National Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance Expert

Organizational Setting

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to design, implement, and partly finance low emissions and climate-resilient projects aligned with its global commitments. The project is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the Delivery Partner, in close collaboration with the National Designated Authority (NDA) - the Department of Planning and Finance (DPC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).
 

The project has the following objectives:
•     Objective 1 – Capacity building: To enhance NDA and Ministries capacity to design and implement GCF projects and streamline climate data collection, analysis, and information sharing systems
•     Objective 2 – Strategic Frameworks: To undertake a comprehensive Readiness Needs Assessment, update the GCF Country Programme and develop new financial mechanisms for investment in climate action
•     Objective 4 – Pipeline development: To further develop a concept note in the Country Programme and studies for the Funding Proposal while building capacity of the Environment Protection Fund as its potential DAE
•     Objective 5 - Knowledge sharing and learning: To support NDA and line ministries to learn from other countries, prepare and disseminate knowledge products on GCF programming and develop new financial mechanisms for sustainable investment in climate action

The Project Management Unit (PMU), based at DPC/MAE, is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the project under the direction of the NDA and in line with technical guidance from FAO.

Under the framework of this project, a proposed anticipatory drought insurance pilot constitutes Output 2.4.2. and connects closely to a workstream on linking Anticipatory Action to Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance and preceding baseline work of FAO Lao PDR in cooperation with partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Finance including on drought monitoring, drought risk management, and anticipatory action. The drought insurance pilot – explored as a climate finance delivery mechanism– is intended to integrate with Lao PDR’s existing sovereign insurance coverage for non-drought perils and provide proof-of-concept of a financial mechanism enabling proactive drought management at various governance levels, laying the foundation for future upscaling via development of a full-scale parametric solution. Under this project, anticipatory drought insurance will be advanced via a feasibility assessment (2.4.2.a) and a pilot product (2.4.2.b). The pilot product is intended to test protocols underlying the insurance product at limited scale (by ringfencing a window for early drought payouts in the so-called ‘finite risk component’ of the SEADRIF policy). The feasibility assessment is intended to evaluate options for full-scale parametric, anticipatory macro-insurance against drought.

GCP/LAO/038/GCR Output 2.4.2: Strategies, roadmaps, studies and policy incentives completed to foster private financing for Country Programme implementation and/or low-emissions climate resilient development.

As a contribution to this project output, the sovereign drought insurance pilot will be implemented in collaboration with the South-East Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (Activity 2.4.2.b). The National Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance Expert will lead on the national coordination in terms of technical design of the drought insurance pilot as codified in insurance policy wording and payout mechanism Standard Operating procedure, and provide implementation support during the pilot validity period. Learnings from the pilot design and implementation will furthermore inform the parallel feasibility study (2.4.2.a) on scaling up drought insurance to a parametric product, and the National Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance Expert will be responsible for integrating the pilot experience into the assessment.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative, and direct supervision of the AFAOR (Programme), project manager and in consultation with the FAO regional Climate and Disaster Risk Financing Specialist as well as in consultation on technical matters with the project LTO

Technical Focus

The National Finance and Operations Assistant provides critical financial, procurement, HR, and administrative support to the GCF Readiness Project’s PMU. The role ensures accurate financial management, compliance with FAO procedures, timely procurement and recruitment processes, and smooth day-to-day operations between the PMU, FAO, and national stakeholders.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Coordinate with MAE, MOLSW, MOF and SEADRIF to support the pilot of a parametric drought insurance policy in close collaboration with the international expert. Ensuring alignment with government priorities and project Output 2.4.2 objectives.
•     Lead on finalization of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) modelled on existing Drought Anticipatory Action Protocol 
•     Facilitate consideration and potential pre-approval of SOP by National Disaster Management Committee, including via a technical taskforce as required, and facilitate consultation meetings with taskforce as required and foreseen under project activity 2.4.2.c
•     Support organization of consultations of government agencies with communities at elevated drought risk to short-list and select eligible anticipatory actions in case of insurance trigger activation, in line with SOP provisions
•     Support DMH in drought monitoring and verification processes including field verification as required, and facilitate information flow to relevant units (NDMC, MOLSW, MOF) for effective and timely insurance claims under the pilot in case of activation, and support funds transfer process in case of insurance activation from Ministry of Finance to relevant government systems partners 
•     Support setting up of systems for timely funds transfer to line agencies e.g. via MAE/DMH set-up of operational bank accounts in line with SOP provisions 
•     Support government-led organization and implementation of activities such as Trainings of Trainers in case of drought insurance activation and facilitate reporting on activities
•     Inform the design and management of the feasibility assessment of scaling up drought insurance via a parametric insurance product, in particular with regards to advanced money-out channels including in-kind input provision (e.g. seeds) and/or multi-purpose cash transfers
•     Document lessons learned and prepare a knowledge brief on the pilot for inclusion under project Output 5 (Knowledge Sharing and Learning).
•     Ensure gender and social inclusion are integrated throughout all consultations, training, and implementation processes
•     Other duties and activities as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
 
•     Advanced degree in economics, business administration, development studies and/or a related field.
•     Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
•     Experience working with MOLSW, MOF and/or MAE in Lao PDR.
•     Experience in disaster risk reduction, social protection related activities in Lao PDR
•     Prior engagement with international or regional DRF initiatives (e.g., SEADRIF, ASEAN, UN agencies) is an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Excellent written and spoken English and Lao.
•     Strong analytical, coordination, and facilitation skills.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION