UNCDF Jobs - 48280- Consultant: Development of Inclusive Finance and B

Consultant: Development of Inclusive Finance and Business Models for Women’s Economic

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

11-Aug-2014

Application Deadline :

24-Jul-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

60 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UN Capital Development Fund is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help microfinance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments – water systems, feeder roads, schools, irrigation schemes – that will improve poor peoples’ lives.

UNCDF, through its Financial Inclusion Practice Area, seeks to develop a strategic programme of work that more powerfully connects the agenda of financial inclusion and inclusive business to deepening women’s economic empowerment. While UNCDF has significant experience in the area of financial inclusion and work with women clients and entrepreneurs, the linkages between cross-sector stakeholders’ initiatives, which could present high potential for greater and accelerated impact, are yet to be explored.

Against this background, UNCDF requires the assistance of a consultancy who is experienced in the research and study of key issues related to women economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and inclusive business thinking and practices across Africa and Asia to assist with a detailed assessment of current practices through desktop research, interviews and discussions with thought leaders and practitioners. The outputs from the research will then be used to conceptualize a strategic programme which will foster the development of inclusive finance and business models for women’s economic empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Mapping the nexus of women’s economic empowerment/financial inclusion/inclusive business.

Mapping key thinkers and practitioners in this space across Africa and Asia

Undertake initial consultations with key members of UNCDF staff to discuss the scope, experience and perspectives to inform the mapping process;
Conduct horizon scanning to identify relevant thought leaders and stakeholders across sectors, fields, and levels and types of interventions. Assess and establish succinct profiles of the identified stakeholders, synthesizing information such as: definition of, vision for and key approaches towards women’s economic empowerment and the role of gender equality in financial and business sector development; existing, ongoing, and future initiatives;
Generate an overview of the current landscape, assess interconnections between existing initiatives and highlight major gaps.

Generating a key set of questions that can be used to start a conversation with market leaders and thinkers to help frame the concept

Based on the mapping exercise, populate a list of key questions and preliminary hypotheses to be discussed with identified stakeholders.

Writing an initial brief think piece (including leading questions) to structure the conversation:

Formulate a draft think piece that presents a clear background/context behind the research effort, preliminary findings and hypotheses, and key questions.

Defining a conversation process involving initial set of one-to-one telephone/skype interviews, followed up by a small “ThinkShop” that brings a critical mass of market leaders and thinkers in one physical space for 1-2 days to create an architecture and contours of a global concept.

Manage the conversation process: establish a schedule for discussions/interviews; coordinate and conduct interviews; create and populate a database to capture discussion/interview results;
Formulate clear objectives and establish an agenda for the “ThinkShop”, create a list of invitees and work with the UNCDF team to organize and facilitate the event.

Developing a strong communication / knowledge product out of the conversation plus a more detailed programme concept.

Draft and finalize a communication/knowledge product that synthesizes the results of the discussions and provides sound recommendations for next steps;
Conceptualize a detailed programme design to guide the next action steps, with elements such as main objectives, proposed programme framework, priority area for interventions and potential strategic alliances to deepen women’s economic empowerment.

The consultant will report to the Financial Inclusion Senior Technical Advisor in Asia, and work closely with UNCDF team.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications;
Capacity in conducting and overseeing research and communication related to financial inclusion, economic development of women. Ability to manage events, oversee contributions of other actors;
Skilled in quantitative and qualitative analyses and data presentations;
Skills in overseeing document and report production, print and electronic publishing;
Proven Capacity in working with a diverse set of stakeholders at different levels in the public, private and civil society sectors.

Corporate competencies:

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in International Development, economics or Public Administration

Experience:

A minimum of six years of experience in financial sector development, financial inclusion, women’s economic development;
Experience of stakeholder engagement and networking in financial inclusion, particularly among policy makers and thought-leaders;

Language:

Fluent in English.

Evaluation Method:

Consultants will be evaluated based on UNCDF’s cumulative analysis method. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract shall be made to the consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (70%) and financial (30%) criteria specific to the solicitation.
Evaluation Criteria:

Competencies (30%);
Experience (30%);
Education (10%).

Proposal Requirements:

Proposals should contain the following information:

Technical and Financial Proposals which includes:

Offeror’s letter confirming interest and availability; form can be found here: http://uncdf.org/en/hiring-consultants
CV or Duly signed P11 Form;
Breakdown of Costs (daily fee and miscellaneous expenses including travel costs);
Brief Description of Approach to Work (if required by the TOR);
Writing Sample (if required by the TOR)

Please upload all documents as one file under "CV".