Background

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a middle-income country which is still recovering from the 1992-1995 war which had a devastating impact on its human, social and economic resources, leading to enormous challenges of the post-war reconstruction and economic and social recovery. This challenge has been further compounded by the transition towards market economy requiring structural reforms and improved governance. The slow rate of the post-war economic recovery of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been compounded by the negative impacts of climate change on key sectors such as agriculture, energy (hydropower), the environment and, in particular, the frequency and magnitude of flood disasters, which have tripled in frequency in the last decade.  In May 2014, Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced its worst flooding in 150 years which resulted in 23 deaths and $2.7 Billion USD worth of damages which is 15% of GDP and is expected to result in a 1.1 percent contraction in the economy this year, compared to the growth of 2.2 percent that had been predicted before the flood. BiH is significantly exposed to the threats of climate change but has very limited capacity to address and adapt to its negative impacts, in particular the frequency and magnitude of floods from its major rivers.   The Vrbas River basin is characterized by a large rural population comprised of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in BiH, including war returnees and displaced people, with high exposure to flooding and its devastating impacts.

The purpose of this project is to transfer technologies for climate resilient flood management in Vrbas River Basin, UNDP, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) to enable the communities of the Vrbas basin to adapt to flood risk through the transfer of adaptation technologies for climate resilient flood management,   upgrade and rehabilitation of the hydrometric monitoring network, development of a flood forecasting system and early warning system, development of emergency response plans, and provision of training in flood-specific civil protection.   Importantly, the project will provide targeted training on climate-induced FRM to over 100 practitioners and decisions makers and will develop an institutional capacity development plan for the long-term development of capability and capacity in Flood Risk Management (FRM).  The project will work closely with affected communities to introduce climate resilient community-based non-structural measures and provide training to local communities in climate resilient FRM. This will include the introduction of agro-forestry, community-based early warning systems, reforestation and introduction of financial instruments such as index-based flood/natural disasters insurance and credit deference schemes as a means of compensating for flood damages for agriculture;

Objectives of the assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to work and guide simulation group established under the project on setting up adequate flood insurance model acceptable to BiH insurance industry and BiH decision makers.

Duties and Responsibilities

The expert should work in consultation with and under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager (PM). Specifically, his\her responsibilities are but not limited to the following:

  • Undertaking initial consultation with key stakeholders (community, municipality, private sector companies, insurance and micro-finance companies, commercial banks) on the proposed flood insurance scheme and the insurance zone designations.  Consultations should compromise of one-on-one meetings, and a workshop;
  • Based on the feasibility study and the identified type of schemes, provide technical leadership for the development of a GIS-based flood insurance model and insurance scheme for BiH with support of the GIS and other project experts (in particular the socio-economics and modelling experts).  The developed scheme should include, a basis for setting premiums and payouts at household and community level, in each of the identified flood insurance zones (zones to be developed from flood hazard and risk maps), the value of premiums in each insurance zone should be based on risk indices developed by the modelling team, while the value of the payout out should be based on appropriate considerations of proportion of damages and losses to be covered;
  • Presentation of the proposed insurance model and scheme to insurance markets supervisors to determine the possibilities for approval of their distribution;
  • Analyzing and determining possible products’ distribution channels;
  • Analyzing possibilities for insurance premium subsidies;
  • Presentation of the final insurance scheme to local communities, insurance companies, insurance regulators, insurance supervisors and other stakeholders;
  • Providing progress reports to the PM; 
  • Archiving and documenting all activities;
  • Ensuring the timely and effective management of the activities as scheduled.

Deliverables/outputs:

  • Work closely with the flood/natural disasters insurance simulation working groups established under the Project and provide technical leadership for the development of flood/natural disasters insurance model and insurance scheme for BiH.  Consultations should compromise of one-on-one meetings, and workshops;  Work closely with national expert. Report on conclusions of the WG submitted and accepted by UNDP - 8 days; 30 Aug 2018; 50%;
  • Present  the final insurance scheme to local communities, insurance companies, insurance regulators, insurance supervisors and other stakeholders; 8 days; 31 Jan 2019; 50%;

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
  • Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;

Functional competencies:

  • Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
  • Excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Extensive knowledge of computer applications;
  • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a fairly big team;
  • Ability to operate under strict time limits;

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

  • University degree of MSc or MA in field of economics.
  • PhD university degree is an asset.
  • Licensed actuary.

Experience:

  • At least 10 years of professional or academic experience in the field of risk management, insurance and actuarial profession;
  • International experience in field of risk management, insurance and actuarial profession;
  • Knowledge of the institutional and legal environment for insurance market in BiH;
  • Demonstrable knowledge on insurance products and insurance markets review;
  • Experience with GEF funded projects;

Languages Requirements:

  • Fluency in both written and spoken English is a must;
  • Knowledge of BHS languages would be considered an asset.

Technical criteria:

  • Rating based on Qualifications - Weight: 30%;
  • Professional/academic experience in the field of risk management, insurance and actuarial profession; International experience in field of risk management, insurance and actuarial profession - Weight: 30%;
  • Knowledge of the institutional arrangements for insurance market in BiH; Knowledge of the environmental issues in BiH; Experience with GEF funded projects - Weight: 30%;
  • Fluency in both written and spoken English is a must; Knowledge of BHS languages would be considered an asset - 10%;

EVALUATION

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

  • * Technical Criteria weight-70%
  • * Financial Criteria weight- 30%

Applicants are required to submit an application including:

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

  • For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 62 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
  • Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.