ETC - Disaster Risk Finance /Insurance and Modeling Expert in London

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty on a livable planet, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.

The WBG Prosperity Vice Presidency is responsible for getting the right public and private sector solutions to our operational teams and to our clients, and to produce scalable impact. It leads the WBG’s key global engagements in support of: Growth and jobs; debt sustainability and debt management; improved domestic resource mobilization and expenditure efficiency; a resilient and inclusive financial sector; business-enabling policies and regulations; trade policy and facilitation; and transparent, effective, and accountable government institutions world-wide.

The Disaster Risk Finance (DRF) team in FSS1 helps client governments strengthen financial resilience to disaster shocks. Through the Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance Program (DRFIP), the team delivers technical assistance, analytical work, and advisory support, drawing on the World Bank’s crisis preparedness and response toolkit and other financial instruments. It works closely with regional and country teams, government counterparts, private sector, development partners to design and implement solutions tailored to each country’s risk profile and institutional context.

The DRF team also contributes to global efforts to close insurance protection gaps, including through engagement with the G7, G20, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, and the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), among others. Against this background, the DRF team seeks an Extended Term Consultant (ETC) to provide senior-level technical advice and engagement support for the Unit’s work program on DRFI, insurance market development, and risk modeling. The position is based in London, United Kingdom, and requires frequent travel.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of disaster risk finance instruments and mechanisms in countries, including sovereign risk transfer products such as parametric insurance, catastrophe bonds, and risk pooling arrangements, as well as contingent financing facilities, disaster reserve funds, and risk-based public financial management frameworks.
• Provide ad hoc actuarial and quantitative analysis to support client engagement, policy dialogue, and internal decision-making, including identifying options to strengthen financial protection across risk layers undertaking value for money analysis.
• Review and quality-assure technical outputs prepared by others, including diagnostic reports, strategy documents, financial models, and presentations.
• Curate and share knowledge on insurance market development, including key bottlenecks, global trends, insurance technology, the integration of insurance into climate risk management, relevant case studies, and financial innovations for client countries.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as IFC, MIGA, Treasury, and external stakeholders, including the Insurance Development Forum (IDF).
• Represent the CDRFI team in stakeholder consultations, interagency coordination forums, workshops, and donor dialogues, as needed.
• Perform other duties and tasks assigned by the Unit Manager.

The initial appointment will be for one year, with possible renewal for up to two additional years, subject to business needs, funding availability, and satisfactory performance.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or higher in actuarial science, economics, finance, public policy, or a closely related quantitative or development field.
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in disaster risk financing, sovereign risk advisory, catastrophe risk analysis, or closely related fields, including direct experience supporting governments in developing countries on risk financing programs.
• Strong knowledge of DRF instruments and mechanisms, including sovereign risk transfer products, risk pooling arrangements, contingent financing facilities, disaster reserve funds, and public financial management reforms related to disaster risk.
• Demonstrated ability to engage senior government counterparts and lead substantive policy dialogue in a development context.
• Strong analytical skills and a proven record of producing high-quality technical reports, policy documents, and advisory outputs.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly and produce high-quality reports and studies.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, set priorities independently, and deliver agreed results.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in teams, lead small teams, and foster collaboration across organizational boundaries.
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Spanish or French language skills would be an advantage.

WBG Culture Attributes:

• Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
• Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.