Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 49 least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their businesses by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. 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.

The Better Than Cash Alliance is an alliance of governments, companies and international organizations committed to accelerating the shift from cash to electronic payments.

Billions of dollars in cash payments are made daily in emerging and developing economies, including payment of salaries, social welfare and relief, payments to suppliers, etc. The problems with these cash payments include a lack of transparency, accountability and security, as well as inefficiency.

Furthermore, the individuals who receive the cash are excluded from the formal financial sector. There were approximately 2.5 billion people excluded from the formal financial sector in 2012.

Shifting these payments from cash to electronic has the potential to improve the livelihoods of low-income people by advancing financial inclusion and enabling people to save, while giving governments, the development community and the private sector a more efficient, transparent and often safer means of disbursing payments

The Better Than Cash Alliance seeks to leverage the leadership of governments, the networks of development organizations and the expertise of the private sector in payment technologies to replace the use of cash in their programming and payment streams with electronic payments, where appropriate. It also seeks to build the financial capability of low-income clients who will benefit from electronic payments and a wider range of financial services.

The Better Than Cash Alliance:

  • Advocates for the use of all forms of electronic payments where they provide a preferable payment option to cash;
  • Collaborates with program partners to mobilize available technical expertise and resources to identify and implement the most effective approach to make the transition from cash to electronic payments;  and
  • Conducts research, documents good practices and produces knowledge products to address the barriers to adoption and drive the effective shift from cash to electronic payments globally.

The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) serves as secretariat for the Alliance.  For more information please visit the website: 

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Responsibilities:

  • Work closely with BTCA Secretariat and its Executive Committee to secure G20 emerging market countries to join the Alliance.  Efforts will focus on priority countries determined by BTCA, building on efforts to date and expressed national interests;
  • As memberships are secured, develop a longer-term strategy for how BTCA can most helpfully support G20 and other members in implementing their commitments and in increasing their regional and global leadership on the benefits of digital payments.

Deliverables:

The consultant will initially focus on one country, working closely and flexibly with BTCA.  As work progresses, similar deliverables may be agreed for additional country(ies). 

  • Develop a concise strategy and concrete action plan with respective roles to engage the first priority country to be identified by the BTCA Managing Director.  Review key messages and tasks - Week 1;
  • Deepen the understanding of how to align interests behind joining BTCA:  Conduct outreach to government and thought leaders in country through emails, phone conversations and in person meetings to refine understanding of national priorities, engagement opportunities, key decision makers and any concerns.  Refine key messages as needed in consultation with BTCA. Insights will be shared to BTCA through emails and conversations, and summarized in a status report - Week 2 and ongoing;
  • Advance and help secure membership in BTCA: This may include formal and informal meetings and engagements with government authorities, business executives, multinational stakeholders and other influencers in the agenda. Report back regularly on conversations and recommended adjustments to outreach, such as further actions for BTCA staff and board members - Week 4  - onward);
  • Develop a longer-term written strategy for how BTCA can support individual G20 member countries as well as other members collectively in implementing their commitments and increasing their regional and global leadership on the benefits of digital payments. This may include, for example, sharing experiences.  (As membership is secured.);

Work Arrangements:

The project will begin as soon as possible, will be part-time/intermittent for up to 12 months.  Consultant will report to the BTCA Managing Director.  Work periods and dates for deliverables will be agreed upon by both parties as each stage of work advances and depending on emerging needs. 

The Senior Consultant will be home-based and be available for US travel (New York, Washington DC) and international trips to Mexico, Indonesia, China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Turkey.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants;
  • Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

  • Excels at working with at the highest level across government, as well as with executives of business, international organizations and civil society.  Experience working directly with ministers of finance, governors of central bank, executive offices and other senior leaders and their staff essential.  Must be versed in national agenda setting and decision making processes;
  • Fully versed in policy, program and technical implementation issues of financial inclusion and the digital agenda at a global level and in G20 emerging market countries;
  • Strong professional spokesperson, able to convey the views of the BTCA while respecting and advancing national priorities;
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.    

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

  • Post-graduate degree in the field of public administration, political science, public policy and/or any other relevant field.
  • A first level-University degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Experience working with G20 senior leadership on financial inclusion and digital finance agendas, as well as with the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion.  Priority will be given to experience working with G20 emerging market countries including Mexico, Indonesia, South Africa or India.
  • In depth experience developing and implementing international strategic communications initiatives required as well as experience leading successful advocacy on financial systems policy.
  • UN or Government experience required.

Language:

  • Fluency in English. Knowledge of another UN language desirable.

Application and Evaluation:

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

  • Copy of the updated and detailed CV.

The selection will be based on a combined scoring method, where the qualifications will be weighted 70% and combined with the price offer which will be weighted 30%.  Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications/competencies will be evaluated based on the below technical evaluation criteria.

Desk Review   40%:

  • Demonstrated senior experience working with G20 senior leadership on financial inclusion and digital finance agendas, as well as with the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion – 120 points;
  • Experience working on policy and advocacy with G20 emerging economies – 100 points;
  • Demonstrated experience in working with high level government officails including ministers of finance, governors of central bank, executive offices and other senior leaders and their staff - 80 points.
  • The top 3 candidates who pass in the desk review, with a minimum score of 210 points, will be invited to take part in the interview.

Interview 30%

Financial proposal 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on technical part (desk review and interview) will be considered as technically qualified and will be requested to submit their Financial proposal for further evaluation.
The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

  • p = y (µ/z), where;
  • p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated;
  • y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal;
  • µ = price of the lowest priced proposal;
  • z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

For Information: