Result of Service
Propose Nano‑Insurance Scheme for Egypt and Presentation to Stakeholders Build on the provided documents, a systematic literature review, and feedback from ESCWA, GIZ, and country stakeholders, the consultant will prepare a short design proposal presenting one or more nano‑insurance models suitable for further exploration in Egypt. The document should outline the scheme’s preliminary design parameters, including proposed target population(s); potential benefits (short‑term and/or shock‑related); contribution/payment modalities suited to irregular incomes; feasible distribution and administrative channels; basic institutional and operational requirements; parameters necessary for preliminary costing.
Work Location
Remote
Expected duration
6 weeks
Duties and Responsibilities
Backgroumd Women’s labour force participation in the Arab region remains among the lowest globally, with wide gender gaps and a high concentration of women in informal or irregular employment. This exclusion from contributory social protection systems is reflected in very low coverage of benefits such as maternity insurance, far below global averages. The situation is particularly pronounced in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan, where many women rely on social assistance rather than comprehensive social insurance. In particular, informal employment constitutes the majority of the labour market in the region, especially in Egypt, where over 70% of workers operate informally. Shifts in employment patterns toward own account work and away from formal employer–employee arrangements exacerbate vulnerabilities, leaving workers without pensions, health insurance, or income protection. Barriers such as high contribution requirements, administrative complexity, and irregular incomes make it difficult for informal workers—particularly women—to enroll in and maintain participation in traditional social insurance systems. This context strengthens the case for complementary, flexible solutions that can accommodate fluctuating earnings and provide entry level protection. These structural gaps underline the need for innovative mechanisms—such as nano insurance and other ultra low cost schemes—that can extend social protection to women working outside formal employment arrangements.
Emerging practices from Latin America offer valuable lessons on how digital tools and nano scale products can expand access to social protection. Across the region, governments and social partners have used electronic registration systems, mobile payments, and platform-based services to reduce transaction costs and increase visibility of informal work. Nano and microinsurance initiatives—such as MAPFRE’s bundled funeral insurance with CODENSA utility bills in Colombia or Bancamía and BBVA Seguros’ maternity related microinsurance products—demonstrate how small, embedded, low premium schemes can effectively reach low income and irregular workers. These models leverage technology, private sector capabilities, and daily life payment channels to overcome trust gaps, simplify enrollment, and address gender specific vulnerabilities.
ESCWA is partnering with the GIZ Hiya MENA project—which operates in Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco with a strong focus on improving the economic security of women in the informal sector—to advance innovative solutions for inclusive social protection. Building on this partnership, ESCWA will leverage its longstanding cooperation with the Economic and Social Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and other local partners and its expertise in regional knowledge exchange to produce targeted policy analysis and knowledge products on nano insurance and other ultra low cost insurance mechanisms. Through this joint effort, the two institutions aim to adapt successful international and Latin American experiences to the specific needs of women informal workers in the MENA region, supporting governments in designing practical and scalable insurance options Considering this, there is a clear need to engage a senior consultant with deep expertise in the design of insurance products in Latin America—particularly those involving low fees, low transaction costs, and delivery channels suitable for workers with irregular incomes. The consultant should have direct experience with government led schemes targeting informal or low income populations, and the integration of such models into broader social protection frameworks. Crucially, they must understand how to adapt Latin American experiences to contexts like Egypt and the wider HIYA MENA, ensuring relevance for government programs that extend coverage to female informal workers and other vulnerable groups.
Duties and responsibilities
The international consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks in strong collaboration and coordination with ESCWA’s SP team, GIZ Hiya MENA and relevant national stakeholders:
- Identification and Discussion of Suitable Scheme Options for Egypt. Based on the review and discussions with ESCWA, GIZ, and relevant stakeholders, identify one or more nano‑insurance scheme options adapted to the Egyptian context. Work with the project team providing the actuary with all design‑related inputs required for preliminary costing—such as target groups, benefit structures, payment channels, and basic operational assumptions.
- Presentation to Egyptian Stakeholders. Present the proposed preliminary scheme options and findings to Egyptian institutions, collect feedback, and support ESCWA and GIZ in facilitating technical discussions.
- Contribution to an Action Plan for Egypt. Support ESCWA over approximately in drafting a short action plan outlining next steps for testing and refining nano‑insurance options tailored to Egypt’s institutional and policy landscape.
- Attending meetings – scheduled and ah-hoc – with ESCWA, GIZ and national stakeholders to receive inputs and feedback
Qualifications/special skills
A master’s degree in development studies, Public Policy, Economics, or a related area is required. A Ph.D. is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 12 years of professional work experience in in the inclusive finance and insurance sector, social protection, or related fields is required. At least 5 years of experience in the design, implementation, or advisory support of insurance, financial inclusion and/or social protection policies, programmes, or strategies in middle-income countries is required. A minimum of 4 years of experience working with government institutions or public agencies on social protection development is required. Experience working in Latin America is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
