​EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OF SOUTH AFRICA SOC LIMITED (ECIC)

 

Image description
Image description

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADUATE TRAINEE – INVESTMENTS UNIT

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overarching objective of the graduate program is to transition graduates from a higher learning institution to a work environment. We aim to help graduates become well rounded young professionals with great prospects and a positive future.

 

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

As a graduate within the Investments Unit, you will :

  • Prepare monthly reconciliation of transactions and holdings between custodian reports and asset managers;
  • Prepare monthly investment journals,
  • Assist with FSB returns reporting and Financial statement disclosure;
  • Assist in compiling monthly and quarterly investment reports;
  • Assist in preparing materials for the Committees ;
  • Assist with research on investment related matter
  • Assist with building excel models;
  • Filling of investment related documents;
  • Any adhoc projects assigned by the Investment Manager;

 

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

  • University degree Bcom/Bsc (Financial Management, Accounting, Investment management, management accounting, Mathematics, Statistics)
  • Must be a South African Citizen
  • ECIC welcomes applications from persons with disabilities (Must provide a medical certificate confirming nature of the disability).

 

QUALITIES WE LOOK FOR

  • Analytical skills;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Problem solving skills;
  • Able to work under pressure;
  • Must be able to use own initiative;
  • Must be able to prioritise own tasks effectively;
  • Must be able to provide innovative solutions when presented with applicable problem areas;
  • Ability to work within and contribute to a team environment;
  • Available to work more than ordinary business hours.

 

 

APPLICATIONS

Closing Date: Friday, 12th June 2026

 

NOTE: It is ECIC’s intention to promote equity through the filling of posts, according to the Corporation’s Employment Equity targets.

 

Data Protection

Personal information collected and processed for purposes of recruitment will be protected from unauthorised access and improper use or disclosure.

 

Declaration and Informed Consent

By submitting your application for the advertised role, you give ECIC permission to process your personal information and you acknowledge that you understand the purpose for which it is required and for which it will be used. Furthermore, you declare that all personal information supplied to the ECIC for the purposes of recruitment is accurate, up to date, not misleading and that it is complete in all respects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEAD: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UNIT

 

PURPOSE OF THIS ROLE

The purpose of this role is to generate deal flow and build a robust pipeline of prospective transactions for underwriting across various sectors. The incumbent of this role will also be responsible to coach & mentor junior staff. This role is instrumental in ensuring that new transactions align with ECIC’s mandate, risk appetite and strategic objectives.

 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES, MEASURES & INTERFACES

The incumbent will among other things be responsible for the following:

  • Develop and execute strategic business development plans aligned to the Corporation’s growth objectives
  • Develop and sustain a robust pipeline of good quality projects/transactions through proactive origination/business development;
  • Comprehensively map industry or sector opportunities in order to generate a list of prospects;
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients global, regional and local private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop specific underwriting opportunities;
  • Work closely with the underwriting team to find innovative solutions to address client transactional needs and support;
  • Collaborate with internal teams to design, develop, and refine ECIC products and services;
  • Liaise with the medium to long term underwriting and short term insurance trade teams to ensure seamless handover and continuous oversight of transactions post applications.
  • Conduct market research for appropriate business opportunities that would match ECIC products and eligibility requirements;
  • Play a proactive facilitation role to match the business opportunities to the relevant clients in order to unlock potential deal flow for ECIC;
  • Pursue various business initiatives to increase the ECIC client base in various market segments and geographies;
  • Contribute to internal and external knowledge sharing platforms, providing specialist input in areas of expertise and be a champion in fostering a culture of client centricity.
  • Provide leadership and management to the direct reports to ensure that they execute their roles in a manner that is aligned to the implementation of the corporate strategic plan, annual performance plan and the achievement of the balanced scorecard;
  • Ensure that there are sufficient execution capabilities within the Business Development unit;
  • In collaboration with other business units, establish, execute and manage the distribution channels of ECIC products;
  • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders such as partner banks and development finance institutions, export councils and industry associations etc.,
  • Manage the end-to-end sales process, from lead generation to deal closure.
  • Champion the adoption of innovative digital solutions, such as online portals and automated processing systems, to enhance customer experience and improve operational efficiency.
  • Prepare regular reports on business development activities, including business development performance, market trends, and potential growth areas.
  • Present business development strategies and progress updates to the Executive Committee and Board Committees.
  • Represent ECIC at industry forums and networking events.
  • Develop and manage business unit budgets and financial forecasts.
  • Carry out any other roles assigned by executive management.

Key Measures

  • Increased pipeline and deal flow for ECIC;
  • Increased repetitive business from the existing clients;
  • Increase the overall client base and generate new clients;
  • Assist ECIC expand and diversify its portfolio in other geographies outside of the SADC region;
  • Be a champion of client centricity within the Corporation
  • Team performance and retention

Key Interfaces

  • EXCO
  • ECIC business unit heads and staff
  • Internal stakeholders which will include the Board
  • External stakeholders and clients (government, export councils and industry associations, partner banks and development finance institutions, other ECAs etc.)

 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

  • A minimum of an Honours level degree with specialisation in commercial or technical discipline including but not limited to Economics, Accountancy, Finance, Banking, Science, Law or Engineering. Economics;
  • A postgraduate qualification preferably a CA or CFA or MBA or Marketing would be advantageous;
  • A minimum of 8 years’ transactional experience in deal origination and deal structuring, in the financial services sector with a proven track record of deal origination and business development;
  • Knowledge of the business of Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) is an added advantage.

 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Genuine commitment to highest ethical standards and to sustainable development with particular sensitivity to social and environmental issues.
  • Strong business development and client relationship skills, and the ability to focus on client needs effectively;
  • Demonstrated excellence in the field of business development;
  • Strong credit and risk analysis skills;
  • Must be able to analyse financial statements, screen and select the relevant deals;
  • Must be familiar with, and have the ability to negotiate and evaluate complex financial transactions;
  • Ability to communicate verbally and in writing at all levels ( Minister, Board, Executives, Staff and other key Stakeholders);
  • Ability to coordinate and manage multiple functions;
  • Ability to communicate underwriting concepts to non-specialists
  • Ability to forge relationships with other areas of the business;
  • Strong aptitude for problem resolution and decision making;
  • Problem solving skills to identify issues and present creative and practical solutions;
  • Excellent analytical skills;
  • Strict attention to detail and deadline orientated;
  • Strong leadership skills required to manage the business development function.

 

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

The incumbent is required to have the following leadership competencies:

Management of relationships and sensitivities.

  • Empowerment and Teamwork – works cooperatively with others to ensure the success of the team and the individual team members; develop others.
  • Verbal Communication – effectively transfer thoughts and expresses ideas, thoughts and concepts.
  • Decision Making – makes timely and effective decisions; takes initiative, makes clear decisions on basis of risk analysis, takes accountability for decisions and actions.
  • Leading – provides clear direction and empowers others to deliver.
  • Impact and Influence – uses persuasion and influence to achieve commitment or support from others.
  • Ethical Behaviour – acts consistently with honesty and integrity and in accordance with the standards for right conduct.
  • A resolute individual who leads by example and leads from the front.
  • A leader with stature, presence and unquestionable market credibility.
  • A decisive and insightful individual, who is results-driven and has strategic and organizational agility.

 

 

APPLICATIONS

 

Closing Date: Friday, 12 June 2026

 

NOTE: It is ECIC’s intention to promote equity through the filling of posts, according to the set Employment Equity targets.

 

Data Protection

Personal information collected and processed for purposes of recruitment will be protected from unauthorised access and improper use or disclosure.

 

Declaration and Informed Consent

By submitting your application for the advertised role, you give ECIC permission to process your personal information and you acknowledge that you understand the purpose for which it is required and for which it will be used. Furthermore, you declare that all personal information supplied to the ECIC for the purposes of recruitment is accurate, up to date, not misleading and that it is complete in all respects.

 

APPLICATIONS

Closing Date: Friday, 12 June 2026

 

NOTE: It is ECIC’s intention to promote equity through the filling of posts, according to the set Employment Equity targets.

 

Data Protection

Personal information collected and processed for purposes of recruitment will be protected from unauthorised access and improper use or disclosure.

 

Declaration and Informed Consent

By submitting your application for the advertised role, you give ECIC permission to process your personal information and you acknowledge that you understand the purpose for which it is required and for which it will be used. Furthermore, you declare that all personal information supplied to the ECIC for the purposes of recruitment is accurate, up to date, not misleading and that it is complete in all respects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS SPECIALIST (QUANTITATIVE)

 

PURPOSE OF THIS ROLE

This role is the quantitative engine of the Investments unit, providing the analytical foundation for portfolio management guidelines, manager analytics, performance attribution, and investment tool development. Operating at a senior specialist level of institutional investment experience, the incumbent takes full ownership of the Corporation's quantitative framework — from model design and alpha profiling to scenario analysis and benchmark review.

In addition to the analytical mandate, the role carries direct responsibility for investment reconciliation and serves as the primary Investments unit liaison for internal and external auditors, ensuring that all quantitative processes, data flows, and controls meet audit standards and are documented to an evidence-ready standard. The role involves not only the development and maintenance of robust systems to support these critical functions but also acting as the primary liaison between the investment unit and the Corporation’s back and middle offices.

The role works in close collaboration with the Investment Specialist (Research) to integrate quantitative rigour into manager selection and portfolio construction decisions, and actively contributes to building the investment capability of the junior team through deliberate, structured knowledge transfer. It involves not only the development and maintenance of robust systems to support these critical functions but also acting as the primary liaison between the investment unit and the Corporation’s back and middle offices.

 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES, MEASURES & INTERFACES

Portfolio Management Guidelines

  • Develop, maintain, and periodically review the Portfolio Management Guidelines (PMGs) for each asset class and fund manager mandate, ensuring alignment with the Investment Policy Statement (IPS), regulatory requirements, and the Corporation's portfolio construction objectives.
  • Coordinate PMG updates with the Head of Investments and prepare supporting documentation and quantitative rationale for FIIC approval.
  • Monitor adherence to PMGs on an ongoing basis and escalate deviations or emerging issues to the Head of Investments.

 

Manager Alpha Profiling & Analytics

  • Develop and maintain a structured manager alpha profile for each externally appointed fund manager, covering return decomposition, factor exposures, alpha consistency, active share, and peer comparison.
  • Compile and maintain comprehensive manager return and risk databases, ensuring data integrity, consistency, and timeliness across all mandates.
  • Conduct quantitative due diligence on fund managers, including style analysis, factor attribution, drawdown analytics, volatility decomposition, and peer benchmarking.
  • Provide the Investment Specialist (Research) with quantitative inputs to complement qualitative manager assessments, including scoring models and comparative analytics.

 

Performance Measurement & Attribution

  • Own the performance measurement methodology for the Corporation's investment portfolios, including return calculation standards, composite construction, and attribution frameworks.
  • Conduct performance attribution analysis at portfolio, asset class, and manager level, identifying key drivers of return and risk relative to benchmarks.
  • Review and maintain benchmark definitions, target returns, and performance hurdles in line with IPS objectives; support any benchmark change proposals with quantitative analysis.
  • Produce performance commentary and attribution reports for the Investment Committee, FIIC, EXCO, and Board, presenting findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences alike.

 

Quantitative Model Development & Tool Building

  • Design, develop, and maintain quantitative models and investment tools to support portfolio analytics, return attribution, risk measurement, scenario modelling, and asset allocation analysis.
  • Build and maintain a suite of return calculation and analysis tools, automating data workflows to improve accuracy, efficiency, and scalability across the investment unit.
  • Develop and maintain a factor model and risk analytics toolkit, including tracking error, value-at-risk (VaR), drawdown analysis, correlation matrices, and concentration metrics.
  • Continuously improve the unit's quantitative toolkit, incorporating new techniques, data sources, and automation capabilities (Python, R, Excel VBA, or equivalent).

 

Portfolio Construction & Risk Analytics

  • Support the Head of Investments in portfolio construction decisions by providing quantitative analysis of asset allocation, risk budgeting, mandate structuring, and diversification.
  • Conduct scenario and stress-testing analyses to assess the impact of market events, mandate changes, or rebalancing decisions on portfolio risk and return.
  • Provide quantitative input into the annual IPS review, including analysis of strategic asset allocation, return objectives, and risk tolerances.
  • Monitor portfolio-level risk metrics on an ongoing basis and report material changes or threshold breaches to the Head of Investments.

 

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Prepare and present quantitative investment analyses, performance reports, and portfolio analytics for the Head of Investments, FIIC, EXCO, and Board.
  • Deliver clear, well-structured presentations of complex quantitative findings to non-technical stakeholders, translating data into narrative and actionable insight.
  • Support the preparation of Investment Day materials, Board packs, and FIIC submissions with high-quality quantitative analysis and commentary.
  • Provide quantitative support to the Investment Analyst for cross-functional reporting to Finance, Risk, and Actuarial where applicable.

 

Knowledge Transfer & Capability Building

  • Actively share quantitative methods, tools, frameworks, and institutional knowledge with the Junior Investment Analyst in a structured and deliberate manner, supporting her development toward a full Investment Analyst designation.
  • Review quantitative work produced by the Junior Analyst and provide constructive, technically grounded feedback.
  • Contribute to a culture of analytical rigour and continuous learning within the Investments unit.

 

Reconciliation & Data Integrity

  • Perform monthly reconciliation of investment transactions and asset valuations across the Corporation's portfolios, liaising with the custodian and fund managers to identify and resolve discrepancies on a timely basis.
  • Oversee the reconciliation of records between fund managers and the custodian, ensuring alignment in positions, valuations, and income at month-end.
  • Maintain the integrity and consistency of investment data used across quantitative models, performance reports, and analytical tools, acting as the quality control layer for all investment data flows entering the unit's systems.
  • Coordinate with Finance and the back office to resolve posting and valuation differences, ensuring that reconciled data is signed off and available within agreed monthly deadlines.

 

Audit Liaison & Governance

  • Serve as the primary Investments unit liaison for both internal and external auditors during interim and year-end audits, providing documented processes, reconciliation evidence packs, model walk-throughs, and data trails as required.
  • Resolve audit queries relating to investment data, reconciliation, performance measurement, and quantitative models, and track findings through to closure.
  • Maintain clear, auditable documentation for all models, tools, reconciliation processes, and data workflows owned by this role, ensuring they are evidence-ready at all times.
  • Proactively identify control gaps or process weaknesses in the investment unit's quantitative and operational functions and propose remediation to the Head of Investments.
  • Provide documented quantitative methodologies and supporting analysis to support the Corporation's broader governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
  • Undertake any additional projects assigned by the Head of Investments.

 

Process Improvement & Innovation

  • Lead the identification and implementation of opportunities to automate, enhance, or replace existing analytical and reconciliation processes.
  • Stay current with developments in quantitative finance, factor investing, and data science techniques relevant to multi-manager investment management.
  • Introduce new methodologies and frameworks that advance the unit's analytical capabilities and investment outcomes.

 

Data Analysis

  • Statistical Analysis: Conduct rigorous statistical analysis of large datasets, utilizing cutting-edge tools and techniques to extract actionable insights.
  • Innovation and Market Awareness: Stay updated on the latest quantitative methods and financial market developments, contributing to the continuous innovation of investment approaches.
  • Transaction Reconciliation: Perform monthly reconciliation of investment transactions and asset valuations to ensure data integrity.
  • Fund Manager Monitoring: Regularly monitor and assess fund manager performance, exposures, and associated risks within the investment portfolio.

 

Monitoring & Reporting

  • Investment Reporting: Prepare and interpret monthly and quarterly investment reports, covering asset manager and portfolio returns, benchmark comparisons, performance attribution, portfolio composition summaries, and accompanying commentary.
  • Cross-Functional Reporting: Support other units within the Corporation, such as finance, risk, and actuarial, by preparing and interpreting various monthly and quarterly reports.
  • Reconciliation Management: Oversee the reconciliation of records between fund managers and custodians, ensuring alignment and accuracy.
  • Ad Hoc Projects: Undertake any additional projects as assigned by the Head of Investments.
  • Convene and prepare the pack for the Monthly Investment Review meeting.
  • Transaction Reconciliation: Perform monthly reconciliation of investment transactions and asset valuations to ensure data integrity.
  • Fund Manager Monitoring: Regularly monitor and assess fund manager performance, exposures, and associated risks within the investment portfolio.

 

Key Measures

  • Quality, currency, and completeness of Portfolio Management Guidelines across all mandates.
  • Depth and accuracy of manager alpha profiles and the return/risk database.
  • Robustness, automation, and usability of quantitative models and tools
  • Quality and clarity of performance attribution reports presented to FIIC and Board.
  • Completeness and timeliness of monthly reconciliations, with breaks resolved within agreed deadlines.
  • Audit readiness: clean, well-documented processes with all queries resolved to closure.
  • Effectiveness of collaboration with the Investment Specialist (Research).
  • Demonstrated knowledge transfer outcomes for the Junior Investment Analyst.
  • Timeliness and accuracy of all quantitative and operational deliverables
  • Quality Reporting: Produce high-quality, accurate, and timely investment reports that meet stakeholder needs.
  • System Robustness: Maintain up-to-date, robust, and automated systems that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the role.
  • Effective Liaison: Foster efficient communication and collaboration between the investment unit and the Corporation’s back and middle offices.
  • Custodian Relationship Management: Effectively manage relationships with custodians, ensuring smooth operations and alignment with the Corporation’s investment goals.

 

Key Interfaces

  • Head: Investments - primary reporting line and strategic direction.
  • Junior Investment Analyst - mentoring, collaboration, and knowledge transfer.
  • Investment Specialist (Research) - cross-functional analytical collaboration.
  • Internal and External Auditors - primary Investments unit liaison; evidence, walk-throughs, and query resolution.
  • Custodian Bank - reconciliation of positions, valuations, and income at month-end.
  • External Fund Managers - quantitative due diligence, reconciliation, and ongoing analytics.
  • Finance Unit - reconciliation sign-off, IFRS investment data, and GL alignment.
  • Risk Unit - portfolio risk analytics and mandate compliance reporting.
  • Actuarial Unit - investment data and asset-liability analysis support.
  • Investment Consultant - collaborative analysis and strategy alignment.
  • FIIC, EXCO, and Board - reporting and presentations.
  • Data vendors: Regularly liaise with data vendors on licensing requirements to ensure that ECIC’s data needs are sufficiently catered for

 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Economics, or a related quantitative discipline. Honours or postgraduate qualification is strongly preferred.

Professional Experience: Minimum of 7 years of experience in institutional investment management, with demonstrated expertise in quantitative analysis, performance measurement, and multi-manager portfolio analytics. Quantitative Tool Development: Proven track record in building quantitative models and investment tools; proficiency in Python, R, or MATLAB is required at this level.

Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in using Bloomberg as a reporting and analysis tool is essential.

Certifications: Holding a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), CIPM (Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement), or a similar professional qualification is highly advantageous.

Multi-Manager Experience: Demonstrated experience in a multi-manager investment environment, with exposure to manager due diligence, alpha profiling, and portfolio construction analytics, is highly advantageous.

Quantitative Tool Development: Proven track record in building quantitative models and investment tools; proficiency in Python, R, or MATLAB is required at this level.

Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial markets, investment instruments, and strategies, with the ability to apply this knowledge to drive investment decisions.

Regulatory Awareness: Familiarity with South African investment regulatory frameworks (SARB, FSCA, SAM) is advantageous.

 

APPLICATIONS

Closing Date: Friday, 12 June 2026

 

NOTE: It is ECIC’s intention to promote equity through the filling of posts, according to the set Employment Equity targets.

 

Data Protection

Personal information collected and processed for purposes of recruitment will be protected from unauthorised access and improper use or disclosure.

 

Declaration and Informed Consent

By submitting your application for the advertised role, you give ECIC permission to process your personal information and you acknowledge that you understand the purpose for which it is required and for which it will be used. Furthermore, you declare that all personal information supplied to the ECIC for the purposes of recruitment is accurate, up to date, not misleading and that it is complete in all respects.