Background

The project objective is to improve resilience of highly exposed regions of Georgia to hydro-meteorological threats that are increasing in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change. The project will help the governments and the population of the target region of Rioni Basin to develop adaptive capacity and embark on climate resilient economic development. The project is comprised of three main components:
  • Floodplain development policy introduced to incentivize long term resilience to flood / flash flood risks;
  • Climate resilient practices of flood management developed and implemented to reduce vulnerability of highly exposed communities;
  • Early warning system in place to improve preparedness and adaptive capacity of population. 
The project aims to develop resilience of highly vulnerable communities and regions to climate related hazards, such as floods, and flash floods. Activities have been prioritized through consultation with local communities including heads of municipalities, NEA (National Environment Agency at the Ministry of Environment Protection) local staff responsible for management of the hydrometric network and national NEA and Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI) staff responsible for the assessment of need (NEA) and implementation of flood protection measures in the catchment (MRDI). The project takes an integrated and comprehensive approach by addressing critical gaps in land use policy and regulatory framework, fundamental to climate resilient flood management. The project will implement the Georgian Government’s priorities for effective and long term measures for flood prevention and management by direct involvement of local municipalities and populations residing in the highly exposed locations. The project will enhance the capacity of all appropriate national agencies to timely and effectively deliver early warning. A balanced combination of policy, early warning and concrete adaptation actions will support Georgia to take steps towards long term resilience of the most vulnerable communities residing in the Rioni river basin region.
 
Main partners for project activities are the Ministry of Environment Protection through its National Environmental Agency (NEA), Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI), Ministry of Internal Affairs, Municipalities of six target districts (Lentekhi, Oni, Ambrolauri, Tskaltubo, Samtredia and Tsageri).

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the Consultancy
 
The overall objective of the consultancy is to design and implement a flood insurance, as a climate risk transfer instrument, in six target municipalities of the Rioni basin. Develop an employee guarantee scheme for flood management that will provide seasonal employment opportunities related to climate-induced risk management for the local population.
The selected expert will be accountable to the UNDP/AF Project Manager.
 
The expert will have following duties and responsibilities:
  • Review the current insurance sector in Georgia, its profile and sectors that it covers agriculture, real estate etc.
  • Assess the affordability and current coverage of property insurance, agri-insurance etc;
  • Undertake feasibility study for community-based flood insurance scheme and explore the potential of developing property or infrastructure investment insurance products that can provide strong flood exposure signals and steer the new infrastructure, settlement development and expansion away from high risk zones;
  • Initial consultation with key stakeholders (community, municipality, private sector companies, insurance and micro-finance companies , commercial banks);
  • Consult on the designation of flood insurance zones based on flood hazard maps, and develop criteria for such designation;
  • Review existing employee guarantee schemes and report on the usefulness of these;
  • Design employment scheme (by first doing a feasibility study), based on existing municipal, seasonal employment programmes, which will incorporate seasonal cropping, agro-forestry and the implementation of bioengineering methods;
  • Consult on proposed employee scheme (at municipality, community level);
  • Undertake cost/benefit analysis of including seasonal cropping measures into employee guarantee scheme.
Major Deliverables for the expert
  • Detailed methodology and work plan for activities, including timeframes for the accomplishment of tasks (By end of first three weeks to be cleared and approved by UNDP);
  • Report on the review of current insurance sector in Georgia, its profile and sectors that it covers (agriculture, real estate etc) and an assessment of the affordability and current coverage of property insurance, agro-insurance etc. (by end of month 3);
  • Report on review of existing employee guarantee schemes and their usefulness (by end of month 4);
  • Feasibility study on community-based flood insurance scheme, and a range of property or infrastructure investment insurance products (by end of month 6);
  • Feasibility study for a proposed new employment scheme, based on existing municipal, seasonal employment programmes and report on employment scheme design, to include a cost/benefit analysis of incorporating seasonal cropping measures into employee guarantee scheme (by end of month 8);
  • Report on criteria for the designation of flood insurance zones based on the flood hazard maps (by end of month 11);
  • Final consultancy report describing the process, methodology used, major deliverables and lessons learned (by end of month 12).
Payment Modality
 
The payment of a lump sum will be made as follows:
  • 15%- upon submission to and acceptance by the UNDP Project Manager of deliverables 1 and 2, i.e. Detailed methodology and work plan for activities, including timeframes for the accomplishment of tasks and Report on the review of current insurance sector in Georgia, its profile and sectors that it covers (agriculture, real estate etc) and an assessment of the affordability and current coverage of property insurance; agro-insurance etc. (by end of month 3);
  • 15 % - upon submission to and acceptance by the UNDP project manager of deliverable 3, i.e. Report on review of existing employee guarantee schemes and their usefulness (by end of month 4);
  • 15% - upon submission to and acceptance by the UNDP project manager of deliverable 4, i.e. Feasibility study on community-based flood insurance scheme, and a range of property or infrastructure investment insurance products (by end of month 6);
  • 20 % - upon submission to and acceptance by the UNDP project manager of deliverable 5, i.e. Feasibility study for a proposed new employment scheme, based on existing municipal, seasonal employment programmes and report on employment scheme design, to include a cost/benefit analysis of incorporating seasonal cropping measures into employee guarantee scheme (by end of month 8);
  • 15% - upon submission to and acceptance by the UNDP project manager of deliverable 6, i.e. Report on criteria for the designation of flood insurance zones based on the flood hazard maps (by end of month 11);
  • 20% - upon submission to and acceptance by the UNDP project manager of deliverable 7, i.e Final consultancy report describing the process, methodology used, major deliverables and lessons learned (by end of month 12 ).
Acceptance of deliverables by UNDP Georgia will be made after quality certification of the deliverables by the project manager and by UNDP CO.
 
Evaluation Criteria
 
Applicants will be evaluated against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30. Candidates who will pass 70% of maximum obtainable score of the technical criteria (i.e. 70 x 70% = 49 points) will be considered as qualified.
 
Only qualified candidates will be invited for an interview. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to submit financial proposals – lump sum fee.
Maximum 30 points will be assigned to the lowest price offer. All other price offers will be scored using the formula (inverse proportion): Financial score X = 30* the lowest price offer/suggested price offer.

Competencies

Core competencies

  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
Functional competencies
  • Proven analytical skills related to insurance sector and employment;
  • Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines;
  • Ability to generate creative, practical approaches and solutions to overcome challenging situations;
  • Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills;
  • A pro-active approach to problem-solving.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Master’s degree in a relevant institutional and public policy discipline; economics, social sciences.

Experience

  • At least 3 years of experience in insurance and/or employment sector;
  • Experience in property insurance sphere  is desirable;
  • Experience in the design or participation in the employment schemes, and/or employee guarantee schemes;
  • Experience in conducting feasibility studies.

Language Requirement

  • Fluency in Georgian and English languages.

 FC: 62040