Tenders are invited for Consultant for the Feasibility Study and Management of an Insurance Project against Human-Elephant Conflicts (Gabon) Closing Date: 13 Oct 2025 Type: Consultancy Themes: Climate Change and Environment/Protection and Human Rights Consultancy mission to study the feasibility and pilot an insurance project to mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Gabon Context As part of its activities in Gabon, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is responsible for the implementation of a project to support peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants in Gabon, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Forestry (MINEF) in charge of Human-Wildlife Conflict, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development (MINAEDR), the NGO Space for Giants and local NGOs. The two-year project is funded by the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). The start of the project was launched in Libreville on February 17, 2025 by His Excellency, Brigadier General Maurice Ntossui Allogo, Minister of Water and Forests. One of the strategic aspects of the project is the feasibility of setting up an innovative mechanism for insuring against damage caused by elephants, in order to reduce human-elephant conflicts by compensating the losses suffered by local communities. The insurance mechanism should allow compensation for agricultural damage, destruction of property, and injuries caused by pachyderms. The implementation of an insurance mechanism will have to be structured around two major steps: Carrying out a feasibility study and identifying pilot sites for testing ; The implementation of an insurance pilot project adapted to the Gabonese context. As part of this project, WCS is therefore looking to recruit a technical consultant to conduct this feasibility study and oversee the pilot phase of the project. General objective The general objective of this service will be to provide technical support, based on the experience of the selected consultant, in order to define and implement an insurance mechanism at the level of the entire Gabonese national territory, aimed at compensating the damage caused by elephants on the crops, physical integrity and property of local communities. Specific objectives The consultant will have to carry out his/her mission according to two specific objectives, which Carrying out a feasibility study and identifying pilot sites for testing The first objective will be to conduct a feasibility study to define the insurance mechanism and ensure its long-term viability and its adaptation to the Gabonese national context. To achieve this objective, the consultant will: Carry out a national market study adapted to the problem and the national context; Estimate the actuarial risks of the proposed system; Define the financial viability of such a mechanism in the short, medium and long term as well as its financing options. Based on this feasibility study, the consultant will identify pilot sites in two different Provinces, in order to test this "in situ" mechanism. In the long term, this feasibility study should lead to the proposal of an insurance product and a market structure, adapted to the Gabonese national context. Finally, the consultant will have to define the terms and conditions for the implementation of the insurance product, as well as tools for monitoring its implementation and effectiveness. The implementation of an insurance pilot project adapted to the Gabonese national context In a second phase, the consultant will participate in the implementation of a pilot project, ensuring the design, deployment and monitoring of the insurance system. He/she will be responsible for ensuring that the mechanism defined allows for the provision of compensation in a fair and timely manner, and that the insurance scheme is tailored to the needs of local communities. Regular monitoring will be carried out to measure the effectiveness of the mechanism and to propose the necessary adjustments for possible scale-up Start date and task implementation period The estimated duration of the mission is 12 months in total, with separate phases for the study phase and the test phase on the pilot sites. The consultant will have to formulate a proposal for a schedule based on 12 months of services. He will have to present the activities related to his methodology and the expected results of his service. Consultant Profile Demonstrated experience of at least five years in feasibility studies, insurance product design, or management of compensation mechanisms related to wildlife or agriculture; A good understanding of and experience with (re)insurance as a risk mitigation tool for new and emerging risks in Africa. Knowledge of issues related to human-wildlife conflicts, ideally in Central Africa; Experience working with rural communities, local authorities and institutional partners; Ability to work in coordination with multiple stakeholders (Government, NGOs, private sector, technical partners). Ability to work independently, manage deliverables and meet deadlines within a contractual framework. Excellent writing and analytical skills; Fluency in French is required, English is an asset. Good skills in writing technical papers and educational materials. How to apply Interested candidates, who meet the qualifications, abilities and experience encountered, may request the bid file from Maurice Youmbi, myoumbi@wcs.org, cc: emwizerwa@wcs.org with the following subject: "CAFI Insurance Expert Consultancy" Deadline to request the call for proposals: October 6, 2025 Proposals must be submitted by October 13, 2025 Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4178965/consultant-pour-letude-de-faisabilite-et-le-pilotage-dun-projet-dassurance-contre-les-conflits-homme-elephant-gabon
