Job Vacancies at APA Life Assurance Company Ltd at APA Life Assurance Company Ltd

Job Vacancies at APA Life Assurance Company Ltd at APA Life Assurance Company Ltd | Iko Kazi

KEY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Portfolio Management & Investment Strategy

Evaluate and monitor portfolio performance to ensure consistency across clients with broadly similar mandates, while actively seeking to outperform agreed return benchmarks.
Identify and execute appropriate asset allocation strategies across equities, fixed income, money markets, and alternative asset classes, with due regard to risk management and regulatory compliance.
Develop, review, and manage client assets strictly in accordance with individual investment mandates, liaising with the back office and external service providers on portfolio accuracy, amendments, and reconciliations.
Ensure all portfolio decisions are consistent with the investment committee's approved strategy and AAMC's risk framework.

Research, Analysis & Investment Committee

Lead the team in conducting rigorous research and analysis on companies, sectors, and macroeconomic trends, incorporating both internal findings and reputable third-party research.
Participate in and summarise management earnings call reviews, particularly for stocks held in client portfolios, and share key insights with management and the investment committee.

Client Reporting & Thought Leadership

Lead the team in delivering timely and accurate client reporting, including monthly fact sheets for unit trust fund mandates, periodic third-party reports, and ad hoc performance updates.
Produce high-quality thematic investment notes and thought leadership content targeting current and prospective clients, reinforcing AAMC's positioning as a trusted investment partner.
Demonstrate proactivity in client service by providing timely investment advice, statements, and query resolution, with a view to enhancing client retention and deepening relationships.

Compliance, Governance & Broker Management

Lead the team in conducting due diligence on brokers, banks, and other service providers, recommending a bank panel and respective counterparty limits to the investment committee.
Review and monitor the dealer's transactions with brokers and banks, reporting on their alignment to the overall investment strategy and compliance with established limits.
Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements set by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), and other applicable bodies.
Uphold fiduciary duty to clients at all times and adhere to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, or equivalent ethical framework.

Business Development & Marketing

Collaborate with and support the business development team in meeting overall business objectives, including marketing initiatives, responding to tenders, sourcing new business, and contributing to product development.
Actively participate in client acquisition efforts, representing AAMC professionally in client meetings, industry forums, and investment conferences.

Leadership & governance responsibilities

Supervise, mentor, and appraise subordinate staff including Research Analysts and the Dealer, assigning duties and maintaining high standards of output.
Evaluate staff performance and provide timely, constructive feedback during appraisal cycles, supporting the professional development of the team.
Actively contribute to Investment Advisory Committee decisions by providing insights derived from considered research and analysis.
Foster a high-performance, client-centric team culture that aligns individual strengths with AAMC's investment objectives.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Portfolio returns versus agreed client benchmarks.
Client retention rate and net AUM growth.
Timeliness and quality of client reporting deliverables.
Investment committee satisfaction and implementation rate of approved resolutions.
Compliance record zero material regulatory breaches.
Team development, staff appraisal completion and professional development milestones.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree (minimum Second Class Honours) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
A Master's degree (MBA, MSc Finance, or equivalent) is an added advantage.

JOB SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

Technical Skills

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for financial modelling, scenario analysis, and performance attribution.
Familiarity with portfolio management systems.
Sound understanding of portfolio risk analytics, attribution analysis, and performance measurement methodologies.

Soft Skills & Attributes

Exceptional communication and presentation skills able to articulate complex investment insights clearly to diverse audiences ranging from retail clients to institutional trustees and board members.
Strong leadership presence, capable of transmitting energy, purpose, and a 'can-do' attitude through the team, aligning team strengths for maximum efficiency.
Keen attention to detail, with a track record of producing high-quality investment notes, client fact sheets, and RFP responses.
Intellectual curiosity and strong research capabilities, with a demonstrated drive to explore investment opportunities across the full capital structure.
Sound ethical judgement and commitment to fiduciary standards, with the ability to navigate conflicts of interest appropriately.
Ability to thrive under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic investment environment.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

CFA Charter holder status is strongly preferred; candidates at CFA Level II or III will be considered if they demonstrate exceptional experience and a clear commitment to completing the charter.
CPA II / ACCA II or equivalent professional qualifications in accounting or financial analysis will be considered as a complement to investment experience.

EXPERIENCE

A minimum of 5–7 years of relevant experience in investment management on the buy side, covering a broad range of asset classes including equities, fixed income, money markets, and unit trusts.
Demonstrable experience managing third-party investment mandates and interacting with institutional clients such as pension funds, insurance companies, or corporate treasuries.
Familiarity with the Kenyan and East African capital markets is essential; experience with the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and related regulatory frameworks is strongly preferred.

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KEY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Research & Market Intelligence

Monitor macroeconomic trends, market developments, and corporate actions of listed and unlisted companies across the investment universe.
Forecast short- and long-term macroeconomic indicators (GDP, inflation, interest rates, exchange rates), industry dynamics, and company-specific financial metrics with clearly articulated performance drivers.
Gather and synthesise market intelligence from primary and secondary sources to support client fund management decisions.
Review earnings releases, financial statements, and regulatory disclosures; attend analyst briefings and company management meetings.

Financial Modelling & Valuation

Build, maintain, and stress-test detailed valuation models (DCF, DDM, relative valuation, credit models) for equity and fixed-income instruments.
Assess the sensitivity of valuations to changes in key assumptions and macro drivers; communicate findings clearly to the Portfolio Manager and Investment Committee.
Conduct credit risk assessments for fixed-income instruments, including analysis of issuer financials, covenant structures, and default risk.

Investment Recommendations & Portfolio Support

Produce well-reasoned investment recommendations across equities, fixed income, private equity, offshore, and alternative asset classes for presentation to the Investment Committee.
Contribute to asset allocation strategy by developing model portfolio recommendations aligned with client mandates and risk parameters.
Monitor existing portfolio holdings and flag material developments that may necessitate position review.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

Develop and maintain professional relationships with stockbrokers, sell-side analysts, company management teams, and other market participants.
Prepare and present research reports, investment notes, and client-facing materials to a high standard of clarity and accuracy.
Support periodic client reporting on fund performance, attribution, and market commentary.
Provide fund administration support on an ad-hoc basis and perform any other duties as assigned.