UNCDF Jobs - 56825- Technical Specialist (Financial Inclusion, PFIP) U

Technical Specialist (Financial Inclusion, PFIP) UNCDF

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

12-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (renewable)

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

The Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) is a joint programme of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). PFIP receives funding support from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the European Union (EU), and the New Zealand Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The purpose of the PFIP is to increase access to sustainable, appropriate and affordable financial services by low-income and rural people in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). PFIP does this by providing technical advice and assistance to public and private stakeholders and by making performance-based grants to financial service providers. The primary countries of focus of the PFIP are Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Solomon Islands (SOI), Tonga and Vanuatu.

PFIP is managed by the Pacific Financial Inclusion Adviser (PFIA), based in the UNDP Pacific Centre in Suva, Fiji, with close support of a Suva-based team, as well as out-posted staff PNG, Samoa and SOI. PFIP reports to an Investment Committee consisting of its donors and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. More information on PFIP may be found at www.pfip.org.

The first phase of PFIP ended in June 2014. As a result of strong partnerships across the region with central banks, governments, donors and the private sector (e.g. banks, mobile network operators, etc.) PFIP was able to achieve its goal of reaching 500,000 people with affordable, appropriate and sustainable financial services. PFIP has embarked on its second phase from July 2014 to 2019 where it will aim to deepen financial access to an additional 500,000 previously unbanked, low-income people in the region.

In accordance with the PFIP programme document and plans, the Financial Inclusion Specialist (FIS) will assist PFIP in achieving its outcomes through leading the ongoing work in financial inclusion in PNG. The FIS will also work closely with The Bank of PNG (BPNG) and partner organization Center for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) to fulfill national financial inclusion plans and commitments, including the National Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy Strategy, the 2020 Money Pacific Goals and PNG’s Maya Declaration.

The FIS will be based in the UNDP country office in Port Moresby, PNG and will have primary responsibility for managing and overseeing PFIP’s activities in PNG. The person will play a significant role in engaging a wide range of stakeholders ranging from policy makers, financial service providers, associations, and donor agencies. In particular, the person will be the main point of contact between the PFIP and UNDP in PNG, the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), the Microfinance Expansion Project (MEP) and the National Centre for Financial Inclusion (NCFI).

The FIS will work with a cross-section of partners to develop and strengthen initiatives through a variety of efforts, including but not limited to; supportive regulatory reform, research and sector assessment, quality and range of new and existing financial products and services, usage of and access to such products and services by the underserved, consumer protection and financial literacy. The FIS will develop and manage the country portfolio of financial inclusion activities, in conjunction with the PFIP regional team in Suva, and will play a significant role in engaging a wide range of stakeholders ranging from policy makers, regulators, government agencies, financial service providers, telecommunication companies, business associations, NGOs and donor agencies.

As part of PFIP team, the Financial Inclusion Specialist will contribute to knowledge management and sharing of experiences to promote the best practices in financial inclusion and assist in regional activities of the PFIP, including travel to the UNDP Pacific Centre in Fiji and other Pacific Island Countries.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Donor Coordination and Partnership management support and events planning entailing regular contact with partners through electronic and personal contact and resulting in well executed workshops, conferences and other learning;
Participate in the identification, development and oversight of a diverse mix of strong projects that support PFIP outcomes;
Monitor progress of projects and initiatives – ensuring that projects are running on time and smoothly, problems are identified early and remedial steps proposed;
Manage financial inclusion research. Facilitate the flow of information and knowledge between key stakeholders in research efforts and assist in organizing and where necessary, conducting, surveys, focus groups, workshops, research results presentations and knowledge exchange events. Assist in the planning and execution of PFIP events;
Provide UNCDF corporate support under the direction of the PFIA, including fulfilling reporting requirements, logistical support for all PFIP in-country travel and assistance with fundraising.

Donor Coordination and Partnership management support and events planning / Regular contact with partners through electronic and personal contact and well executed workshops, conferences and other learning events.

Under the guidance of the PFIP regional team and framework, build effective and efficient partnerships at the operational level with main funders and stakeholders at country and regional levels, including but not limited to the members of the Central Bank and the members of the Pacific Access to Finance Donor Group, which includes Australian Government, ADB, European Investment Bank, IFC, IMF, UNCDF, and the New Zealand Government to coordinate financial inclusion activities in-country, including financial literacy, advocacy and related activities;
Provide assistance where required to the above-mentioned partners and their consultants operating within the country. Document and share experience on partnership interactions as input into corporate business intelligence;
Work closely with the UN Resident Coordinator in strengthening and integrating financial inclusion outcomes in national programming;
Develop and maintain partnerships with relevant regional and national stakeholders, for sharing of experience and to promote coordination of activities in the area of financial inclusion. Key stakeholders include PIFS, Finance Ministries, Central Banks, telecommunication companies, microfinance service providers, FSPs, and donors;
Maintain regular contact with partners, including updating listserv and monitoring listservs, managing contact/consultant data base, and liaising with PFIP knowledge management and communications team;
Identify key knowledge constraints and organize learning, knowledge exchange, training, workshops, etc. to build the capacity and interest in relevant themes. (i.e. consumer rights and protection; financial inclusion policy, best practices, monitoring and evaluation, etc.);
Maintain close partnership and relationship ties with the BPNG in order to support interest in the development and execution of the national financial inclusion strategy to expand financial inclusion in PNG;
Manage learning, advocacy events and publications on financial inclusion issues;
Builds and support partnerships through regular interaction with stakeholders and assists in the planning and execution of PFIP events in country.

With the PFIP Team, participate in the identifying, vetting, and assessing new projects/ a diverse mix of strong projects that support PFIP’s outcomes.

Working with donors and stakeholders, develop a pipeline of potential projects that help PFIP achieve its outcomes. Projects will be related to branchless banking, mobile phone banking, inclusive insurance, remittances and potentially other areas;
With the PFIP team, work with shortlisted partners to develop strong financial inclusion projects that reach low income and rural households, including a high percentage of women and youth;
Champion new projects, as assigned by the PFIA and conduct verification visits and due diligence of grant applicants;
Prepare project appraisal documents for presentation to the PFIP Investment Committee. These projects will involve private sector partners, such as banks, mobile network operators, insurance companies and non-bank financial institutions amongst others;
Assist in preparing grant and performance based agreement documentation for approved partners.

Monitor progress of projects and initiatives / Projects are running on time and smoothly, problems are identified early and remedial steps proposed.

With the PFIP Team, manage a reporting schedule for partners and monitor the receipt and quality of reports. Provide analysis and feedback to partners;
Undertake regular contact with partners to monitor the implementation of projects supported by grants from PFIP. Assist partners in fulfilling reporting requirements, including to the Mix Market. Monitoring shall be made against quantifiable benchmarks and efficiency indicators agreed in the grant agreement – including the validation of grantees progress reports;
Based on the findings of the monitoring visits, prepare regular progress reports for the purpose of reporting to the Investment Committee by project management.

Manage financial inclusion research. Knowledge generation and knowledge sharing. PFIP and stakeholders are informed on current trends, market conditions, and special topics as needed.

Carry out or oversee research and studies, independently or as a counterpart to consultant(s) hired by PFIP, on various issues relating to financial inclusion in PNG. These may include financial services sector assessments, financial competency surveys, studies of branchless banking and mobile phone banking, agent networks, government to people payments, client preferences and uptake of financial services; micro-insurance supply and demand studies;
Provide support in organizing in-country events to disseminate knowledge and results of research, including venue and support services identification, lists invitees and invitation process;
Develop “information exchange events” for financial inclusion stakeholders;
Contribute to PFIP technical notes and other publications, highlighting challenges, opportunities and successes in country;
Identify stakeholders from PNG to participate in knowledge sharing opportunities, assist in managing the logistics of their participation;
Contribute, as appropriate, to global knowledge sharing to spread the information on PNG experience in financial inclusion.

UNCDF corporate support. Provide support to PFIP management on corporate initiatives and activities.

With the concurrence of UNCDF and the UN Resident Coordinator, to represent UNCDF on the UN Country Team in the promotion of a One UN agenda;
Generate and manage donor reporting on PFIP programme activities in PNG;
Build an effective partnership with the UN Country Office in PNG;
Provide advice and input from country perspective on project management/performance issues, planning and monitoring portfolio performance results for Unit and UNCDF annual/cumulative ROAR and Unit and regional work plan and UNCDF Business Plan;
As needed support PFIP team in fulfilling planning and reporting requirements to the Investment Committee, UNDP, UNCDF and its other funders.

Impact of Results

Results of the work of the Financial Inclusion Specialist will be a significant contribution to the PFIP achieving its outcome of additional 500,000 low-income clients served in the Pacific. This will require the development of strong projects funded by the PFIP operating under an improved enabling environment. It also will result in the effective and efficient coordination of donor and stakeholder activities in PNG to maximize impact of financial inclusion. The FIS shall contribute to developing and executing an exit strategy from its activities so that its initiatives can be carried forward by regional and national stakeholders.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Creates effective advocacy strategies;
Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Contributing to results through provision of information

Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration;
Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals;
Participates in the formulation of project proposals.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Identifying and building partnerships

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNCDF’s mandate and strategic agenda;
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
Promotes UNCDF’s agenda in inter-agency meetings.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Developing new approaches

Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals;
Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations;
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNCDF Goals

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

Client Orientation

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Technical Competencies:

Ability to develop project documents, corresponding budgets, and monitoring and evaluation plans;
Working knowledge of current developments in inclusive finance, including one or more of the following: branchless banking, micro-insurance, social performance, financial literacy;
Working knowledge of international donor organizations and development partners and preferably experience in preparing proposals for funding.
Demonstrated broad knowledge of development issues, especially in the areas of poverty alleviation and local development;
Excellent analytical skills with proven ability to manage projects;
Comprehensive understanding of the project management cycle and managing for results.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all persons fairly without favoritism;
Shows strong corporate commitment; and
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNCDF and UNDP.
Ability to address gender equality and empowerment of women considerations in strategic and operational activities of UNCDF.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Master’s degree in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, or related discipline.

Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in progressively more responsible positions in the banking, finance or development field, including in financial inclusion;
Experience working in or with microfinance institutions, or financial inclusion support projects;
Ability to develop project documents, corresponding budgets, and monitoring and evaluation plans;
Experience in monitoring development projects with financial component, conducting basic financial analysis, establishing and monitoring performance-based indicators, and investigating impact;
Working knowledge of current developments in inclusive finance, including one or more of the following: branchless banking, micro-insurance, social performance, financial literacy;
Working experience and knowledge of socio-economic issues, which results in the exclusion of various groups, in particular women, from the financial sector and ability to generate strategies to address those issues; and
Working knowledge of international donor organizations and development partners and preferably experience in preparing proposals for funding;
Demonstrated broad knowledge of development issues, especially in the areas of poverty alleviation and local development;
Excellent analytical skills with proven ability to manage projects;
Strong IT skills, including ability to work regularly with MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint;
Experience in the Pacific is preferred.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English.

Note:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload (as a *pdf attachment) the completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded fromhttp://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx Completion of all the fields is required.

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.