UNCDF Jobs - 60947- Technical Specialist (Financial Inclusive and Digi

Technical Specialist (Financial Inclusive and Digital Financial Services) UNCDF

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Freetown, SIERRA LEONE

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2015

Application Deadline :

28-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

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 United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is a UN organization with a capital mandate (unique in the UN System) focused on reducing poverty and inequality first and foremost in the least developed countries (“LDC”s). To support the realization of UNCDF’s Business Plan and drive the rapid expansion of the organization’s capacity to assist LDCs to meet their graduation goals, respond to LDC demand for its services, and increase its geographical coverage of and average investment size in LDCs, UNCDF requires a partnership and business development strategy. This strategy encompasses specific, and interlinked, strategies for partnerships, branding and communications, and resource mobilization, which capitalize on mandate-specific partnership building, inter-governmental/client relations, and specific business development opportunities.

Against this backdrop, UNCDF/FIPA (Financial Inclusion Practice Area) provides seed capital and technical support through Inclusive Finance programmes to ensure that more households and small business gain access to financial services that expand opportunities and reduce vulnerabilities. Its ability to provide risk capital directly to the private sector is helping bring new financial products to underserved and hard to reach markets and spurring innovations. Through flexible grant and loan instruments, UNCDF supports a wide range of providers (e.g. FSPs, banks, cooperatives, money transfer companies, and mobile networks operators) and financial products and services (e.g. savings, credit, insurance, payment services, remittances).

UNCDF/FIPA manages a number of initiatives related to digital financial (DF) that are part of the UNCDF community of practice related to digital financial services (DFS), and this position will be a member of that community of practice. These projects, which may or may not have direct activities in-country, include:

Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P): A global thematic initiative to address the opportunities and challenges of implementing branchless banking and mobile money in challenging markets in Africa and Asia. MM4P’s long-term mission is to help low income and rural households in LDCs increase their financial security through appropriate, affordable and secure means to receive, manage and save money through these “digital financial services” (DFS). MM4P is currently active in Liberia.

Better Than Cash Alliance: 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. Sierra Leone has recently made a commitment to join the BTCA.

These two UNCDF programmes are collaborating together at country level.

The purpose of the role of the Country Technical Specialist is to strengthen UN presence on the country level and to provide technical and strategic support related to financial inclusion and digital finance to UN agencies, the Government and the development community. The Country Technical Specialist will support UNCDFs role as policy advisor to UNDP on financial inclusion and as the technical lead on financial inclusion among the UN agencies in the country. The Specialist will work towards promoting the financial inclusion agenda of the country as well as to provide technical advice to national institutions such as the Central Bank.

One of the most important tasks of the Country Technical Specialist on short to medium term will be related to the post-Ebola recovery strategies and projects in each of the three Ebola epicenter countries Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. These three West African countries are experiencing the largest and most fatal outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to date. Over 25,000 people have been affected to and over 10,000 have died as a result of the disease. Whereas Liberia is currently not experiencing any cases, the risk of human-to-human transmission of the outbreak cannot be considered eliminated until all three countries have reached zero cases.

UNCDF will employ Country Technical Specialists in each of these countries, and the three specialists will collaborate closely together as a team of technical experts.

In support of the UNs mission to fight the disease, UNCDF has provided technical support to UNDP to set up the UNDP Payment Programme to Ebola Response Workers (PPERW) that is establishing information management systems, improving communications and reinforcing payment systems in the three countries. Where no other options were feasible, the PPERW project also steps in as a last resort to make payments. As the Ebola recovery phase takes over from the response phase, the PPERW project will make way for more long-term efforts focusing on financial inclusion.

It is estimated that a large volume of cash transfers (both digital and physical cash transfer payments) will be made by a large number of different actors and for a variety of purposes as part of different social protection and livelihoods programmes in the Ebola recovery phase. These include both unconditional and conditional cash transfers to vulnerable groups (including survivors, families who have lost members to the disease and orphans) and rural communities, with a focus on women and youth.

In order for these cash transfers to contribute to laying the foundation of a financially inclusive society in the affected countries, it is of utmost importance that these cash transfers are harmonized and conducted in the most financially inclusive manner possible. This will allow the affected countries to strengthen resilience and is an important opportunity for the countries to “build back better”.

Financial inclusion and strengthening of the financial sector is an integral part of the Ebola recovery strategies related to social protection and livelihoods of UN agencies. Through the Country Technical Specialist, UNCDF will provide technical expertise and support to the design and implementation of these strategies on country level and act as the coordinator of financial inclusion efforts in the affected countries.

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This is a Development Project funded position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Acts as a lead technical resource for Financial Inclusion/Digital Financial Services (FI/DFS) and coordinator for U.N Agencies, funders and other stakeholders working in Ebola Recovery or (FI/DFS) in country. Ensures integration of digital payments and financial inclusion in post-Ebola cash transferring and broader post-Ebola recovery strategies;
Works with key stakeholders to develop and implement National Strategies for Financial Inclusion/Digital Finance, meeting global commitments (e.g. Maya Declaration, or other national commitments.);
Conducts and/or manages financial inclusion diagnostics and research efforts in country. Facilitates the flow of information and knowledge between key stakeholders (local, regional and international) in research efforts and assists in organizing local surveyors, focus groups and workshops related to research;
Donor Coordination and Partnership management support: Identifies potential interventions which will promote greater financial inclusion, including digitizing cash transfers by government and development partners, and monitors progress of funded projects and activities in country and, ensures on-time performance of partners through timely technical assistance;
Identifies, vets, and assesses new investments/ a diverse mix of strong FI/DFS projects that support a strong ecosystem of financial inclusion outcomes;
Provides corporate support under the direction of, and report to, the UNCDF Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) in Dakar, including fulfilling reporting requirements and assisting with fundraising.

Acts as a lead technical resource for Financial Inclusion/Digital Financial Services (FI/DFS) and coordinator for U.N Agencies, funders and other stakeholders working in Ebola Recovery or FI/DFS in the country:

Act as the lead on financial inclusion in the UN system and the technical expert on financially inclusive cash transfers;
Ensure, through technical support, advice and advocacy, the integration of digital payments and financial inclusion in post-Ebola cash transferring and broader post-Ebola recovery strategies for U.N Agencies, funders ad other stakeholders working in Ebola Recovery or FI/DFS in the country;
Assist in design, resource mobilization, implementation and partnership building of Ebola recovery, FI/DFS and cash transfer programming;
Work together with the PPERW project to ensure that the payments to Ebola response workers are conducted in a financially inclusive manner;
Ensure that cash transfer beneficiaries in the U.N agencies post-Ebola recovery efforts receive funds into accounts which have financial inclusion characteristics to the greatest degree possible;
Maximize the degree to which beneficiaries receive additional FI-oriented services with linkages to improved livelihoods or financial capacity building partners such as financial education materials and opportunities to utilize financial services (especially savings and insurance);
Involve private sector financial services delivery channels in financially inclusive cash transfer programming, including strengthening these delivery channels as appropriate and needed;
Maximize the degree to which investments in payments and transfer programmes can result in a sustainable beneficial impact on the country (for instance through establishment of access points, strengthening of infrastructure and improvements in communications);
Advise and assist in developing national strategies and policies for financial inclusion that takes into account digitalization of social protection payments and strengthen supervisory capacity of regulators in areas related to FI/DFS;
Liaise and cooperate with the UNCDF Country Technical Specialists in the other Ebola-affected countries.

Supports Key Stakeholders to develop and implement National Financial Inclusion/Digital Financial Services Strategies:

Based on research and diagnostic studies, assist key stakeholders to develop and implement National Strategies for Financial Inclusion/Digital Finance, meeting global commitments (e.g. Maya Declaration, or national commitments.);
Contribute to legal and regulatory stocktaking efforts in host countries and share with others;
Support key Government counterparts (Central Bank, Ministry of Finance) to lead consultative processes with all stakeholders (private sector, FSPs, funders) engaged in, or supporting the development of inclusive financial sectors;
Work with stakeholders to get input and build support for the Host Country Strategies, building a common approach on financial inclusion;
Support Government in implementation of the strategies.

Research and Information Sharing / Conducting and managing financial inclusion diagnostics in country:

Carry out or oversee diagnostics, research and studies, independently or as a counterpart to consultant(s) hired by UNCDF, on various issues and undertakings relating to financial inclusion/digital financial services in the country. These will include financial sector services assessments; studies of branchless banking, mobile phone banking, agent networks, client uptake of mobile financial services; financial competency surveys; micro insurance supply and demand studies; and assisting in oversight of financial diaries (household cash flow studies);
Strengthen analysis of the gender impact at family and community level of the introduction of new products and services;
Facilitates the flow of information and knowledge between key stakeholders (local, regional and international) in research efforts and assists in organizing local surveyors, focus groups and workshops related to research;
Monitor listservs, websites and other global information sources related to financial inclusion and digital financial services to identify promising practices, partnerships or opportunities for the country;
Identify learning, training, and knowledge sharing opportunities for UNCDF and in-country partners and financial resources for the same;
Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on behalf of UNCDF through identification and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned;
Develop TORs for consultants;
Manage learning and 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 UNCDF events in country. In concert with UNCDF’s knowledge manager and Communications Office, ensure UNCDF’s work is publicized appropriately and highlights linkages to the wider UN family.

Donor Coordination and Partnership management support:

Build effective and efficient partnerships at the operational level with major donor agencies to coordinate financial inclusion and digital financial services (FI/DFS), including financial literacy, activities in country. Act as point of first contact for these agencies on issues related to FI/DFS and their consultants operating within the country. Document and share experience on partnership interactions as input into corporate business intelligence;
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 and digital financial services (FI/DFS). Key stakeholders include Finance Ministries, Central Banks, telecommunication companies, microfinance service providers, Financial Service Providers, donors, and U.N. Agencies. Maintain regular contact with partners, including updating listserv and monitoring listservs, managing contact/consultant data base, and liaising with PC knowledge management and communications team;
Acts as primary resource person for Financial Inclusion/Digital Financial Services (FI/DFS) in the assigned countries for UNCDF, UNDP and other U.N. Agencies and funders, helping to provide information, make introductions, coordinating efforts around FI/DFS;
Design, resource mobilization, implementation and partnership building of Ebola recovery and potential next stage programming. Generates new investment proposals/projects that support broad-based financial inclusion/digital financial services to present to the Investment Committee.

Identify, vet, and assess new investments/ a diverse mix of strong FI/DFS projects that support a strong ecosystem of financial inclusion outcomes:

Working with donors and stakeholders, develop a pipeline of potential investments or projects that help achieve financial inclusion outcomes. Project will be related to branchless banking, mobile phone banking, savings, micro-insurance, remittances, credit and potentially other areas;
Work with shortlisted support facility partners to develop strong financial inclusion projects that reach low income and rural households, including a high percentage of women;
Champion new investments/projects conducting verification visits and due diligence of grant applicants;
Prepare project appraisal documents for presentation to the UNCDF Investment Committee;
Secures no objections from governments to implement FI/DFS activities and projects in assigned countries;
Assist in preparing Financing Agreements (grant, loan, technical assistance) documentation for approved partners. Monitor progress of investments/projects and initiatives / Projects are running on time and smoothly, problems are identified early and remedial steps proposed;
With the UNCDF 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 financing from UNCDF. Assist partners in fulfilling reporting requirements, including to the Mix Market, GSMA or Savix, as appropriate. Monitoring shall be made against quantifiable benchmarks and efficiency indicators agreed in the financing 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.

Corporate support: Provides support to UNCDF management on corporate initiatives and activities, focusing on achieving the following results:

Build an effective partnership with the UNDP Country Office;
Provide advice and input from country perspective on project management/performance issues, planning and monitoring portfolio performance results for Unit and UNCDF annual/cumulative Annual Report and Unit and regional work plan and UNCDF Business Plan;
As needed support UNCDF team in fulfilling planning and reporting requirement to the Investment Committee, UNDP, UNCDF and its other funders;
Travels as requested by RTA to provide support to other countries in the region;
Assists in implementation of evaluations of the programme;
Performs project management functions in Atlas in accord with post level.

Impact of Results:

The key result expected in the immediate term, is the successful implementation and attainment of targets of the Ebola Recovery Programme in the assigned countries. The FI/DFS Specialist will pursue the following key results of the programme:

FI/DSF is established and serving all required technical needs of UNCDF, UNDP, other UN Agencies, and other key stakeholders;
Enabling environment for the FI/DFS ecosystem is established, including national strategies and roadmaps for their implementation;
Sustainable, scalable, replicable FI/DFS providing access to affordable, demand-driven, appropriate, cost-effective financial services, particularly payments, savings, insurance, credit and remittances, to low income people in underserved areas;
Well supported partners with access to the necessary technical knowledge and oversight to ensure the timely achievement of results;
Knowledge generated, including market research, and disseminated among providers, host country regulators and policy makers, donors and other stakeholders related to mobile money.

Competencies

Core 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;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNCDF and UNDP.

Technical/Functional:

Development and Operational Effectiveness;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects and mobilize resources;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis and reporting;
Ability to evaluate projects, conduct financial analysis, establish and monitor performance based indicators, and investigate impact;
Strong oral and written communication skills;
Proven ability to manage projects;
Proven cross-cultural communication. The candidate(s) should be able to function effectively in an international, multicultural environment;
Ability to travel regularly within Sierra Leone and the West Africa region;
Excellent analytical skills;
Strong ICT skills.

Management and leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities and resolve problems;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Behavioral

Builds trust in interactions with others;
Ability to work with high level officials as well as local communities;
Takes initiative and calculated risks;
Approaches challenges creatively and effectively, and resolves conflicts;
Takes decisions;
Committed to team work, working with other stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

Experience:

A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in progressively more responsible positions in the development field, including financial inclusion and digital finance;
Experience working with microfinance, branchless banking, mobile phone banking, micro insurance, financial literacy and other efforts to reach rural and poor populations with financially inclusive solutions;
Strong knowledge on the technology of Digital Finance and related disciplines, including understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks related to Digital Finance;
Knowledge of national payment systems and technical infrastructure of payment and clearing systems;
Experience managing or conducting research, particularly related to financial inclusion;
Experience in developing national strategies and policies for financial inclusion;
Detailed knowledge of development process and post-crisis related issues, particularly in the reactivation and development of sustainable livelihoods;
Working experience and knowledge of socio-economic issues which excludes various vulnerable groups, in particular women, from the financial sector and the strategies employed to address these;
Working knowledge of international donor organizations and preferably experience in preparing proposals for funding;
Experience working in West Africa is preferred.

Language Requirements:

Fluent in 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.