Ethiopia Promoting Inclusive Insurance

Transcription

1 Ethiopia Promoting Inclusive Insurance Survey Research -Terms of Reference Date: 15 June Project Background This Terms of Reference ( ToR ) is for work that forms part of a broader three year program, the objective of which is to support the National Bank of Ethiopia in promoting access to insurance services of quality, value and safety for low income groups in Ethiopia and contribute to broader financial inclusion. The program focuses on the following areas (as components): i. Strengthening the microinsurance regulatory and supervisory framework and providing capacity building to supervisors; ii. Supporting the development of new microinsurance products; iii. Developing a conducive and balanced regulatory framework for index based insurance; and iv. Strengthening market conduct, consumer protection framework, and financial literacy policies. The project is under the leadership of Francesco Strobbe, Senior Financial Economist, GFMDR, (Task Team Leader), Craig Thorburn, Lead Insurance Specialist, FCMNB, (Technical Leader), and Emiko Todoroki, Sr. Financial Sector Specialist, FIRST, (FIRST Project Officer and co Task Team Leader). This ToR seeks a research firm to contribute to the product development related activities (the second component) of the project. In particular, the research firm will conduct extensive research through a field survey of client needs and related issues that will provide critical input into the later product development decisions. The consultancy will ultimately produce a written report examining the overall survey results which will provide critical input into key microinsurance product development opportunities and requirements in the target client group(s). Specific consideration should be given to any identified differentials that would reflect a need for alternative options based on gender. In particular, the research will identify the key risk areas for the target clients, and the areas of significant gap between their current (informal) risk management approaches and the actual need, and/or financial impact of a major risk (or life cycle event). The research firm is expected to work closely with the international product development consultant who is leading the technical development of microinsurance products.

2 2 Research Objectives: To assess the risks that low income households (LOH) and small business(es) face, how they manage them and the potential microinsurance solutions to address these risks. To assess how these risks and perceptions of them differ across different parts of the country and different segments of the population (according to geography and demographic and socio economic characteristics including gender). We also wish to assess the level of awareness and perceptions of insurance for the target market, includijg issues relevant to consumer protection and fair treatment of customers, and to provide an analysis of financial literacy as it applies to insurance. This research will inform the development of potential standard microinsurance products and offerings to address these needs, which markets to target, what distribution approach to adopt and the marketing and communication strategy. The research will act as a key input into the World Bank support to help the microinsurance providers to develop and ultimately launch microinsurance products in Ethiopia, as part of promoting an inclusive insurance market in Ethiopia. We wish to make it clear that this research is not related to the potential need for Agriculture Insurance. The research is related to the potential need for any Microinsurance irrespective of the form (eg it could be life/health/property or other types of insurance needs, independent of Agriculture Insurance). 3 Target Market The target market for this research are low income households and small-medium enterprises in the informal sector, both in rural and urban areas in Ethiopia. It should be sufficiently robust to provide a credible coverage but does not have to uniformly address all regions of the country. 4 Key Research Questions: There are 4 main areas of focus for the research, namely; 1) Risks and Coping strategies 2) Financial Literacy and Consumer awareness 3) Capacity to pay for insurance 4) Distribution mechanism for insurance 4.1 Risks and Coping Strategies a) What are the socio-economic characteristics of the target market? b) What are the risks that this target market faces that cause economic stress? c) What are the (financial/non-financial) impacts of these events/risks? d) What are their current risk management solutions (ex-ante/ex-post) to address these risks and the gaps in these current formal/informal coping mechanisms? e) What access to financial services do they currently have (eg loans)? f) What are the resulting priority risks by target market? 4.2 Financial Literacy and Consumer awareness a) What is the target market s understanding and perception of insurance?

3 b) What is their level of financial literacy? 4.3 Capacity to Pay for Insurance a) What is their Ability to pay ( ATP ) and Willingness to pay ( WTP ) for microinsurance? b) What is their preferred timing and method to pay an insurance premium? (eg seasonal etc) 4.4 Distribution mechanism for Insurance a) What existing groups do they belong to? Are these groups involved in financial transactions? Do they have regular contact with other group members? b) Who do they trust the most to buy insurance from? Would it be a MFI/Cooperative/Bank or Insurance Company or another party? c) What is their level of ownership and usage of mobile phones? Do they use mobile money and/or will they be willing to use mobiles to pay premium and receive claim payments? 5 Input into Product Development The research will input into the Microinsurance product development in the following expected manner; 5.1 Risks and Coping Strategies Research Topic Input into Product concept development Socio-economic characteristics of target market Nature of risks & life cycle stresses To differentiate/segment the market across wealth levels To assess the size of a loss relative to household income To analyze affordability issues To assess feasibility of different premium payment structures To identify risks that meet the test of an insurable risk To identify life cycle events that cause high levels of economic stress To prioritize the types of coverage that will have real impact Impact of risk events To identify priority areas of coverage To identify the amount of coverage required To identify complementary activities to help reduce and manage risks Current coping mechanisms To identify gaps in types, amounts and timeliness of coverage To identify how credit and savings may complement insurance To identify positive attributes of informal insurance mechanisms that can be replicated in microinsurance Priority risks To feed into the development of high impact product concepts for different market segments 5.2 Other research objectives Research Topic Input into Product concept development

4 Perception & understanding of Insurance and Financial literacy To help determine client education needs To design field agent training programs (how to explain insurance to clients) To design marketing and communication strategies Capacity to Pay To understand the level of premium that low-income households can afford and are willing to pay To design premium collection procedures and processes that are convenient and easily accessible for clients Trusted service provider & Mobile technology To identify potential delivery systems that fit clients To identify structures and positive features of existing institutions that can be incorporated into insurance delivery systems 6 Information Sources and Study Sample 6.1 Data and Information Sources We expect that the research will draw on both primary and secondary sources of information. The Primary sources may include current and potential users of insurance, current or potential providers of insurance, and other key informants. The Secondary sources of information might include insurance company or MFI/SACCO data on insured persons (who is buying insurance; what is affordable, market size, or rates of loss); existing studies of risk management, informal insurance, and related topics; or existing evaluations of microfinance, food security, health, or other programs that help poor people manage risks. 6.2 Study Sample The study sample in demand research can include potential insureds, current insureds, people who have left insurance programs, or even people who were offered voluntary microinsurance and opted not to take it. The sample for market research for microinsurance can include: Clients of MFIs or other institutions with the potential for offering microinsurance products. Individuals and households representative of a particular market segment of interest, for example women, men, urban, rural, agricultural households, etc. People who are vulnerable to insurable risks and have a high potential for benefiting from protection offered by microinsurance. The sample might also include key informants such as MFI field staff, insurance agents, local community leaders, or current providers of insurance. The sample size will be expected to be chosen so that this research study is a representative sample for the whole of Ethiopia.

5 7 Methodology The research will use a combination of qualitative and/or quantitative tools and techniques to answer these questions. 7.1 Qualitative Tools A variety of qualitative market research tools can be used for the demand research, namely; focus group discussions [Primary data] participatory rapid appraisals (involving games, simulations, financial diaries, and other exercises) [Primary data] individual in depth interviews [Primary data] case studies [Primary data] 7.2 Quantitative Tools A variety of quantitative market research tools can be used for the demand research, namely; Structured interviews [Primary data] mini surveys involving potential clients or key informants [Primary data] Segmentation analysis of socio and economic characteristics of target market using secondary data such as national household surveys [Secondary data] 8 Process & Timelines We expect the research firm to develop a demand research plan, with the following key components; 1) Confirm the research objectives and research questions 2) Identify the primary and secondary sources of information you will use 3) Selection of the tools, methods (qualitative and/or quantitative methods) and protocol for their use 4) Determine and document the criteria for selecting the study participants location, characteristics, and numbers 5) Develop a detailed time & work plan (including report format) 6) Agree roles & responsibilities & resource needs 7) Conduct information collection and research (eg FGD s) 8) Collate information collected, validate and format 9) Conduct analysis & share preliminary findings 10) Incorporate feedback into revised findings 11) Participation in a stakeholder workshop in Addis Ababa for feedback and discussion Please note that the research findings will be made public at a stakeholder workshop expected to be facilitated by the National Bank of Ethiopia later this year. The consultant will be expected to engage with Staff from the NBE and other official agencies as directed by the Task Team Leader so as to ensure all relevant knowledge transfer is included in the scope of the work. This may include participation of officials and other project team members as observers.

6 9 Research firm selection and procurement The consultancy is expected to commence in July The overall work of this consultancy is expected to be completed by the end of December We request that the research firm develop a detailed proposal addressing the following; Definition of target market (Section 3) Key research questions (Section 4) information sources and approach to study sample (Section 6) proposed methodologies and tools (Section 7) demand research plan (Section 8) project timing, from end of procurement to initial findings (including impact of rainy season) process and procedure to ensure data quality (including consistency of data collection between sample sites and populations) and any other thoughts on the key design elements We also request that the research firm share 2 examples of previous comparable research.