APA Life Assurance Company Ltd is seeking a Business Development Officer for Alternative Distribution Channels (SACCOs, MFIs & Aggregators). The incumbent will lead the design, launch, and implementation of the combined Alternative Distribution channel strategy covering SACCOs, MFIs, and Aggregators, with a clear roadmap for splitting the channel into standalone units as each attains critical mass.
Key Primary Responsibilities
- Lead the design, launch, and implementation of the combined Alternative Distribution channel strategy covering SACCOs, MFIs, and Aggregators, with a clear roadmap for splitting the channel into standalone units as each attains critical mass.
- Select, recruit, train, and retain a talented Business Development team (Sacco Assurance Executives and Aggregator Partnership support) through coaching and mentoring, building the bench strength required for the eventual channel split.
- Grow and lead the combined channel team into a high-performance, customer-centric culture in line with APA Life's strategic goals.
- Recruit, onboard, and train SACCOs, MFIs, and other alternative intermediaries to distribute Individual Life products, and maintain strong working relationships acting as the key liaison between Individual Life and partner institutions' management teams.
- Identify, negotiate, and implement strategic SACCO/MFI partnerships, driving client acquisition, marketing, embedded-insurance opportunities, and distribution.
- Identify, recruit, and onboard Aggregators (comparison platforms, fintechs, telcos, and other embedded-distribution partners) to distribute Individual Life products, and grow the Aggregator partner portfolio.
- Negotiate and manage Aggregator partnership agreements, commercial terms, and system/API integrations to enable embedded insurance solutions within partner platforms.
- Provide product and process training to Aggregator partner teams and monitor their sales performance, resolving service or integration issues promptly.
- Prepare and present proposals on embedding insurance solutions within Aggregator platforms, and implement initiatives to grow business through Aggregator direct and reseller channels.
- Coordinate training of all distribution points (SACCOs, MFIs, and Aggregators) on relevant products and channels.
- Champion quality assurance, customised partner engagement, productivity, and overall sales performance across all sub-channels to drive achievement of monthly and annual production targets.
- Conduct regular performance reviews with partners (SACCOs, MFIs, and Aggregators) to track progress against agreed KPIs and implement corrective actions.
- Monitor service delivery and operational turnaround times across the channel to ensure compliance with SLAs and service quality benchmarks.
- Identify and report on competitive trends, challenges, and market dynamics across all sub-channels, proposing interventions to defend and grow market share.
- Support business retention through initiatives to improve policy persistency and customer satisfaction, ensuring underwriting and service standards are maintained.
- Liaise with Marketing and Communications to design targeted campaigns to drive sales across SACCOs, MFIs, and Aggregator channels.
- Manage channel cost efficiencies and risk exposure to remain within agreed expense budgets.
- Collaborate closely with interfacing departments across the Group on market research, new products and processes for SACCOs, MFIs, and Aggregator partners, and identify cross-selling/up-selling opportunities.
- Ensure client, SACCO, MFI, and Aggregator complaints are addressed and resolved in a timely manner across the channel.
- Prepare and present weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual business reports against agreed KPIs on channel performance to management for decision-making.
- Prepare and follow up SLAs and RFPs for large networked intermediaries, Aggregators, and any other related business.
- Ensure compliance with APA policies, procedures, data protection, statutory guidelines, and internal control processes, and that recommended actions are diligently executed.
Academic Qualifications & Requirements
- A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Insurance, or a related field from a recognised institution.
- Professional qualifications in insurance (ACII, AIIK, LOMA, COP, or equivalent) required.
- At least 7-8 years' experience in Life insurance sales/business development, with a minimum of 4 years in a channel or partner management role.
- Demonstrated experience managing at least two of the following: SACCOs/MFIs, Bancassurance, or Aggregator/embedded-distribution partnerships.
- Proven track record leading and growing a sales team, including coaching and performance management.
- Experience negotiating and managing institutional or Aggregator partnership agreements.
- Understanding of embedded insurance, platform/API-based distribution, or fintech partnership models is an added advantage.
- Demonstrated ability to build a sales pipeline and lead business development initiatives across multiple partner types.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates can apply online via the APA Life Application Link or visit www.apainsurance.org.
