurance industry helping determine the capital and ultimately reinsurance requirements of (re)insurance companies. The models used in the industry are imperfect, and it is very important to understand their weaknesses, as well as develop adjustments to correct their more significant biases. The role of model research and evaluation is expanding, as more data becomes available, more models are built, regulation makes stricter demands on model users and generally the sophistication of model users increases. The individual we are seeking would be involved in all stages of model research and evaluation from studying the models, to adjusting biases and producing evaluation reports and documentation.

Core Responsibilities

- Interpreting and evaluating catastrophe risk models related to the Flood peril. This duty involves an in-depth understanding of different catastrophe model components (hazard, vulnerability, loss estimation), for both commercial and in-house software

- Designing, planning and carrying out model sensitivity analyses for different territories (world-wide coverage)

- Ensuring a rapid response for model version change tests and interpretation, as a basis for client-specific model change management work carried out in the commercial application areas

- Leveraging academic/scientific researches for model interpretation/adjustment

- Processing and analysing flood-specific datasets (e.g. terrain data, river gauge data)

- Working in close contact with the London team to deliver risk management services to clients

- Collaborating in the standardisation of model evaluation frameworks

- Dealing with offices and teams world-wide (participation at occasional business-travels may be required)

- Writing reports and preparing presentations

- The role may also include development of in-house models

Junior position requirements

- Masters degree in Hydrology, Hydraulics, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Sciences or other closely related fields

- Excellent oral and written skills in English

- Strong mathematical and analytical skills - the candidate should be able to demonstrate where they have successfully analysed complex problems either in their past work or during their education

- High level of competence with MS Office packages(MS Excel, MS Word, MS Power Point)

- Experience with R, SQL and/or ArcGIS

Senior position requirements

- PhD in Hydrology/Hydraulics, or Masters degree in a flood-related field with 1+ years of related work experience

- Experience in catastrophe model development and evaluation

- Direct user experience in at least one of the main catastrophe modelling software: RMS or AIR

- Excellent oral and written skills in English

- High level of competence with MS Office packages (MS Excel, MS Word, MS Power Point)

- Strong mathematical and statistical skills, and experience with R and SQL

- High level of competence in ArcGIS