UNDP Jobs - 78371- National Consultant-Flood insurance expert

National Consultant-Flood insurance expert

Location :

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Apr-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

May 2018 - December 2019

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Up to 65 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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 test and work on introduction of flood/natural disasters insurance including a detailed review of existing risk financing planning legislation and policies for development and economic protection from high flood risk areas, develop a flood/natural disasters insurance scheme and survey the possibilities of the introduction of index-based flood/natural disasters insurance.

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 include, but are not limited to the following:

Analyze the institutional and legal environment for insurance market in BiH;
Identify the key limitations, both institutional and data related, that can prevent the feasibility of the flood/natural disasters insurance and the potential ways of addressing them; Identify main obstacles to establish flood/natural disasters insurance scheme in BiH, analyze them and make recommendations for overcoming them;
Explore the current measures of damage compensation to farmers, property owners and target population (subsidies, solidarity, etc.);
Oversee detailed survey on willingness to pay for insurance including development of questionnaire, defining the sample, size of the sample, sample coverage, sampling methodology, etc. Preliminary report on survey accepted by UNDP;
Analyze data received in the Questionnaire with conclusions and recommendations for further steps in the field of flood/natural disasters insurance; Report on survey findings accepted by UNDP;
Review the current insurance and reinsurance sector in BiH and sectors that it covers (e.g. private and public properties, industry, agriculture, hazards etc.) and assess the affordability, accessibility and current coverage of insurance across relevant sectors;
Review and analyze current practices related to risk management techniques and risk financing modalities (e.g. micro-financing) in BiH in general;
Identifying key organisations such as insurance companies, municipalities, and government development funds, micro-finance Institutions (MFIs) and their potential role in flood/natural disasters insurance scheme;
Review and analyze opportunities for involvement of other financial institutions such as development banks, MCOs, commercial banks and authorities from all levels into flood/natural disasters insurance models;
Work closely with the flood/natural disasters insurance working groups established under the Project and provide technical leadership for the development of flood/natural disasters insurance model and insurance scheme for BiH with support of other experts.
Perform consultation with key stakeholders on the proposed flood/natural disasters insurance scheme and the insurance zone designation. (community, municipality, private/public sector companies, insurance and micro-finance companies, commercial banks, development banks;
Provide technical expertise and leadership to stakeholders on institutionalizing effective and sustainable flood/natural disasters insurance market in BiH;
Present Flood/natural disasters insurance model to all insurance stakeholders and ensure that the model is agreed upon by local authorities ofBiH ;
Provide advice on further steps in further development of effective and sustainable flood/natural disasters insurance market in BiH;
Provide progress reports to the PM;
Archive and document all activities;
Ensure the timely and effective management of the activities as scheduled;

Deliverables/outputs:

Detailed methodology and work plan for activities, including timeframes for the accomplishment of tasks; review existing reports produced by UNDP; (By end of first three weeks to be cleared and approved by UNDP); 2 days; End of May 2018; 3.08%;
Analyzed the institutional and legal environment for insurance market in BiH; Identified the key limitations, both institutional and data related, that can prevent the feasibility of the flood/natural disasters insurance and the potential ways of addressing them; Identify main obstacles to establish flood/natural disasters insurance scheme in BiH, analyze them and make recommendations for overcoming them; Report submitted and accepted by UNDP; 5 days; End of July 2018; 7.69%;
Explore the current measures of damage compensation to farmers, property owners and target population (subsidies, solidarity, etc.); Identified key organizations such as insurance companies, municipalities, and government development funds, micro-finance Institutions (MFIs) and their potential role in flood/natural disasters insurance scheme; Analyzed current practices related to risk management techniques and risk financing modalities (e.g. micro-financing) in BiH; Analyzed opportunities for involvement of other financial institutions such as development banks, MCOs, commercial banks and authorities from all levels into flood/natural disasters insurance models; Report on findings accepted by UNDP; Analyzed opportunities for establishment of an insurance pool and/or disaster fund; 3 days; Mid August 2018; 4.62%;
Developed questionnaire, defined the sample, size of the sample, sample coverage, sampling methodology, etc. survey implementation overseen and Preliminary report on survey developed and accepted by UNDP; 15 days; End Sept 2018; 23.08%;
Analyzed data received in the Questionnaire with conclusions and recommendations for further steps in the field of flood/natural disasters insurance; Report on survey findings accepted by UNDP; 5 days; End of October 2018; 7.69%;
Based on the results of the Survey provide technical advice on insurance and reinsurance capacities in BiH and sectors that it covers (e.g. private and public properties, industry, agriculture, hazards etc.), assess the affordability, accessibility; review current coverage of property insurance, agro-insurance, etc. across relevant sectors and advise on potential developments and further steps; Report accepted by UNDP; 10 days; 28 February 2019; 15.38%;
During the contract duration work closely with the flood/natural disasters insurance working groups established under the Project and provide technical leadership for the development of flood/natural disasters insurance model and insurance scheme for BiH. Report on conclusions of the WG submitted and accepted by UNDP; 5 days; End of August 2019; 7.89%;
In consultation with key stakeholders developed flood/natural disasters insurance model and presented to all insurance stakeholders and agreed upon by local authorities of BiH; 15 days; End of October 2019; 23.08%;
Provide advice on further steps in further development of effective and sustainable flood/natural disasters insurance market in BiH; 5 days; 20 December 2019; 7.49%;

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:

PhD in field of economics;
Licensed actuary;

Experience:

At least 10 years of professional or academic experience in the field of risk management, insurance and actuarial profession;
International and national 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;

Languages Requirements:

Excellent writing, editing, and fluent oral communication skills in English is a must.

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:

Completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (downloadable from http://www.ba.undp.org/content/bosnia_and_herzegovina/en/home/operations/jobs.html);
Proposal explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
Provide a sample document/paper on the similar subject created;
Financial proposal which will separately specify professional fee, indicating number of anticipated working days, travel costs (air-ticket or use of private vehicle), living allowance, and all other applicable costs.

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.

Criteria:

Rating based on Qualifications - 30%;
Knowledge of the institutional and legal environment for insurance market in BiH; Demonstrable knowledge on insurance products and insurance markets review - 30%;
Evaluation of the submitted document: The submitted document is clearly contextualized; Data is presented systematically; A clear distinction has been made between the data and its interpretation - 30%;
Excellent writing, editing, and fluent oral communication skills in English is a must - 10%.