Natural Hazards & Climate Change Consultant

Job Description: Natural Hazards & Climate Change Consultant

Wrocław, Poland

As a Natural Hazards & Climate Change Consultant with core expertise in flood risk, your mission is to operate with autonomy within your area of responsibility, supporting the Underwriting team and AXA XL clients in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks. You will provide developed expertise and support to property underwriting and risk engineering teams on natural catastrophe topics, with a specific focus on water-related risks. Your responsibilities will include developing and managing loss estimates for individual and portfolio risks according to established procedures, as well as contributing to the enhancement of existing processes and tools within your scope. You will also contribute to the delivery of consulting services and to the continuous improvement of our risk consulting methodologies and offerings.

You will join the Risk Consulting “NatCat, Geospatial and Data Science” team, a global, multicultural group of about 20 risk experts based across six countries. Reporting to the Head of Risk Consulting, the team serves all Lines of Business and Regions, analyzing various aspects of natural disasters and climate change while developing innovative solutions for insurers and clients.

What you’ll be DOING

What will your essential responsibilities include?

Main responsibilities (about 70-80% of time) will include:

• Working closely with AXA XL account engineers and underwriters, contributing to various aspects of the natural hazards risk quantification process.
• Conducting loss estimation using established models, tools and methodologies, under appropriate guidance, with focus on flood risks (riverine, pluvial, and coastal).

Additionally, you will contribute to**:**

• Conducting research and maintaining developed, up-to-date knowledge on NatCat and Climate Change topics relevant to your assigned tasks.
• Developing of innovative risk modelling tools and approaches in Natural Hazards and Climate Change, in collaboration with AXA innovation teams and external academic partners.
• Supporting client engagement activities related to the Property and Natural Catastrophe book of business
• Contributing to the promotion of Natural Hazards and Climate Change risk consulting services and help disseminate AXA XL Risk Consulting expertise internally and externally.
• Recognizing and solving straightforward problems that can occur in your own work area, using professional judgment to apply your expertise and through evaluating and selecting solutions from established procedures, practice, and precedence. You will have scope to suggest improved ways of working within your area of responsibilities.

This role is primarily desk-based; but occasional travel may be expected for team meetings or training sessions at our main office; occasional field surveys as an observer for learning and professional development

You will report to the Natural Catastrophes and Data Science Services Manager and to the Global Head of NatCat, Geospatial and Data Science.

What you will BRING

We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Master’s degree - or equivalent - in Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Physics. Preferred disciplines include civil, maritime, or environmental engineering, with a focus on hydraulics, hydrology, fluid dynamics, or related subjects covering inland or coastal flood risks.
• Relevant professional experience in natural hazards risk assessment, risk engineering, or a related field, demonstrating a developed depth of knowledge and skills in a range of processes, procedures, and systems.
• Proficiency in English.
• Demonstrated proficiency in programming languages such as R, Python, or equivalent.
• Self-motivated and capable of working autonomously on assigned tasks with moderate guidance, while also demonstrating teamwork skills and a genuine eagerness to continue building knowledge of the organization, processes, and customers.
• Analytical and data-driven mindset: proven ability to process and interpret data with an aptitude for developing solutions for risk assessment within established frameworks.
• Communication skills: the ability to translate moderate complex technical data into clear, accessible language and effectively communicate with colleagues and partners.

Desired Skills and Abilities:

• Practical experience with GIS and spatial analytics tools (ArcGIS, QGIS, Carto, or equivalent).
• Developed knowledge of natural hazards beyond flooding, and of climate change physical risks (both chronic and acute), including relevant additional training or coursework.
• Familiarity and practical application with flood models and hazard maps from major vendors (JBA, Fathom, Deltares, Reask, or equivalent) and/or hydraulic simulation software (HEC-RAS, FloodModeller, or equivalent).
• Prior professional experience in (re)insurance, natural catastrophes, risk engineering, or related fields.
• Intermediate MS Office skills, with experience developing macros in Excel being an advantage.

Who WE are

AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.

How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.

With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.

Learn more at axaxl.com What we OFFER

Inclusion AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.

• Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
• Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
• Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits
• Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
• Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter

Learn more at axaxl.com/about-us/inclusion-and-diversity. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Total Rewards AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do.

We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence. Sustainability At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.

Our Pillars:* Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.

• Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
• Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
• AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.

For more information, please see axaxl.com/sustainability.