UNDP Jobs - 49649- Policy Specialist Consultant

Policy Specialist Consultant

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

17-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six months (with possibility of extension)

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

In September 2009, the UN Secretary-General designated H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands as his Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). As UNSGSA and Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), Queen Máxima raises awareness and advocates specific policies, investments and actions with governments, regulators, private companies, international institutions and diverse additional stakeholders, all with view of how inclusive financial systems can help to reduce poverty, equalize opportunity and accelerate progress toward numerous development goals. She does so through country visits, speeches, meetings, convening of stakeholders and other outreach. This requires careful, comprehensive and rigorous analysis of local conditions, policies, available services and public priorities, as well as the needs of households, enterprises and communities.

The UNSGSA’s work is done in partnership and with wide consultation among the many stakeholders working to advance financial inclusion—and those affected by it. She collaborates closely with an advisory Reference Group of leading international organizations in financial inclusion to share expertise and suggest strategic opportunities that she can advance through advocacy and partnerships. Reference Group members include: Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Better Than Cash Alliance, Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and The World Bank.

Members of the Reference Group and many other in-country and global partners play an important role in converting advocacy into action. The UNSGSA also consults widely with UN country teams, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), financial standard setting bodies (SSBs), private financial institutions, companies, donors, and civil society organizations.

A small staff works closely with Queen Máxima and her secretariat in The Hague to coordinate and advance her UN, G20 and other activities. The office of the UNSGSA is housed at UNDP in New York and receives generous financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Policy Specialist will report to the Director of the office.

For more information on the activities and priorities of the UNSGSA, please visit: www.UNSGSA.org

The Policy Specialist will focus specifically on activities related to the Global Financial Setting Standard Bodies (SSBs) and the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI). The Policy Specialist will report to the Director, Office of the UNSGSA.

The consultancy assignment is on a part-time basis of approximately ten (10) days a month for an initial period of six months with anticipated start date of 18 September.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Provide specialized technical and policy-oriented research, analysis and advice to the UNSGSA and her Office to enhance their engagement and overall advocacy with the five key financial SSBs which have significant influence on how many poor households can access to what range and quality of formal financial services and at what cost. Support effective engagement of the UNSGSA with the SSBs especially in the areas of building and strengthening partnerships, organizing and preparing meetings and agendas, highlighting critical actions, and tracking follow up of activities related to the SSBs and FATF advocacy agenda;
Contribute to preparation of technical briefing notes, speeches/statements, talking points, and background papers for the UNSGSA’s meetings with SSBs and the G20 GPFI high profile events, ensuring that the relevant financial inclusion issues and developments are appropriately reflected and serve to support the UNSGSA’s high-level advocacy activities and outreach.
Take on the FATF agenda especially the link between financial integrity – including transparency, money laundering, terrorism financing – and the wider issue of financial inclusion;
Coordinate with the activities of the G20 GPFI and SME finance issues.
Engage with partners including the G20 GPFI, the UNSGSA’s Reference Group (especially AFI, Better Than Cash Alliance, CGAP, and the World Bank/IFC) on how to best support the UNSGSA’s advocacy efforts targeting the SSBs;
Represent the Office in meetings and events that require technical-level expertise and political astuteness;
Compile inputs from and review the accuracy and clarity of technical work submitted by counterparts/partners.

Key Expected Results:

The UNSGSA is aware of emerging developments on how the SSB’s are mainstreaming financial inclusion in their standards and guidance and how they are being applied at the country level by the regulators, central banks other interlocutors in order to facilitate the deepening of financial inclusion;
The UNSGSA is aware of strategic opportunities on how to enhance her overall cooperation and advocacy targeting the SSBs;
The UNSGSA is presented with technically accurate and concise policy notes and recommendations for high-level advocacy opportunities designed to optimally engage with the SSB’s on supporting and facilitating the enhancement of financial inclusion globally;
The UNSGSA’s trips and other outreach activities and events with the SSBs are well prepared and followed up, supported by insightful, technically rigorous and up-to-date briefs, and back ground notes;
The Office of the UNSGSA’s relationships with the SSB officials and related partners continue to deepen and expand, and the UNSGSA is well-informed of stakeholder views, priorities and activities in specific countries as well as globally.

Impact of Results

If effective, the consultant will contribute to the successful implementation of an ambitious global advocacy agenda by the UNSGSA and her office which includes encouraging the SSB’s to continue integrating financial inclusion in their global standards, regulations and guidance in order to facilitate the achievement of the goal of responsible universal financial inclusion.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UNSGSA and UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Capacity to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines even in imperfect conditions and thrive as part of a small and fast moving team;
Outstanding oral and written communication skills, with an ability to sum up key points concisely;
Success working independently and as a member of a team, and with partners in other time zones and from diverse and multi-cultural contexts, including working collaboratively;
Sense of humor and grace under pressure;
Equal enthusiasm and efficiency for any task and ability to travel and, as needed, work over weekends;
Familiarity with national financial policy, regulatory or supervisory agencies, especially global financial standard setting organizations, financial service companies and institutions, research community, multilateral organizations and the relevant donor community is an asset;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software, including Excel, Powerpoint, Word, multi-media and other applications.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Public Policy, or related fields.

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in financial inclusion and /or financial systems or other related development sectors;
Experience in applied research, policy development, and/or delivery of financial services in developing country contexts or multilateral context is preferred;
Experience and understanding of the diverse aspects of financial inclusion, with technical expertise in one or several specific sectors.
The Policy Specialist will have demonstrated excellent technical knowledge of the breadth of financial inclusion and the field of stakeholders especially the global financial setting bodies, with expertise in one or several areas through first-hand experience of working on financial inclusion;
Experience in leadership/high-level representational offices and with policy and advocacy issues at the national or global level, preferably related to financial issues although other relevant fields may be considered;
Experience in government and policy setting organizations is an asset;
Relevant experience working with international organizations, including the UN system, developing country governments, donor agencies, MFIs, and/or NGOs and other civil society groups.

Language:

Excellent command of, and drafting skills in, English is required;
Knowledge of a second UN language an advantage.

Application Submission Process:

Please submit the following to demonstrate your interest and qualifications.

Please note that all the documents below must be submitted as one PDF file:

Personal CV and/or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided;
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the consultancy and he/she will approach the key functions and produce the deliverables (max 800 words).

Financial proposal (All inclusive daily fee): Interested individuals are kindly requested to submit an all-inclusive daily consultancy fee.

Travel:

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal in a separate line.

Note:

This consultancy will be predominantly home based with no or little travel required. If the Office of the UNSGSA determines that travel is needed the Office of the UNSGSA will pay separately travel expenses (economy airfare, visas, terminal expenses, and per diems) based on standard UN rates based on actual travel.

Application Evaluation Process

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative Analysis methodology [weighted scoring method], where the award of the contract will be made to the individual 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 technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight [70%]:

Technical knowledge and relevant professional experience (40%)
Communication, analytical and strategic thinking skills (writing sample will be requested from long-listed candidates; shortlisted candidates will also be interviewed). (20%)
Education (10%).

Financial Criteria weight [30%].

Annex

Link to: General Conditions for Individual Contracts.