Opportunities and Challenges for Microinsurance Development in Nigeria

The objective of this project is to conduct a microinsurance country diagnostic study in Nigeria using the methodology developed by the Access to Insurance Initiative (see Toolkit No. 1 below) and covering a market as well as regulatory analysis. The diagnostic approach is aimed at assisting the development of local stakeholder strategies to develop the microinsurance market. To achieve this, the diagnostic covers four main areas: context factors, demand-side, supply-side and regulatory issues in identifying the key opportunities, drivers and constraints for microinsurance development in Nigeria.1 In particular, the diagnostic aims to explore the impact that the current policy and regulatory framework (insurance and other relevant regulation) has on microinsurance development and identify any particular regulatory barriers to development. The intention of this research output and process is to catalyze a local stakeholder process that could adopt and oversee strategies to support microinsurance development in Nigeria. The research output is to identify strategic opportunities and make recommendations of concrete actions that may be usefully pursued by such a stakeholder process. The diagnostic is not only targeted at the domestic audience. Learnings from the Nigeria diagnostic process will also be captured as part of the growing body of knowledge of the Initiative for sharing with other countries interested in supporting the development of microinsurance. The international consultant(s) will be employed to carry out analytical and research work for the country diagnostic. His/her main tasks will be to: support the preparation of the team building and training workshop. Study and evaluate the usefulness of resources and data available on Nigeria (mentioned above). Determine existing gaps and develop a plan on how to fill these. Carry out research, gather, analyze and interpret data (Desk research and country visit). Contribute to and/or write chapters self-dependently (to be defined at the beginning of the assignment) to be included in the following outputs: Confidential briefing report following the in-country visit Report on market and regulatory review and potential strategies for developing microinsurance in Nigeria. Preparation of presentation and presentation of results at stakeholder workshop Final report on market and regulatory review and potential strategies for developing microinsurance in Nigeria Confidential note. Integrate comments of reviewers and Steering Committee into final report. Report weekly (orally) to the project management and provide input into a monthly update report for project management Participate on demand in Steering Committee meetings
Qualifications: 
The international consultant(s) should have substantial capacity in the areas listed below: Proven ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team of local and international consultants. Team player Analytical skills (both qualitative and quantitative) and the ability to work in environments where incompleteness of data is an issue Consulting skills and the ability to form reasoned arguments Cultural sensitivity and empathy with the needs of low income population. Communication skills ability to communicate complex arguments or messages succinctly ability to deal with a wide range of people, from supervisors and other government officials, industry, insurance customers, particularly low-income customers and community groups Writing skills, including preparation of well structured, well documented and well reasoned reports. Working experience in developing countries, preferably in Africa.
Start / Duration: 
Jan 15, 2012 Tendering process Jan 15 – Feb 15, 2012 Shortlisting and finalizing of contracts 1st half of March 2012 Team building and training, including project planning; kick-off workshop March 2012 Information, data collection and desk review Mid-April – mid-May 2012 In-country visit Mid-July 2012 Draft report and final stakeholder workshop Mid-Aug 2012 Final country diagnostic report
If you are intersted to cooperate with AFC Consultants in Nigeria, please send your most recent cv to Barbara.Braun [at] afci.de Thank you!