SECRETARY TO CLIMATEWISE 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Background

ClimateWise is a major initiative by the insurance industry to tackle climate change.  Each signatory is committed to taking action on climate change and to reporting publicly on its own performance.

ClimateWise is seeking to appoint a Secretary whose role will be to support each signatory and facilitate the growth of the initiative to companies around the world. 

The Secretary will report to the ClimateWise Chairman, currently Peter Hubbard, CEO of AXA Insurance UK.

The Secretary will also be mentored by Nick Starling, Director of General Insurance and Health at the ABI.

Job Purpose

• Facilitate the growth and continued strength of the ClimateWise initiative
• Ensure signatories understand and deliver on their responsibilities
• Manage efficiently ClimateWise committee arrangements and accounts.

Principal Responsibilities

• Arrangements for annual review of signatories’ compliance with ClimateWise
• Liaison with signatories
• Promotion of ClimateWise to potential signatories
• Support for Chairman
• Secretary to Managing and Communications Committees
• Publicity for signatories’ achievements under the ClimateWise banner
• Financial management of ClimateWise budget
• First point of contact with ClimateWise for press and membership enquiries

Skills and Experience 

Strategic thinking: the Secretary must understand and respond to the political and economic environment within which ClimateWise signatories are operating so that the initiative remains relevant and delivers meaningful change. 

Project Management: the Secretary’s is the sole full time role associated with ClimateWise, so the successful candidate will need to identify and act upon ideas to support the initiative’s growth and good management without constant supervision.  This will require the establishment of a clear framework of agreed objectives and a managed process to ensure their timely delivery.

Communication: the successful candidate will be able to operate with discretion within a commercial environment, handling information from individual signatories in confidence and yet ensuring that emerging successes and concerns are appropriately incorporated into the running and review of the initiative.  Some press and media work may be required, either directly or in support of the Chairman.

Prioritisation and organisation: the Secretary is responsible for the smooth running of all meetings and events associated with ClimateWise.  The successful candidate will be able to prioritise work effectively and identify future pressures in good time.

Awareness of climate change and its impact: the Secretary will need to demonstrate an understanding of climate change and its projected impacts over the coming years.

Understanding the role of insurance in the global economy: the successful candidate will understand the insurance market and be able to respond to signatories’ concerns appropriately.

Points to note

• The Secretary will be based at the ABI’s offices at 51 Gresham Street, London but the role will be fully independent of the ABI.
• A competitive salary package will be associated with this post, incorporating pension contributions.

How to apply

Please send a letter, preferably by email, outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience with a copy of your CV to  Climatewise@abi.org.uk.  Alternatively by mail to:

18 February 2008