Background

UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and Inclusive Finance

UNCDF provides investment capital and technical support to both the public and the private sector. It provides capital financing - in the forms of grants, soft loans and credit enhancement – and the technical expertise to unleash sustainable financing at the local level.

UNCDF’s work on inclusive finance seeks to develop inclusive financial systems and ensure that a range of financial products is available to all segments of society, including low income men and women, at a reasonable cost, and on a sustainable basis. UNCDF supports a wide range of providers (e.g. microfinance institutions, banks, cooperatives, money transfer companies) and a variety of financial products and services (e.g. savings, credit, insurance, payments, and remittances). UNCDF also supports newer delivery channels (e.g. mobile phone networks) that offer tremendous potential for scale.

Making Access Possible (MAP)

“Making Access Possible” is a programme of UN Capital Development Fund, currently implemented in over a dozen of the world’s least-developed countries (LDCs). MAP is a multi-country diagnostic and programmatic framework to support expanding access to financial services for individuals and micro and small businesses. MAP has been initiated by UNCDF as one of its main programmes to enhance financial inclusion in LDCs.  A key component of the MAP programme is to provide assistance to Governments in implementing the roadmap activities identified and ensure that both donors and other stakeholders are all working towards the attainment of the priority areas identified in the roadmap.

Country level Financial Inclusion strategy and roadmap development have already been undertaken in Thailand and Myanmar in South East Asia. Presently MAP is being undertaken in Lao PDR and Cambodia. It is envisaged that apart from coordinating the MAP activities in mentioned countries, MAP will be undertaken in more ASEAN countries in the next few years.

Shaping Inclusive Finance Transformations (SHIFT)

SHIFT is a regional programme that aims to transition, by the year 2020, at least six million low-income people from using informal financial mechanisms to formal financial services to invest in economic opportunities and manage risks in the ASEAN region, with a particular focus on: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam countries (CLMV).  It is envisioned that SHIFT will deliver a rapid improvement in the level of financial inclusion as a means of reducing poverty and vulnerability in the region, through the combination of direct impact interventions and market transformation interventions. Direct impact interventions are expected to contribute to at least 1 million people accessing and using regulated financial services as a result of technical and financial assistance to financial and support service providers. Market transformational interventions are expected to contribute to an additional 5 million people accessing and using regulated financial services by the end of the programme, as a result of improved data and knowledge, better investment climate, and targeted policies to accelerate financial inclusion, and more capable and mobile human resources. The programme strategically contributes to understanding the constraints that prevent the delivery and use of financial services, and contribute to the broader transformation of the financial market to allow larger numbers of people and businesses to benefit from and contribute to the delivery and use of financial services.

Both the MAP and SHIFT programme are integrally linked to UNCDF’s core role as an implementer and a facilitator at country level. The MAP programme management unit currently oversees the development of the roadmap and the monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the global MAP programme, while also providing support at both country and regional levels for the in-country and regional teams.  With the increasing interest in MAP by stakeholders in ASEAN region, and the need to have regional based advisory and guidance to ensure successful MAP activities, there is a need to have a consultant working at South-East Asia regional level.

Data and analysis is an important component to understanding the constraints that prevent delivery and use of financial services, and can be used to inform the transformation of the financial market to allow larger numbers of people and businesses to benefit from and contribute to the delivery and use of financial services. Under SHIFT programme, one of the outputs is on Data and Analysis Hub, which also includes leveraging on MAP work to inform and design activities for SHIFT’s other outputs – mainly – Output 1 – Fund Facility and Output 4 – Policy and Advocacy. The regional consultant for the MAP programme will advise SHIFT programme team on achieving its stated programme outputs by feeding MAP information, processes and outcomes into country and ASEAN level SHIFT initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective

The Consultant is required to provide technical inputs and guidance to MAP and SHIFT Programme team at country, regional and global level for successful commencement, strategy development and roadmap implementation of Financial Inclusion initiatives by government and private sector stakeholders in South-east Asia.

Scope of Work

Key work areas will include:

  • Provide advisory and technical inputs on ASEAN MAP programme roll-out and implementation process;
  • Provide advisory services at regional level to build capacities, facilitate sharing and learning around MAP;
  • Advise country and regional level government departments, development and private organisations on roadmap implementation;
  • Based on MAP process implemented, develop and document methodologies/approaches for effective MAP implementation at country, regional and global level.

The consultant role is expected to undertake the following activities:

Provide advisory and technical inputs on ASEAN MAP programme roll-out and implementation process

  • As part of advisory in on-going MAP countries and future selected countries for launch, undertake stakeholder engagement and scoping missions;
  • Meet government, donors, private and other institutional stakeholders in the financial sector in selected new countries for identifying their financial inclusion priorities and how MAP will contribute to country level financial inclusion existing initiatives;
  • Develop roll-out and M&E plan for MAP at country and regional level, for review and approval of Global MAP Programme Advisor and SHIFT Programme Manager;
  • Provide required information to the global MAP manager to secure stakeholder buy-in and roll out of MAP in Asia;
  • Develop ToRs for country level MAP Coordinators for review and further processing by Global MAP Programme Advisor;
  • Advise National level MAP Coordinators on successfully achieving MAP milestones;
  • Provide MAP related technical inputs and information to stakeholders in countries where MAP is on-going at present;
  • Advise on technical assistance agreements for implementation of MAP activities, for approval of Global MAP Programme Advisor and SHIFT Programme Manager;
  • Provide liaison and advisory support on contracted entities (e.g. Finscope , Cenfri , National Institute of Statistics) to country based MAP team and Programme Managers, for successful input and delivery on MAP country projects;
  • Prepare relevant documents for enabling resource mobilization on MAP to be undertaken by Global MAP Programme Advisor and SHIFT Programme Manager.

 Provide advisory services at regional level to build capacities, facilitate sharing and learning around MAP:

  • Identify areas where communication of data and MAP can influence implementation strategies and policies at country and ASEAN Level feeding into SHIFT programme activities;
  • Provide inputs on regional activities to build capacity of stakeholders, facilitate sharing and learning around MAP, based on which plans can be developed;
  • As part of MAP work, advise SHIFT and MAP programme team on inclusion of UNCDF/UNDP country offices relevant staff and FI programmes in the MAP processes;
  • Identify, source data from other organisations and develop database framework that may be useful for MAP, and for Financial Inclusion strategy and roadmap development in ASEAN;
  • Provide technical inputs for organising stakeholder meetings at the country and regional levels for sharing and learning around MAP.

Advise country and regional level government departments, donors and private organisations on roadmap implementation:

  • Work with National Governments and provide technical support in developing activity plans, monitoring and evaluation framework and implementation mechanisms and reporting;
  • Provide advisory services to CTA’s in donor coordination and resource mobilization;
  • Document learnings on the roadmap implementation process, outputs and outcomes. Based on these learnings, design learning program for stakeholders;
  • Advise on Project management aspects and develop required material for assisting MAP and SHIFT team to implement planned activities on financial inclusion at country and regional level;
  • Customise training toolkit to country and regional requirements, and impart training to Country MAP coordinator on MAP coordination, implementation, liasoning and sharing activities.

Based on MAP process implemented, develop and document methodologies/approaches for effective MAP implementation at country, regional and global level:

  • Based on country and regional requirements in South-east Asia, customise data collection and reporting mechanisms for use by country level stakeholders, MAP and SHIFT regional, and MAP Global programme team;
  • Develop methodologies/approaches for effective MAP implementation and contribute this to the development of the global MAP programme;
  • Document learnings from MAP work in ASEAN, and provide ongoing input into the development of the MAP global programme through the planned Hub.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

  • MAP scoping report for selected new countries;
  • MAP roadmap country M&E templates;
  • MAP ASEAN knowledge management plan;
  • Periodic Coordination note on Donor and national meetings for SHIFT and MAP.

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will be working under the guidance of the MAP PMU and UNCDF’s SHIFT programme. The consultant will have primary reporting into the SHIFT Programme Manager and Senior Regional Technical Advisor for Asia based in Bangkok, Thailand and technical reporting into the Global MAP Programme Advisor based in Johannesburg, South Africa.  UNCDF will be responsible for sharing any outputs among stakeholders.

Duration of the Work: 2 years with possibility of extension of another year, The consultant will be required to work for the maximum of 21 days/ month and 252 days/year

Duty Station:

  • Bangkok, Thailand.

Places of travel:

The consultant may be required to travel. Destinations shall be assigned and approved prior to travel.

Competencies

  • Proven track record of undertaking scoping and assessments of country financial sector and financial inclusion;
  • Strong report writing and analytical skills;
  • Strong financial analysis and business project appraisal skills is an advantage;
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
  • Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
  • Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;
  • Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
  • Positive, constructive attitude to work;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master's degree or bachelor's degree in Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

  • With Masters, a minimum 5 years and with Bachelor, a minimum of 7 years of relevant, practical working experience of market scoping and assessment of the financial sector;
  • Extensive (at least 8 year) experience of managing financial inclusion programmes, particularly at the retail level;
  • Previous experience of engaging and work with Central Bank and government ministries at senior levels for financial inclusion programming;
  • Relevant experience in ASEAN is an advantage;
  • Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills, including solid experience in financial management;
  • Familiarity with UN/UNCDF rules and procedures is an advantage.

Language:

  • Excellent command of the English language, with outstanding written and oral communication skills.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Daily Fee.

It shall specify:

  • Daily fees;
  • Per month living expenses in Bangkok;
  • One time return travel fare (direct route, most economical fare) from home base to Bangkok.

Payment will be made on periodical basis based on number of days worked. upon verification of completion of deliverables and approval by the IC’s supervisor of a Time Sheet indicating the days worked in the period. In general, UNCDF shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In general, UNCDF shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.All travel expenses incurred by the consultant based on travel plan agreed for assignment in each quarter, will be reimbursed to the consultant by UNCDF.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%).

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 700 points):

  • Criteria 1 : Relevant professional experience - Minimum 5 years of relevant, practical working experience for Master's degree and minimum 7 years of relevant experience for bachelor degree of market scoping and assessment of the financial sector  (150 points). Each additional year is scored for 10 additional points, but not more than 200 points in summary- max 200 points;
  • Criteria 2: Extensive (at least 8 year) experience of managing financial inclusion programmes, particularly at the retail level (100 points). Each additional year is scored for 10 additional points, but not more than 150 points in summary- max 150 points;
  • Criteria 3: Previous experience of engaging and work with Central Bank and government ministries at senior levels for financial inclusion programming. (80 points for one country experience, 10 additional points for each additional country, but not more than 150 points in summary)- max 150 points;
  • Criteria 4: Relevant experience in ASEAN and familiarity with UN/UNCDF rules and procedures is an advantage. (30 points for one country experience in ASEAN, 10 additional points for each additional ASEAN country, but not more than 80 points; 20 points if has familiarity with UN/UNCDF rules and procedures). - Max 100 points;
  • Criteria 5: Prior experience in undertaking similar MAP related assignment (50 points for one country, 10 additional points for each additional country, but not more than 100 points in summary). - Max 100 points.

Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNCDF for the assignment. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 technical points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required:

  • Letter to UNCDF Confirming Interest and Availability;
  • Financial proposal – please refer to Annex 2 (Finance Proposal);
  • Personal CV or P11, including past experience in similar projects and at least 2 references (or contact information of at least 2 people who could provide a reference upon request). CV shall include the following information: applicant’s name, address and contact details, educational background, experience in the related to the assignment fields, competencies and professional skills.

 Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Annexes:

 For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to brh.gef.procurement@undp.org