When André Picard first wandered into a university career counselling office in 1983, he wasn’t searching for a vocation that would take him across continents, into the aftermath of industrial disasters or to the centre of sweeping national pension reforms. He simply opened an academic calendar, saw Actuarial Science listed first, and thought… why not?
That unplanned moment launched a career that would eventually touch pension systems, workplace injury programs, and social protection structures around the world.
Building an unexpected global path
André began his career at Sun Life in Toronto before returning to Quebec City to start what became a 23‑year stretch at Mercer. There, he developed expertise in reviewing and valuing major public programs, including the Quebec Pension Plan, workers’ compensation systems and public automobile insurance schemes. These projects gave him a foundation in social insurance that would later become central to his work.
His global journey began almost incidentally. In 2009, a colleague from the International Labour Office (ILO) reached out about a consulting need: an actuarial valuation for the island nation of Dominica’s social security fund. André completed the work in his spare time – with Mercer’s permission – and was struck by how engaging and meaningful the assignment felt. More opportunities followed, including projects in the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, and soon he found himself advising internationally on a regular basis.
In 2014, he joined the ILO full time. Today, he leads the ILO’s actuarial services unit, helping countries design and strengthen their social protection systems.
The ILO’s role and André’s place within it
Created in 1919, the ILO operates on the premise that lasting peace depends on social justice. Its office – the International Labour Organization (ILO) secretariat – supports countries in shaping labour standards and building effective social protection systems. Many developing nations operate social insurance programs but lack the in‑house actuarial capacity to sustain them. This is where André and his team come in.
Their work involves assessing financial sustainability, examining benefit adequacy, understanding governance structures and aligning recommendations with international social security standards. It requires technical skill but also diplomacy, awareness of cultural context, and the ability to help governments build solutions that people trust and can access.
“Social security programs support people throughout the life course – giving birth, pursuing education, losing employment, becoming disabled, retiring, or at the end of life. It is inspiring to see André, as a fellow Canadian actuary, contributing to social protection efforts worldwide.”
— Assia Billig, FCIA, Member of the International Affairs Council
Bangladesh: Actuarial work with direct human impact
One of André’s most significant experiences began in the aftermath of the Rana Plaza factory building collapse in Bangladesh in 2013. Over 1,100 garment workers were killed and more than 2,500 were injured, and, at the time, Bangladesh had no employment injury insurance system. Employers were responsible for small lump‑sum payments, and many factories involved were bankrupt after the disaster, leaving families with little or no support.
The government turned to the ILO for help, with André hired as a consultant to develop a tool for calculating pension values consistent with international standards. That early work grew into a multi‑year effort to help Bangladesh establish a functioning employment injury scheme.
A pilot program was launched in 2022, covering 4 million ready‑made garment workers, funded by more than 80 global brands and retailers. The model is now being expanded to sectors such as leather, footwear and shipbreaking. The goal is to have a formal employment injury insurance system in Bangladesh by 2027.
Throughout the work, André and his colleagues have had to consider cultural as well as actuarial conditions. For example, large lump‑sum payments of benefits (common in some countries) could put widows at risk within family structures. The team worked with banks to structure benefits in a way that protected recipients financially and personally. It’s a reminder that actuarial decisions carry real consequences for the people they are intended to support.
“Having witnessed André and his team’s work firsthand, I’ve seen how they allow actuaries to apply our technical skills – mine particularly in employment injury insurance – to help ILO member nations implement and enhance their social security programs. The collaborative journey toward establishing a formal employment injury insurance system in Bangladesh by 2027 demonstrates their commitment and innovation. It is remarkable what André’s team achieves with limited resources, enabling actuarial services such as assessment rate setting for systems like Zambia’s and Honduras’s.”
— Crispina Caballero, FCIA, Member of the International Affairs Council
Supporting ambitious national reform in Oman
André also played a key role in one of the most comprehensive social protection reforms undertaken in recent years: the restructuring of Oman’s pension and social insurance system. Under the direction of the sultan, the country sought to consolidate 11 pension schemes, address funding challenges, modernize benefits and extend protections to migrant workers.
Over two years, André and a team of 12 specialists helped design a unified system that balanced long‑term sustainability with reasonable contribution levels and adequate benefits. The work included adjusting retirement ages, aligning accrual rates, introducing a universal pension and establishing a provident fund option for higher earners. The reform also brought predictable income protection to migrant workers who had previously depended on employer goodwill rather than formal entitlements.
The project required extensive collaboration with local institutions, navigating different expectations and concerns. While some stakeholders were apprehensive – especially when changes meant reduced future benefits – the reform moved forward, supported by clear long‑term objectives and a willingness to confront difficult realities.
Living and working abroad
Moving to Europe also brought everyday adjustments. André spent four years living in France before relocating to Switzerland. He recalls the practical learning curve: shorter store hours, Sundays without grocery shopping and the scramble to find alternatives – often at the Geneva airport. These small challenges came with notable advantages: strong public services, new cultural experiences and proximity to the global work he was undertaking.
Guidance for actuaries interested in international work
For actuaries curious about working abroad or contributing to global projects, André highlights the UN Global Marketplace, a procurement portal for consultants and service providers. It allows users to search by UN agency, including the ILO, and to see the types of expertise required for various initiatives.
He also encourages actuaries to reach out directly. There is ongoing demand for professionals with experience in pensions, employment injury insurance and especially health insurance – areas where many countries need help to strengthen their systems.
André describes his international work as among the most rewarding experiences of his career, both personally and professionally.
A career defined by service
Colleagues have remarked that André’s work embodies a line often linked with the CIA’s identity: Facing the future with confidence. Though his impact spans far beyond Canada’s borders, the principle is the same – using actuarial expertise to build systems that protect people today and support sustainable planning for the long term.
His career demonstrates how actuarial skills – combined with persistence, openness and a commitment to public service – can contribute to meaningful change.
“André’s contribution to building resilient financial systems that protect people around the world is truly inspiring. His work strongly aligns with the CIA International Affairs Council’s mandate to make a positive difference for the public—helping people, communities, and organizations navigate uncertainty and build a more secure future.”
— Jason Vary, FCIA, Chair of the International Affairs Council
What began as a chance choice in a counsellor’s office has grown into decades of global impact. Through his work, millions of workers and families are better protected and countries have stronger foundations for the future. The story is one of technical expertise applied in service of people – a reminder of how actuarial work, at its best, strengthens lives as much as it strengthens systems.
This article reflects the opinion of the author and does not represent an official statement of the CIA.