DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS18 July 2025-23:59-GMT Greenwich Mean Time (Banjul)
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As WFP rapidly expands its climate risk insurance portfolio in The Gambia, the Country Office is seeking an experienced international consultant to lead this work. The consultant will be responsible for driving the design and implementation of climate risk financing initiatives, managing the national climate insurance team, and ensuring strong integration with WFPโs broader programme portfolio and the IFAD-led Africa Integrated Climate Risk Management (AICRM) programme.
Job Title: Climate Risk Insurance Expert
Type of Contract: Regular International Consultancy (CST)
Unit: Programme Unit
Duty Station: Banjul, The Gambia
Duration: 11 months (with possibility of extension)
Background
Over the past decade, WFP has been at the forefront of leveraging risk transfer tools to strengthen the resilience of communities affected by climate-related shocks. In recent years, there has been a strategic shift toward integrating these tools into a comprehensive climate risk financing package that supports both national governments and smallholder farmers in climate-vulnerable regions.
WFPโs climate risk insurance work is centered around two core areas:
Microinsurance, implemented through the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative, which combines risk transfer with other integrated risk management tools;
Macro/sovereign insurance, in collaboration with the African Risk Capacity (ARC) and through the ARC Replica model.
At the micro level, WFPโs R4 approach includes four pillars: Risk Transfer (e.g. drought insurance), Risk Reduction (e.g. asset creation), Risk Retention (e.g. savings), and Prudent Risk Taking (e.g. access to credit). This integrated model is operational in over 20 countries and is continuously scaling up.
In 2024, WFP launched the Africa Integrated Climate Risk Management Programme (AICRM) in partnership with IFAD, ARC, and AfDB. The programme is being implemented in seven Sahelian countries, including The Gambia, with funding support from the Green Climate Fund. WFP leads the microinsurance component in The Gambia and is also implementing a broader integrated climate risk management programme in collaboration with the government.
To support this growing portfolio, the WFP Gambia Country Office is recruiting an international consultant to lead the design, implementation, and coordination of both macro- and micro-level climate risk insurance activities.
Job Purpose
Reporting directly to the Head of Programme, the consultant will lead the climate risk insurance portfolio in The Gambia. S/he will manage and support the country-level climate team, ensure alignment with WFPโs strategic priorities, and foster strong integration across programmes and government counterparts.
The consultant will receive technical support from the Regional Insurance Advisor (Dakar) and WFPโs Climate and Disaster Risk Financing team in Rome.
Key Responsibilities
1. Microinsurance Implementation
Lead the rollout of ARC Replica in The Gambia.
Facilitate capacity assessments and training for WFP and government counterparts on contingency planning.
Participate in field missions and consultations to ensure local context is reflected in index customization.
Coordinate with ARC Ltd. and technical partners to refine drought index models and ensure quality assurance.
Train and guide WFP staff to participate effectively in national technical working groups.
2. Microinsurance and Programme Integration
Ensure microinsurance is integrated into WFPโs resilience-building efforts, smallholder farmer support, and national initiatives (e.g., ROOTS Project).
Foster synergies across units, ensure alignment with the Country Strategic Plan, and support participation in relevant coordination platforms.
Promote financial inclusion by integrating savings and credit mechanisms into programming.
3. AICRM Implementation
Provide technical guidance on product design, beneficiary targeting, aggregator engagement, and regulatory approvals.
Support selection of insurance providers and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with delivery partners.
Lead development of distribution strategies, awareness campaigns, capacity strengthening plans, and graduation models.
Identify and implement strategies to manage basis risk and ensure programme sustainability.
Provide guidance on best practices in inclusive insurance programming.
4. Knowledge Management and Reporting
Document lessons learned, successes, and challenges from programme implementation.
Develop training modules, guidelines, and evidence-based knowledge products on micro- and macro-insurance.
Support M&E teams to generate insights and build the evidence base for insurance interventions.
5. Mainstreaming Climate Risk Across Proposals
Review project proposals to ensure that climate risk management and adaptation are embedded in programme design.
6. Other Duties
Perform any additional tasks related to the successful delivery of the climate insurance portfolio.
Expected Deliverables
By the end of the consultancy, the following deliverables are expected:
Strategic workplans and budgets developed and implemented for both micro- and macro-insurance activities.
AICRM implementation milestones achieved, including index development, business model, distribution, awareness raising, and legal/operational frameworks.
Evidence of successful implementation of ARC Replica and national engagement on macro-insurance.
Knowledge products and reporting tools developed to support learning, replication, and scale-up.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
Advanced university degree in Economics, Insurance, Finance, or related fields.
Experience
Minimum 5 years of professional experience in climate risk insurance, disaster risk financing, or related fields.
Demonstrated experience in microinsurance, meso- or macro-level risk financing in Africa.
Familiarity with microfinance, savings schemes, or agricultural development is a strong asset.
Knowledge and Skills
Strong leadership and team management skills.
Ability to communicate complex topics to non-technical audiences.
Field experience in developing countries, preferably in West Africa.
Experience working with financial service providers, insurance regulators, and multi-stakeholder platforms.
Familiarity with WFP processes and tools is an asset.
Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
Language
Fluency in English is required.
Working knowledge of French is desirable.
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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
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