Director of Information & Communication Technology at African Reinsurance Corporation

Following a recommendation of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re) was established on 24 February 1976 in Yaounde, Cameroon. An international Agreement was signed by the Plenipotentiaries of 36 member States of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the AfDB with the aim of reducing the outflow of foreign exchange from the continent by retaining a substantial proportion of the reinsurance premiums generated therein. That Agreement, known and referred to as the Agreement Establishing the African Reinsurance Corporation confers on Africa Re its current status as well as the legal authority to operate. As at today, Africa Re has 41 member States representing 38.75 % of the capital (end 2010) in addition to the AfDB, which is among the single largest shareholders with 8% of the capital (end 2010). The Agreement also empowers any member State to authorize a national institution, either a bank or an insurance company acting on its behalf, to purchase the shares reserved for the State. In order to allow its cedants to share the Corporation's fortune and participate more closely in its affairs, one-third of Africa Re's capital was opened up in 1992 to insurance companies with a majority indigenous shareholding. A good number of the companies have already subscribed and paid up for the shares allotted to them. To date, more than 100 insurance and reinsurance companies are shareholders of Africa Re with a 32.25 % combined stake (end 2010).

Responsibilities

• The primary responsibility of the Director of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) is to guarantee the provision of suitable, timely, and cost-efficient information and communication technology services that directly facilitate the accomplishment of the Corporation's mission, vision, and core values.
• Oversee effective provision and management of the information technology services and systems while ensuring that they are in line with the strategic objectives of the organization.
• Provide functional, technical, programmatic, and strategic leadership while coordinating resources and activities to ensure the delivery of innovative, cost-effective, and efficient IT services across the organization.
• Manage the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Department’s Triennial Work Plan (TWP), budget and implementation of initiatives to support the efficiency of the business operations across the organization.
• Continuously monitor ICT policies and programs, identify business needs, recommend innovations, and direct their planning and implementation while ensuring smooth coordination with all stakeholders.
• In furtherance of the benefits realization objectives, the ICT Director shall oversee the management of IT-enabled investments to ensure that they deliver maximum business benefits. This includes establishing and evaluating benefit realization outcomes and performance measures and regular reporting progress to key stakeholders (Board and Executive Management).
• Ensure the optimization of ICT resources including information, services, infrastructure and applications, and people, to support the achievement of the Corporation’s resource optimization objectives. This entails the effective allocation of ICT resources as well as assuring that they are streamlined for performance.
• Collaborate with the Department of Enterprise Risk Management and the Cybersecurity Strategic Leadership to ensure that computer systems and digital assets are adequately safeguarded by the system protection specialists and the frontline defenders. This essentially involves implementing and maintaining security mechanisms to ensure data safety.
• Assess technological developments that may enhance the provision of customer-specific services as well as ensuring that the IT Service Management (ITSM) processes are aligned with international best practices and standards.

Job Duties
Reporting to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Information and Communication Technology shall perform the following main duties amongst others:

• Evaluate, manage, direct, and coordinate information systems team on technical decisions and the development of innovative solutions to business problems.
• Prioritize and oversee the management of IT projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely and within-budget delivery. This entails identifying, and mitigating project risks to ensure successful implementation and integration.
• Advise on the human resources necessary to handle business needs in the area of information management and processing and provides on-the-job training for all staff under direct supervision.
• Ensure high confidentiality, integrity, availability, and scalability of technological systems in order to fulfill business needs.
• Ensure that appropriate ICT policies are put in place and implemented accordingly.
• Oversee the technological infrastructure in the organization and seek opportunities to leverage ICT to drive efficiency at the Corporation.
• Monitor changes or advancements in technology and recommend appropriate roadmap for digital transformation.
• Responsible for designing and customizing technological systems and platforms to improve the Corporation’s customers’ experience.
• Oversee the vendors’ ecosystem for ICT-related services and facilitate collaboration among multiple providers within a sourcing model that aligns with the business.
• Attend to any other duties as may be assigned by the Corporation’s management from time to time.

Requirements

• The minimum requirements outlined below are mandatory for consideration.
• Applicants must possess a First University Degree along with a Master's Degree in relevant fields, as well as a minimum of thirteen (13) years of post-qualification relevant and qualitative work experience in the position of experience of Director of Information and Communication Technology or an equivalent position (Chief Information Officer / Chief Technology Officer).
• Candidates are required to possess a minimum of eight (8) years of pertinent experience in the role of ICT Director within the insurance or reinsurance industry.
• Applicants must be registered with an Information Technology professional body with a minimum of eight (8) years post-registration experience.

Relevant professional experiences, evidenced by career progression and effective exposure (certification), in the following services/technologies are relevant to perform successfully at the offered position:

• Implementation/Management of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems: Oracle E-Business Suite Applications and a Reinsurance Administration Software like SICS.
• Exposure in the implementation of Electronic Content Management (ECM), Document and Records Management (EDRMS)
• Relational Database Concepts and optimization (Oracle, SQL, etc.)
• Relevant experience in the implementation of ISO 20000 (international standard for IT Service Management) or 27001 (international standard for information security management systems)
• Management of ICT team in a multicultural and bilingual environment
• Knowledge and experience in enterprise IT Governance (IT Frameworks, Strategic Management, Benefits Realization, Risk and Resource Optimization)
• Application modernization and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)
• Borderless or Next Generation Enterprise Architecture and Network infrastructure
• Virtualization (Server/Desktop) and Cloud Computing.
• IT Procurement and a demonstrated track record in overseeing multiple ICT systems/assets spread across different regions or sites.
• The successful candidate must be a citizen of one of the Member States of African Reinsurance Corporation and the following qualities shall also be an asset:
  • Bilingualism (French and English) is a competitive advantage
  • Technical Capability.
  • Business Acumen (Experience in Insurance & Reinsurance industry)
  • Leadership and Emotional intelligence.

Others:

• The Director of ICT should be a dynamic and knowledgeable professional with experience in strategic planning, project management, system implementation and IT Service Management Standards or Frameworks.
• This role will play a crucial part in developing, optimizing, and executing the Corporation’s technology strategy to support business objectives and enhance operational efficiency. Therefore, the ideal candidate should possess exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills and experience managing complex IT projects and teams.
• Process-oriented mindset with a proven track record of implementing and optimizing IT processes and workflows.
• Demonstrated leadership, team building and managerial skills, including experience leading global teams.
• Ability to handle high pressure situations and prioritize multiple projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
• Experience in coaching, mentoring and motivating service delivery staff to increase service, staff performance, and end-user satisfaction.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Strong understanding of IT governance, risk management, and relevant regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Professional Certifications such as ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) Framework, ISO 20000, Cloud technology and storage are highly desirable.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development in the field of leadership and IT service management.
• Demonstrated high Integrity and good sense of responsibility as well as the ability to work under pressure in a very busy environment.
• Ability to listen and collaborate with other managers to identify, interpret, and solve problems and develop long-term strategies.
• Sound understanding of insurance/reinsurance management systems or applications as well as proven experience in implementation and evaluation of IT systems.

Salary and Benefits
The successful candidate shall have the following benefits:

• Competitive Basic Salary
• Variable pay (Short Term and Long-Term Incentives)
• Joint contribution to the Provident Fund (7% of the basic salary paid by staff and 14% by the employer)
• Housing Allowance
• Medical cover for staff and family
• Home leave to country of origin every year paid by the employer, if non-national.
• Children education subsidy for each child up to 26 years (maximum 4 children)
• Duty Post Differential (Cost of Living Allowance), that may increase or decrease depending on the economic situation and result of surveys

Method of Application