Background

he Bank of Laos (BoL) recognizes the trainings and TAs need to promote inclusive and sustainable microfinance sector in Lao-PDR and requested UNCDF to provide trainings and TAs support to the staff of Financial Institution Supervision Department (FISD) and Micro Finance Division (MFD) of BoL, Banking Institute (BI), Micro Finance Working Group (MFWG), Financial Service Providers (FSPs) and other support service providers (microfinance center, audit firms, business development services). MAFIPP is seeking a consultant to provide support services based on the need requested by BOL. The objectives of the consulting assignment are to work with BOL to conduct training needs assessment and to conduct training on Microfinance account and finance management.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will undertake the following tasks in order to produce the final outputs:
·        Conduct research and study to review all procedures and policies and pre-existing curricula of the FSD for on-site and off-site supervision and based on this review and the pre-testing (point 1), deliver a curriculum development needs assessment.
·        Conduct training needs assessment of all FISD participants and conduct a pre-teing
·        Develop a training agenda, curricula and specific lesson plans for all off-site and on-site training
·        Conduct on-site and off-site training for the FISD/BoL staff
·        Assist the BoL to develop a package f training materials for FISD library and database
·        Explore and recommend some possible options for networking and partnership with local, regional and global networks for BoL
Deliverables:
1.      An assessment of existing FSD skills based on a pre-testing of all FISD training participants. The pre-testing results will measure theoretical and practical knowledge and skills and serve as a benchmark for trainings delivered during the assignment and for follow-through training.
2.      Review all procedures and policies and pre-existing curricula of the FSD for on-site and off-site supervision and based on this review and the pre-testing (point 1), deliver a curriculum development needs assessment.
3.      Develop a training agenda, curricula and specific lesson plans for all off-site and on-site training delivered during the assignment.
4.     Deliver a package of training materials for the FISD library and database. This package of materials will include the materials delivered during the assignment and also include materials gathered from other sources.
5.      Provide recommendations as to how the FISD can network and establish partnerships with national, donor, regional and global networks for the on-going delivery of training and capacity building activities. These recommendations will include a mapping of past and future ADB support to the Bank of Lao and recommend means by which future trainings may be coordinated with the Banking Institute.
All final products delivered by the consultant must be provided in both hard copy and soft-copy files to the MAFI. Any and all secondary source materials must clearly recognise original authorship and copyright.

Competencies

·        Sound knowledge and experience of Microfinance sector in Lao PDR.
·        Good knowledge and sound understanding of Microfinance sector in the region.
·        Experience of working with central bank, other Lao banking institutions and donor organizations in the areas of training needs assessment and providing trainings and Technical Assistance (TAs)
·        Sound experience and skills in developing curriculum and conducting training in the area of microfinance and financial matters
·        Demonstrated ability to translate the theories on microfinance into practice
·        Good data analysis and report writing skills
·        Good interpersonal communication skills
·        Fluent in English and Lao language.

Required Skills and Experience

Requirements for experience and qualifications:
I. Academic Qualifications: Master’s degree
II. Years of experience: 3-5 years of professional experience in Banking, Finance, Economics or related field
 
Requirements for submission of applications:
All interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP website at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/index.php  or http://jobs.undp.org/ UNDP Lao PDR will only accept applications submitted on-line.  
 
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
 
1.      Letter of interest explaining why you consider yourself as the most suitable candidate for the work;
2.      Please provide a brief training methodology on microfinance as per TOR requirements;
3.      Recent CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 referees;
4.      Financial proposal: Lump sum offer
 
During the online application it is recommended that all documents to be uploaded in one electronic file in PDF or Word formats.
 
Evaluation of Proposals:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:
 
 Cumulative analysis
 
The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specified below.
* Technical Criteria weight; [ 0.7]
* Financial Criteria weight; [ 0.3]
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points out of 70 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria:
Weight (%)
Max. Points Obtainable
1.      Educational background in microfinance in banking, accounting, finance, economics and related field (Master’s degrees or equivalent
20
14
2.      Number of years of work experience in microfinance areas
2-3 years: 4 points
4-5 years: 7 points
10
7
3.      Previous track record/experience in developing curriculum, conducting training needs assessment and deliver training on microfinance
25
17.5
4.      Level of knowledge and understanding of microfinance sector work  and situations in Lao PDR  (part of an interview)
10
7
5.      Experience working with banking institutions including central bank in areas of training needs assessment, delivering training and TAs
15
10.5
6.      Excellent data analysis and report writing skills (English and Lao)  - reference check with previous other organizations who they worked with
10
7
7.      Interpersonal and communication skills including English proficiency (through observations during the interview)
10
7
1.    Financial
0.3
30
Total points obtainable
1.0
100

 
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 point would be considered for the Financial Evaluation
Note: Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to the following e-mail: diyer.rasulov@undp.org or telephone +856 21 267777. UNDP Lao PDR will respond in writing by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.
 
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more detailed information about UNDP Lao PDR please visit our website at http://www.undplao.org