Background

Although there is significant literature related to post conflict or natural disaster affected states microfinance[1], based on recent developments it is timely to review and update the key lessons learned and guidance for policy-makers[2].   The recent developments include, but are not limited to: 1) the expansion of digital payments and mobile money; 2) developments and innovations in government and/or development organizations to people payments (G2P and D2P), particularly in situations of post-conflict and natural disasters; 3) potential lessons to be extracted from recent efforts to expand inclusive finance in post-conflict countries (e.g. Afghanistan, South Sudan) or post natural disaster (e.g. Pakistan, Haiti); 4) efforts to use ‘apex’ mechanisms to support sector development; and 5) the expansion of savings-groups methodology.

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 48 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 programmes help to empower women, and are designed to catalyze larger capital flows from the private sector, national governments and development partners, for maximum impact toward the Millennium Development Goals.

[1] See  http://www.microfinancegateway.org/site-search?type=All&search_api_views_fulltext=post+confict , or http://www.microfinancegateway.org/site-search?type=All&search_api_views_fulltext=natural+disasters for example.

[2] http://www.cgap.org/sites/default/files/CGAP-Donor-Brief-Supporting-Microfinance-in-Conflict-Affected-Areas-Dec-2004.pdf

Duties and Responsibilities

The reference group[1] for the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA)[2] Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has tasked UNCDF with coordinating the preparation of this policy guidance note.   UNCDF has also been actively involved in supporting the development of inclusive financial sectors in several post-conflict countries (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Timor Leste, Nepal, South Sudan) and in studying the potential for mobile money in disaster preparedness in Fiji.   UNCDF would like an independent review of that looks not only at the experience in some of these countries, but equally lessons from other actors (UNDP, WFP, OCHA, World Bank, CGAP, bi-lateral funders) and other countries (e.g., Haiti, Pakistan) where UNCDF has not been engaged.  UNCDF seeks guidance on the following questions:

• Is the guidance (noted above, for donors) still relevant, or what updates should be made based on the five (5) recent developments noted above?
• What additional guidance is relevant to government policy-makers seeking to rebuild their countries, post-conflict or post natural disaster?  How would those lessons learned and key messages be tailored, distinct from previous key messages to donors?
• Have apexes served as effective mechanisms to support development and harmonize donor funding in post-conflict settings?   Examples to examine include:  MISFA (Afghanistan), MITAF (Sierra Leone), SSMDF (South Sudan).
• How has post-conflict or post-disaster assistance been structured (whether in-kind, in-cash, or in-electronic payment) so as to pave the way for future access and use of financial services?  If not, what have been the lessons learned that would be relevant for structuring post-crisis support to lead to greater financial inclusion?
• Has branchless banking / mobile money proven to be a ‘game changer’ in any post conflict or natural disaster affected states rebuilding to date?  At what stage could branchless banking / mobile financial services be introduced? What have been the critical conditions for the successful deployment of those approaches, or were the reasons for their failure? What key lessons can be derived from those approaches?
• What institutional types of financial service providers (FSPs), formal or informal, and/or mobile network operators (MNOs), or others have shown sufficient resiliency to withstand shocks that might reoccur, after (post-conflict or post-disaster) rebuilding has started?   Commercial banks, NGOs, credit unions, savings groups?   Credit vs. savings lead institutions?  Mobile network operators or payment services providers with digital finance?
• Given that many post conflict affected states have suffered disruptions in education systems, and are characterized by a small pool of high cost skilled human resources, do savings groups[3] offer a methodology for expanding financial services less dependent on skilled management?
• What financial products (remittances, salary payments, domestic payments, savings, credit, insurance, social transfers) are most likely to be most in demand in post-conflict environments, and thus lead products for driving financial inclusion?
• Which financial products (remittances, salary payments, domestic payments, savings, credit, insurance, social transfers) are best suited to help mitigate against and be in demand post-natural disaster and thus lead products for driving financial inclusion?

The proposed deliverables (below) will include addressing these questions. The report should be structured as a comprehensive Policy Guidance Note, segmented by post-conflict and natural disaster responses as appropriate, with clear analysis around the above questions (what has worked, what has not and why), and provided in a user friendly structure that could support decision making process for key stakeholders (policy maker, development partners and providers).

[1] http://www.unsgsa.org/about/partners

[2] http://www.unsgsa.org/.   Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands is the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). She is a leading global champion and spokesperson for the essential role of financial services in alleviating poverty, fostering equitable economic growth, and furthering diverse development goals including environmental sustainability, food security, clean water, good health and universal education.

[3] http://www.cgap.org/blog/savings-groups.

Competencies

• Knowledge of recent developments of mobile money and/or digital payments;
• Solid understanding of good practice in financial inclusion;
• Ability to write clearly and concisely in English for policy makers;
• Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master Degree in economics, finance, political science, international relations or equivalent.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven years relevant professional experience;
• Experience in post conflict and/or natural disaster affected states.

Language:

• Proficiency in English;
• Ability to write clearly and concisely in English for policy makers.

Budget: 

This contract will be based on the consultant’s daily fee, and proposed number of days to complete the assignment, which should be specified in the consultant’s proposal to UNCDF.

It is estimated that the number of days needed to complete the assignment will total not less than 65 days and not exceed 80 days, beginning as soon as possible and completed as soon as possible, but in any case not later than mid-May 2015.

This consultancy will be predominately home-based, with no travel required.   If UNCDF determines that travel is needed, UNCDF will pay separately travel expenses [economy airfare, visas, terminal expenses and per diems] based on standard UN rates based on actual travel.

Deliverables

The deliverables, all in English, include:

• A short inception report (maximum 10 pages), summarizing the approach and methodology the consultant will adopt in conducting the assignment as well as key dates for delivering against the milestones noted below;
• Literature review—annotated bibliography—knowledge map organized into selected publications and topic areas related to this terms of reference;
•  Summary of interview findings, based on agreed upon list of interviewees proposed in the inception report;
• Draft outline, for the Policy Brief, including pages per topic;
• Draft note:  Findings, Main Lessons Learned and Policy Recommendations;
• Final Policy Guidance Note;
• Case studies (at least 4 countries—2 for post-conflict and 2 for post-natural disaster—that support the recommendations in the policy brief).

The consultant’s contractual obligations are complete once UNCDF has reviewed and approved the Final Policy Guidance Note for quality and completeness as per the TOR.

Timeline Key Dates:

The consultancy should start by 20th October 2014, and present an inception report by 27th  October 2014.  All deliverables should be completed not later than 15 May 2015, specific date to be agreed during inception report.         

Interested applicants should send their C.V. clearly highlights how they meet the competencies noted above, and notes their daily rate [in U.S. dollars] and number of days to complete the assignment at the top of the C.V.  by the deadline of: 1 October 2014

Applicants should expect to be notified by 14th October 2014 of their selection for the consultancy.

Evaluation Scoring:

• Technical evaluation based on competencies, experience and education (70%);
• Financial evaluation based on daily fee quoted by applicant (30%).

Total score: 100%.

Application Requirements:

• Offeror’s letter confirming interest and availability form can be found here: http://uncdf.org/en/hiring-consultants;
• Updated CV;
• Daily fee and proposed number of days (between 65 to 80) to complete the assignment,

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