Investments Manager

Prudential’s purpose is to be partners for every life and protectors for every future. Our purpose encourages everything we do by creating a culture in which diversity is celebrated and inclusion assured, for our people, customers, and partners. We provide a platform for our people to do their best work and make an impact to the business, and we support our people’s career ambitions. We pledge to make Prudential a place where you can Connect, Grow, and Succeed.

The Investments Manager will support the Chief Financial Officer in developing investment strategies (benchmarked against Group standards) and managing the company's assets (policyholder and shareholder funds) to meet financial goals, conducting market research, monitoring portfolio performance, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The Manager will also prepare daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly reports on the performance of the investments and provide financial reporting support, provide business intelligence and MI across the business, at corporate, divisional, product and client level.

Job Profile

Business Unit:

Prudential Life Assurance Zambia (PLAZ)

Business Function:

Finance

Job Title:

Investments Manager

Job level:

PLAZ 4

Reports to:

Chief Financial Officer

Location:

Lusaka, Zambia

Job Purpose & Scope:

The Investments Manager will support the Chief Financial Officer in developing investment strategies (benchmarked against Group standards) and managing the company's assets (policyholder and shareholder funds) to meet financial goals, conducting market research, monitoring portfolio performance, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The Manager will also prepare daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly reports on the performance of the investments and provide financial reporting support, provide business intelligence and MI across the business, at corporate, divisional, product and client level.

The role will be responsible for following:

• Preparing weekly/ monthly/ quarterly PLAZ cashflow reports & analysis.
• Maintain all PLAZ related Investment Accounts and placement of new assets.
• Monitor both local and foreign markets (Bond, Equity, Forex, etc.) and economic fundamentals such as inflation and interest rates to assess factors that are likely to affect the investment portfolio. This is done through monthly preparation of Economic Snapshot and Investments Performance Report.
• Preparation of Asset and Liability Management Report.
• Financial management and control in compliance with PLAZ and Prudential Group policies and procedures.

Principal Accountabilities:

Accountability

Performance Standard

Portfolio management

        

Monitor both local and foreign markets (Bond, Equity, Forex, etc.) and economic fundamentals such as inflation and interest rates to assess factors that are likely to affect the investment portfolio and generate returns for policyholder funds.

Oversee and adjust investment portfolios, including selecting and managing a mix of assets like equity, bonds, and other securities.

Stay current on market trends, economic conditions, and industry regulations to proactively adjust investment strategies and capitalize on new opportunities.

Work with other departments, such as the Actuarial team, to ensure investment strategies are integrated into the company's broader financial plans

To ensure that the organization has sufficient funds to meet its short-term and long-term obligations, minimize financing costs, and maximize return on investment

This is done through monthly preparation of The Economic snapshot and supports the  IOC Report as well as other board and Investment reports.

Reporting

Good record-keeping

Daily Cashflow management

Preparation of Asset and Liability Management Report for PLAZ.

Preparation of Liability Risk and Approval Report (LRAP) for the ARH, LBU and Board.

Prepare Investment cash balance schedule and Investment forecast monthly (cashflow).

Regulatory compliance

Ensure all investment activities adhere to relevant regulations, fiduciary standards, and industry guidelines

Core Competences Required:

• A financial services background is essential (preferably working within a large banking, insurance or investment management organisation)
• Understanding of current and emerging regulatory frameworks relevant to the insurance industry
• Strong Investment and  financial reporting skills
• Ability to work with limited supervision and make judgement calls within the responsibilities of the role,
• Possess influencing skills, use those skills to deliver work and secure agreement to improve processes and practices
• Strong personal commitment
• Financial modelling and analysis skills

Experience, Knowledge & Skills

• Accounting/Finance Degree/CIMA /ACCA
• Applied experience in investment accounting and financial reporting
• Excellent IT skills and competent user of Sage 300, Excel, Power Point and MS Office suite
• Ability to think clearly and assess matters quickly and to solve problems on short notice
• Ability to positively influence the team within Finance and BU’s

 

Prudential is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equality of opportunity of benefits for all who apply and who perform work for our organisation irrespective of sex, race, age, ethnic origin, educational, social and cultural background, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, disability or part-time / fixed-term work, or any other status protected by applicable law. We encourage the same standards from our recruitment and third-party suppliers taking into account the context of grade, job and location. We also allow for reasonable adjustments to support people with individual physical or mental health requirements.