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Tenders are invited for Consultancy for Program Development for a Microinsurance Pilot in Iraq, Turkiye and Jordan Closing Date: 9 Feb 2025 Type: Consultancy 1. Who is the Danish Refugee Council? Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence. Operating since 2003 in the Middle East & North Africa region, DRC has addressed the needs and rights of vulnerable populations, working with both host and displaced communities, in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkiye, Iraq and Yemen. DRC in the Middle East & North Africa is delivering programming in several sectors across its countries of operations, among which Protection, Economic Recovery, WASH, Shelter, Camp Coordination and Camp Management and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding. For further information about DRC, please refer to our website: https://drc.ngo/ 2. Purpose of the consultancy The Danish Refugee Council Regional Office for the Middle East & North Africa based in Amman, Jordan seeks proposals from a consultant to manage program development of a micro insurance pilot in Turkiye, Iraq and Jordan, from leading in-depth feasibility analysis, to market research and partnership scoping, to a development of full proof of concept and fundraising plan for a pilot in one or more of the target countries based on the preliminary analysis. 3. Background DRC is exploring the feasibility of launching a micro-insurance pilot in the Middle East region as a social protection instrument for vulnerable and displacement-affected informal workers. Micro-insurance is a social insurance product that is specifically targeting and accessible to low income working households, and those underserved by private or public insurance schemes. Social insurance is a core pillar of social protection as defined by DRC, noting that there is no universal definition of social protection. Micro-insurance offers financial security in the event of unforeseen events such as natural disasters, wars, economic crises and disease. It is an important tool for enhancing social protection and supporting poverty reduction for those households unprotected by public or private social safety nets against sudden crises. Micro-insurance provides life, health, and other unique forms of insurance, providing limited benefits for very low premiums. Due to its use in providing protection against external shocks at very low premiums, micro-insurance has particular relevance for informal workers and smallholder farming communities. Poor and irregular pay, unstructured contracts or lack thereof, and unpredictable cash flows make traditional insurance inaccessible for informal workers and small holder farmers. DRC is increasingly aligning and linking its programming to local social protection systems, including social insurance, in an effort to engage with and hold duty bearers to account. Social protection systems are of varying capacities across the region. However, they represent an opportunity for DRC to meaningfully engage in programming which extends beyond typically short term humanitarian responses, and sustainably address the challenges of protracted displacement and associated needs across the region. In 2024, DRC ran a regional feasibility study to scope opportunities to support the economic resilience of informal workers in the Middle East by facilitating access to micro-insurance products. The study recommended three countries within DRCs Middle East operations for a micro-insurance pilot: Jordan, Turkiye and Iraq. The purpose of this consultancy is to advance the existing analysis with a deep-dive assessment in each of the three countries of the feasibility of setting up a micro-insurance pilot in partnership with local stakeholders, including financial service providers (banks, MFIs, others). Based on the findings of this analysis, the consultant is expected to develop a proof of concept in one or more of the target countries, alongside a fundraising plan and initial donor engagement. 4. Objective of the consultancy The purpose of this consultancy is to manage program development of a micro-insurance pilot in Turkiye, Iraq and Jordan, from leading in-depth feasibility analysis, to market research and partnership scoping, to a development of full proof of concept and fundraising plan for a pilot in one or more of the target countries based on the preliminary analysis. The project will build upon previous research carried out by DRC on micro-insurance in the region. The consultant will be required to have extensive expertise in micro-insurance and networks to leverage in Iraq, Jordan and Turkiye, as well as operational design experience to guide program design for a micro-insurance pilot. The consultant is expected to spend at least one full month in each of the three countries over the course of the assignment. 5. Scope of work and Methodology The specific objectives of the consultant are as follows: In all three target countries, and with input from DRC country teams, the consultant will carry out the preliminary stages of the program development process for a micro-insurance pilot building upon high level program guidance, followed by the design of a pilot and fundraising strategy in up to three of the target countries. It is expected that the consultants work will follow four key stages: 1. Market research: undertaking supply and demand side analysis, including a review of the micro-insurance market system in each country and broader ecosystem, assessing such factors as access and functionality, as well as highlighting gaps in existing products and identifying possible entry points for a DRC-facilitated intervention. The demand side research should contribute to defining the target group for a pilot and its needs, including identifying broad characteristics, appetite for a micro-insurance product, and requirements in terms of risk prioritization and cost. It is expected that the pilot will be designed based on needs so understanding the limitations and barriers for target households to accessing a micro-insurance product will be central to the pilot design. The consultant will be responsible for using appropriate methods for gathering data including qualitative research methods such as focus groups and interviews. 2. Partnership development: identifying potential partners for a micro-insurance initiative in each country, including mapping commercial and other insurance providers, assessing the rationale and requirements for partnership and taking initial steps to enhance existing or develop new partnerships with relevant stakeholders. The consultant will need to be adept at creating the link between financial products and non-traditional clients, and supporting the adaptation of product structure to target group needs while aligning with the requirements of a commercial partner. 3. Pilot design: based on the market research and partnership development carried out individually in Turkiye, Jordan and Iraq, the consultant will develop a proof of concept for a micro-insurance pilot in one or more of the three target countries. The proof of concept should include a full intervention strategy, including initial pilot design, pricing and structure, with target beneficiary groups defined, as well as recommendations to ensure the sustainability of the pilot. 4. Fundraising strategy development and donor engagement: the consultant will develop a fundraising and scaling plan for the pilot(s), as well as initiation of early stage discussions with prospective pilot funders and identification of potential funding opportunities. By the end of the assignment, DRC should be at a stage to launch a pilot with clearly defined potential funding pathways. 6. Deliverables The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below: Phase Expected deliverables Indicative description tasks Maximum expected timeframe Phase 1 Review Inception report Detailing the approach to the pre-program analysis 15 working days Phase 2 Analysis Detailed market assessment Detailed market assessment in each of the three countries with comprehensive supply and demand side analysis 60 working days Phase 3 Analysis Mapping and scoping of relevant partners Mapping and scoping of relevant partners in each country, including outreach to relevant organisations and initial engagement on a potential micro-insurance partnership with DRC 60 working days Phase 4 Reporting Interim strategic report Summary report detailing justification for selecting one or more the target countries to develop the pilot 15 working days Phase 5 Reporting Final report: pilot designs and fundraising strategy Proof of concept and pilot design in one or more the target countries Fundraising strategy and donor engagement plan 30 working days The Consultant will provide the documentation by email. All drafts have to be submitted in Word format, or Excel when relevant. Any presentation can be in PowerPoint format. 7. Duration, timeline, and payment The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than eight (8) months, estimated 180 days. The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than end of September. 8. Pro Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4127206/consultancy-program-development-microinsurance-pilot-iraq-turkiye-and-jordan
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