Terms of Reference (ToR) Terms of Reference for Consultancy Assignment: Backstopping Service for Activities Implemented Under the Pilot Sub-project At Oxfam

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Terms of Reference for Consultancy Assignment:

Backstopping Service for Activities Implemented Under the Pilot Sub-project

“Building the Palestinian Agricultural Insurance Systems and Services” Project

Ref: 25/002/OPTI-JRM

1. Palestinian Agricultural Sector

The relevance of agricultural insurance derives from the importance of the agricultural sector itself in social and economic development in Palestine. The country is rich in agricultural biodiversity, enjoys a variety of climatic and geographical variations that enable diversity in agricultural production, and benefits from its ability to keep abreast of agricultural technological development. The Israeli occupation, however, proliferates drivers and vulnerabilities, including the confiscation of land, fragmentation of Palestinian territory, control over water and resources, especially in Area C, limited access to international and national markets, and military and settler violence. Despite manifold Israeli restrictions on Palestinian access to resources, movement, and trade, which have led to an overall decline of the sector, agriculture remains an important source of food security, livelihoods, and export revenues. Although impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic and operating under Israeli restrictions, which have resulted in continuous loss of land and water, the percentage contribution of agricultural activity value added of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to reach 7.6% according to 2021 forecasts.

Further, agriculture provided jobs for 6.2% of the employed in the third quarter of 2021 and a secondary source of income for many more households in the occupied Palestinian territory, where farming widely depends on family labour. Women play a critically important but often unrecognised role in the sector, supplying 87% of the labour input in livestock production and 54% in rain-fed crop production (Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2020).

However, agriculture’s overall economic importance is broader than just the sector itself. It has forward and backward linkages with sectors such as industry, retail and wholesale trade, transport, tourism, and hospitality services, which rely on it as a source of inputs or as a market that absorbs their outputs.

Over and above its economic roles, agriculture is an intrinsic component of the Palestinian cultural and social fabric. It plays a crucial part in the national narrative and is privileged in literature, songs, and other artistic expressions. It has come to symbolize Palestinian resilience and perseverance in the face of ongoing land loss due to prolonged occupation and the expansion of Israeli settlements. Within the context of political volatility, one of the world’s fastest-growing populations, and increased climatic variability exacerbated by environmental degradation, the risks faced by farmers, producers, and other agricultural value chain actors are expected to increase unless adequate measures are taken to protect the agriculture sector better.

Within the context of political volatility, one of the world’s fastest-growing populations, and increased climatic variability exacerbated by environmental degradation, the risks faced by farmers, producers, and other agricultural value chain actors are expected to increase unless effective measures are taken to protect the agriculture sector better. As described by climate change experts, climatic risks will potentially increase with future climate scenarios for Palestine projecting a temperature rise and a decrease in average annual rainfall, translating into an increase in the risk of drought and flood risk, with the wettest days becoming more frequent. While currently, farmers and producers who have incurred such risks are partially supported through direct loss compensation, a more optimal system of professional risk transfer – insurance – is necessary, especially with the increased vulnerability of farmers and producers to risks.

1. Project Background

The ‘Building the Palestinian Agricultural Insurance Systems and Services’ project is a 48-month action led by Oxfam and the Economic and Social Development Centre of Palestine (ESDC) and funded by the EU. The action aims to increase the resilience of Palestinian farmers and producers against shocks resulting from production risks, including climate change and infrastructural risks, with the specific objective of putting in place an operational and sustainable agricultural insurance system and services through the Ministry of Agriculture, with the full and active participation of the private sector.

This project and its two predecessors stem from the ministerial and national strategies. These strategies included three significant programmes, one of which was the Agricultural Risk Management Programme. This programme’s key output was to develop “a market for agricultural insurance and partnerships to mitigate agricultural risks.” The Agricultural Risk Management Programme drives the ‘Building the Palestinian Agricultural Insurance System and Services’ project, ensuring its continuity and alignment with MoA and PCMA’s objectives.

The current project builds upon a previous EU-funded technical assistance project called “Developing the Agricultural Insurance System in Palestine: Pre-Development Phase.” As part of this project, a group of experts was recruited to assess the current environment in oPt and prepare a ‘Roadmap on Agricultural Insurance Development.’ The roadmap in March 2018 outlines the technical, policy, legal, financial, market, and organizational requirements for establishing agricultural insurance in Palestine. Importantly, the roadmap was developed closely with the MoA (PADRRIF at the time) and key stakeholders. Additionally, the project builds on the achievements and lessons learned from the ‘Developing the Agricultural Insurance System in Palestine’ pilot project, funded by the Government of Sweden and led by Oxfam in partnership with the MoA (PADRRIF at the time), concluding in 2019.

1. Assignment Objectives and Expected Results

Related project activities

The work comes as part of implementing the “Building the Palestinian Agricultural Insurance Systems and Services” project. The work is related to piloting of three agricultural insurance products (hereinafter “the pilot project”), where at least 735 farmers and producers will become clients of agricultural insurance products – policy holders. Indemnity-based were specifically developed based on market studies and actuarial studies in the year and have not been tested/piloted thereafter. Oxfam implemented as part of the project activities of updating the products and is aiming through the pilot project to reach 735 clients divided into three open agricultural sub-sectors: 1) tomato under greenhouses included the greenhouse structure, 2) Grape open-cultivation farms, and 3) closed system poultry farms. The insurance conditions, terms, and coverages are clear within the insurance policies, and are guided by a developed underwriting and loss adjustment guidelines.

Through this pilot project, Oxfam seeks to:

1. test the actual practice of the insurance process and agricultural insurance management by examining the framework regulating agricultural insurance management, and the commitment of partners and actors to the roles and responsibilities whose features were identified in building the partners’ strategy, especially since this pilot period will grant the Risk Prevention Fund Agricultural insurance, on the one hand, and insurance companies, on the other hand, have the opportunity to practice managing the agricultural insurance market in terms of selling and following up insurance policies, concluding insurance contracts with farmers, insuring specific agricultural products, and testing the support and aid system by Oxfam and the Ministry of Agriculture
2. offer capacity-building opportunities for personnel from insurance companies and Ministry of Agriculture. Through practices on the ground, those personnel will have a comprehensive understanding of the essential functions and operations of agricultural insurance.

Assignment objective

Oxfam is seeking to contract an individual expert/group of individual consultants/ or a consulting firm with extensive experience in agricultural insurance, covering loss adjustment, underwriting, and reinsurance across both animal and plant sub-sectors, with a focus on vegetables, fruits, and poultry. The selected expert will support Ministry of Agriculture) Palestinian Agricultural Insurance Sector (and Oxfam for a period of maximum one year (but with certain number of consultancy days – this is not an employment contract), assisting in the piloting of three (3) agricultural insurance products by:

• Loss Adjustment: Providing essential support in overseeing loss assessment processes for insured damages, ensuring accurate evaluation and claims settlement.
• Underwriting: Supporting underwriting functions, including early client visits and risk assessment to strengthen client relationships.
• Reinsurance: Developing reinsurance strategies, liaising with international brokers and local insurers, and optimizing reinsurance mechanisms.
• Product Development: Assisting in the review and amendment of existing products and design of agricultural insurance products and reviewing documents related to product development, including product design, pricing, actuarial reports, underwriting, and loss management.

Expected Results:

The engagement of the selected advisor/consultant/firm for agricultural insurance — specializing in the specific area such of reinsurance, loss adjustment, underwriting, and product design — is expected to yield significant outcomes that will enhance the technical capacity and expertise of the Ministry of Agriculture, insurance companies, and Oxfam staff. The advisor will contribute valuable feedback and insights across various domains, including the development of technical policies and procedures, preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs), and participation in related reports. Additionally, the advisor will provide continuous advisory services to ensure ongoing improvements and strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders.

In terms of product design, the advisor/consultant/firm will provide technical expertise in developing agricultural insurance products, reviewing product selection criteria, reviewing product design calculations, actuarial studies, actuarial reports and policy wording. The advisor will also assist in preparing the necessary documentation for the approval of these products by international reinsurance companies, thereby supporting insurance companies and other stakeholders in building effective agricultural insurance systems. Through these contributions, the advisor will play a key role in ensuring the successful implementation and sustainability of agricultural insurance initiatives.

In terms of reinsurance, the advisor/consultant/firm will guide the Ministry of Agriculture’s strategic involvement in the pilot phase by identifying and engaging reinsurance companies and brokers interested in the Palestinian agricultural market. This will include fostering relationships with international brokers and reinsurance providers to ensure effective communication and negotiation.

Additionally,

The advisor/consultant/firm will support the development and implementation of underwriting policies, helping the Ministry and its stakeholders establish robust underwriting procedures. This will include follow-up and on-field recommendation and directions provision, supporting the operationalization of underwriting processes, and participating in field visits when required.

On the loss adjustment, the advisor/consultant/firm will support efforts by enhancing the technical capacity of the Ministry’s Agricultural Insurance Sector and its partners. This will involve offering expert guidance on loss adjustment policies and procedures, conducting field visits when necessary, and participating in capacity-building activities. These efforts will contribute to the operationalization of loss adjustment functions within the agro-insurance system, ultimately supporting the success of the project.

Overall, the involvement of the advisor/consultant/firm will contribute to the success of the Building the Palestinian Agricultural Insurance Systems and Services project by enhancing the capacity of all involved parties, ensuring the successful implementation of agricultural insurance systems, and fostering long-term sustainability in the sector.

1. Assignment Scope of Work

The backstopping services will be provided on a case-by-case contractual basis, with the advisor/consultant/firm expected to deliver specialized expertise in agricultural insurance across key areas, including product design , reinsurance, loss adjustment, and underwriting.

Technical Expertise and Capacity Building

• Provide technical guidance in agricultural insurance (reinsurance, loss adjustment, underwriting, and product design) based on international best practices while ensuring alignment with project objectives and the Palestinian context.
• Support the development, refinement, and implementation of policies, procedures, and guidelines for agricultural insurance, ensuring compliance with both local and international standards.
• Offer strategic recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture, insurance companies, and Oxfam staff to enhance agricultural insurance operations and best practices.
• Identify challenges in field operations, contract negotiations, and product implementation, proposing effective mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing activities, including exchange visits and learning tours, to enhance technical capacity and sector-wide collaboration.

Field Engagement and Stakeholder Collaboration

• When needed, participate in field visits to support capacity-building activities, provide technical guidance, and oversee implementation efforts.
• Engage with project stakeholders to address specific interventions, resolve operational challenges, and strengthen agricultural insurance mechanisms.
• Support the Ministry of Agriculture and private insurance companies in engaging with international reinsurance brokers and companies, facilitating negotiations and fostering collaboration.
• Advise on structuring relationships between the Ministry of Agriculture, local insurance companies, and international brokers to optimize operational efficiency and sustainability.

Documentation, Reporting, and Advisory Support

• Ensure accurate documentation of insurance-related processes, maintaining comprehensive records of operations, outcomes, and lessons learned.
• Contribute to the preparation and review of reports, technical documents, and Terms of Reference (ToRs) related to insurance policies, loss adjustment, underwriting, and reinsurance.
• Provide technical feedback and reviews of developed ToRs, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and project requirements.
• Offer ongoing advisory services to project stakeholders, supporting continuous improvements in policy wording, product development, and insurance operations.

Additional Responsibilities (As Needed)

• Advise on the continuous development of agricultural insurance loss adjustment, underwriting, and reinsurance for future product enhancements.
• Review and provide feedback on technical reports, particularly regarding operational strategies, ways of working, and insurance-related methodologies.
• Assist in establishing connections with international brokers and reinsurance companies to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Suggest and coordinate potential institutions or organizations for exchange visits and learning tours to enhance sectoral expertise.
• Undertake any other specific assignments related to agricultural insurance as required.

1. Assignment TIMEFRAME

The assignment is anticipated for a maximum of one-year in accordance with the pilot phase implementation. This does not mean that all year days are working days, only certain days are going to be exerted; the exact working days shall be defined based on the need during the pilot implementation. Yet, and if needed, both parties can agree on extending the contract for any required duration.

1. Skills and background of the Consultants’ Team

The consultant/s advisor/s involved in this assignment and who will be selected for the proposed assignment should have:

• Extensive Expertise: A minimum of 7-10 years of hands-on experience in agricultural insurance and reinsurance, with specialization in loss adjustment, underwriting, and product development for both plant and animal farming.
• Industry Knowledge: Strong understanding of agro-insurance systems, operations, and processes, particularly in reinsurance, underwriting, and claims management, with proven experience in international projects and the ability to apply global best practices.
• Certifications & Accreditation: Recognized certification or expertise in agro-insurance underwriting and/or loss adjustment.
• Sector-Specific Insight: Familiarity with Palestine’s agricultural sector, its unique challenges, and local market conditions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Well-established relationships with local and international insurance companies, brokers, and reinsurance firms, as well as experience collaborating with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international development organizations.
• Capacity Building & Facilitation: Proficiency in participatory and innovative facilitation, training, and moderation techniques to enhance knowledge transfer and stakeholder capacity.
• Strategic & Analytical Skills: Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving abilities, with excellent planning, organizational, and administrative competencies to ensure efficient project execution.
• Communication & Documentation: Effective report-writing and oral communication skills . Experience in drafting, reviewing, and refining technical documents, including Terms of Reference (ToRs), policy papers, and operational reports.

Moreover;

• The consultant/s advisor/s must have effective report-writing and strong oral and written communication skills both in English and preferably in Arabic as well. [In case non-Arabic speaking consultants are chosen, Oxfam will make available interpretation/translation services mainly within negotiations and any field visits and/or capacity building activities].
• The consultant/s advisor/s must have good analytical and conceptual skills, strong planning, organization, and administrative skills.

1. Technical and Financial Offer

Technical Proposal, the consultant/s advisor/s (one individual or a group of consultants/frim) is/are requested to submit:

• CV and copies of ID/passport of each of the consultant/advisor, showing relevant permanent job and consultancy services.
• A list of relevant experience of the same field, describing the type of activities conducted and deliverables achieved. Contact person for clients within the past three years must be provided as references.
• One-page general description of the approach through which the consultant/advisor will provide his/her expertise and services to Oxfam, and how he/she would ensure positive and effective results.

Financial Offer, the consultant/s advisor/s must complete the following table, and have it signed/stamped:

Item

Rate or estimated cost in Euro

Comment of Description (list any comment or description below, if needed)

Consultancy rate per day

______ Euro per day

A day is 8 hours of work; either in office, online, or in field days.

Per Diem in case for the need to stay overnight in a Palestinian Hotel/Guesthouse

______ Euro per night

Travel cost, two-way ticket

______ Euro per ticket

Transportation expenses from airport to the hotel, vice versa

______ Euro per trip

Others, …. Please add fields as needed

• Prices must be provided in Euro and net of VAT.
• Submitted offers should be valid for 120 days from the final date of submitting the offers.

1. General Terms and Conditions

2. Considering each individual assignment, implementation and delivery could be conducted in-country or abroad.
3. Separate/individual assignment ToR will be developed for each assignment and agreed-upon before the commencing of the implementation. Those separate/individual ToRs will include detailed requirements, proposed methods, and expected deliverables.
4. Implementation of each individual/separate assignment will be in full cooperation and coordination with the project manager and related team member of Oxfam and Ministry of Agriculture, when needed.
5. By the end of each assignment, signed time sheet should be submitted alongside a payment request. Both time sheets and payment requested will be approved by the project manager and the budget holder as per Oxfam’s due policies and procedures.
6. Oxfam envisions a long-term engagement and relationship with the consultant; thus a minimum number of days shall be agreed-upon per financial/calendar year. A retain-consulting agreement will be signed for one year, and shall be renewed upon sufficient deliverables and upon need.
7. All proposals will be evaluated based on internally agreed criteria as follows:

Range and depth of the consultant’s experience with similar services, mainly specific and extensive experience in consultancy services related to agro-reinsurance, mainly indemnity based agro-insurance.

40%

Expertise of capacity building and training of insurance and non-insurance teams

10%

General proposed approach and methodology, Special attention will be given to innovative approaches or methodologies that can propose additions/changes to those indicated in the ToR

20%

Financial Proposal

30%

1. As clear above, 70% of the weight will be given for the technical proposal and 30% will be given for the financial proposal. The applicant should score minimum of 70% (score of 49) in the technical evaluation to be eligible for financial evaluation; otherwise the whole offer will be disregarded regardless of the financial offer.
2. The consultant/advisor should follow the Oxfam’s Branding policies and ensure Oxfam and its partners logos are presented as per the guidelines. The consultant/advisor and his / her team in the assignment must abide by Oxfam child protection policy, code of conduct, sexual harassment policy and Oxfam’s other relevant policies. All requirements in respect of insurance including professional indemnity, worker’s compensation, public liability, superannuation and taxation, where applicable will remain, at all times, the responsibility of the consultant.
3. All proposal documents are requested in the English language.
4. Oxfam reserves the right to negotiate, accept or reject any or all proposals and quotations at its sole discretion and to pursue or act further on any responses it considers advantageous.
5. No proposal may be altered after this deadline. Proposals received after the closing date will not be considered, unless in Oxfam sole opinion there are exceptional circumstances which have caused the delay.
6. Withdrawals must be unconditional and will end all participation in the competitive bid procedure.
7. Any requests for clarification may be submitted by email to
8. [procurement.jersualem@oxfam.org ] by the maximum date of 20 February 2025.