Insurance Officer

The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.

ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA and APEX), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.

At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.

For its Directorate of Administration at the Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is seeking an

Insurance Officer (50% Part-time)

The ESO Insurance Officer will have proven experience and a track record of independently managing and controlling an insurance portfolio and working closely with brokers, insurance providers, loss adjustors and the legal profession to ensure the most appropriate insurance cover is in place for ESO. ESO contracts international broker companies that provide unified services for all ESO sites (Germany and Chile) via bespoke multinational policies. The ESO Insurance Officer serves as the primary contact between the organisation and insurance providers ranging from property, transport and general liability to non-life and life insurances of ESO and will fully manage and coordinate these various insurance coverages in a stand-alone capacity.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• ESO contracts an insurance broker every five years to provide insurance brokerage services to ESO in the non-life insurances field - property, transport, construction and general liability. The Insurance Officer is responsible for the management (and procurement) of the contract with the broker:
• Ensure that the insurance coverage fulfils ESO's needs;
• Control the services provided by the broker including managing communication on all aspects of the insurance coverage;
• Control timely delivery of policies;
• Coordinate and attend site visits, and participate in insurance reviews.


• Provide advice and guidance to ESO staff, to its partners and collaborators on the available insurance coverages, coordinate claims management and liaise with other departments for the purchase and renewal of the insurance policies.
• Coordinate the life and non-life insurance policies to ensure that all persons working at or for ESO have the required insurance coverage, and provide advice to all users and units in that context.
• Take the lead in the creation and further development of an Insurance Strategy and Plan.
• The job holder will be expected to keep themselves informed about relevant changes within the organisation and external legislation to ensure that ESO is fully compliant.
• Make judgement and take decisions on insurance policies that best meet the needs of the organisation.
• The tasks are not limited to the above and a flexible approach and willingness to adapt are required.

Reports to:

Director of Administration

Experience:

• At least five years of experience in a similar role with responsibility held for insurances management, preferably in an international working environment.
• Strong background and knowledge of non-life and life insurance policies.
• Excellent knowledge of insurance principles, policies and practice of insurance cover and regulatory standards.

Key Competencies:

• Independent, result and service-oriented, and proactive - delivering prompt and efficient service on multiple concurrent insurance proposals under tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to convince others, discretion and diplomacy.
• Logical thinker with excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to research, analyse, make recommendations and present information in a clear manner.
• Ability to provide concise and timely oral and written communications to colleagues and with external contacts.
• The ability to review and respond accordingly to complex legal insurance documents in English.
• Adapt to new procedures and proactively identify and implement ways to optimise current processes.
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) is essential.

Qualifications:

The candidate should be educated to degree level and/or hold a relevant professional qualification in the financial or legal services industry, preferably with a focus on the insurance business.

Language skills:

The position requires an excellent command of the English language. Additional knowledge of German and/or Spanish would be an advantage.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (income-tax free), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and the possibility to place your child/children in day-care.

The part-time (50%) contract is for a fixed term duration of three years, and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There is a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit: http://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff.

Starting Date:

As soon as possible

Duty Station:

Garching near Munich, Germany (with annual visits to Chile).

Career Path: III/IV

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit (http://www.eso.org) for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV.

Closing date for applications is 15 June 2018

No nationality is in principle excluded however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race or religion.