Background

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.

YouthStart

YouthStart, a UNCDF programme funded by The MasterCard Foundation aims to reach 200,000 youth in Sub-Saharan Africa with demand-driven financial services and non-financial services, in particular savings and financial education, by 2014. To date, US$7.2 million have been awarded to 10 Financial Service Providers, of which US$1.3 have been disbursed,  to design, deliver and scale up demand-driven youth financial services and youth-centric programmes in partnership with Youth Serving Organizations.

MM4P (Mobile Money for the Poor)

Since 2008, UNCDF’s supports the development and roll out of Branchless Banking (BB) and Mobile Financial Services (MFS) in the countries it operates by working with governments, private and non-profit partners to hasten the scale-up of services and improve the variety of products and services needed reach rural and low income households. UNCDF provides support to the development of BB and MFS via global thematic initiatives, such as the Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P) and other programmes.  MM4P aim to develop scalable models for BB and MFS , using a mix of technical capacity building and grants (or loans) to leading providers, agents  and partners on a competitive basis, in markets where access to finance is most limited, including LDC’s and post-conflict countries. UNCDF’s programmes also includes support to regulators and governments to better enable and use these services.

MicroLead Expansion

UNCDF is utilizing MicroLead to induce financial service providers with proven track records to consider expanding their operations to include LDCs, leveraging UNCDF’s funds and yielding significant outreach.  MicroLead was designed to complement UNCDF’s sector development programmes, its primary tool for building inclusive financial sectors at country level.  UNCDF’s sector development programmes focus on removing constraints at policy, meso and retail levels for all FSPs, including those receiving funding from MicroLead.  MicroLead was expected to provide an opportunity to support the entry of proven market leaders with proven savings-led business models into underserved LDCs.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNCDF seeks a copy editor with experience in microfinance-related communication in order to support (copying editing, revisions, proof reading) the knowledge management activities of the programs depicted above.

The consultant needs to perform the following activities:

  • Edit the first draft of knowledge products, to ensure clarity, consistency and readability of the text for the intended audience;
  • Under the guidance of the Technical Writer or knowledge management associate, assemble all sections suggestions, re-writing as necessary, adding/editing boxes of interest, tables and charts bringing the manuscript to full completion including all necessary components (table of contents, foreword, preface, introduction, bibliography, tables, annexes, boxes, etc.);
  • Point out factual inconsistencies in arguments, political nuances, faulty logic, and awkward or unclear passages and suggest solutions;
  • Ensure all references are in order, requesting source information for tables and figures when such information is missing;
  • Ensure incorporation of feedback from internal and external peer reviewers into the draft manuscript;
  • Work closely with the Technical Writer, Knowledge Management Associate and the graphic designer to develop ideas for graphics and charts that creatively convey key messages/data in the manuscript;
  • Proof-read the final texts as laid out by the designer to ensure both text and associated graphics are error free and ready for printing.

Deliverables of the knowledge product:

  • Copy edit 1st draft of knowledge products for peer review;
  • Copy edit 2nd draft of knowledge product that incorporates changes of technical writer after peer review;
  • Revisions to graphic designer version;
  • Proof-read the final text as laid out by the designer.

Prior to the development of each knowledge product, the consultant needs to submit for approval to the Knowledge Management Associate a quote with an estimation of the days it will take him/her to complete the 4 deliverables of the knowledge product.

Payments will be done at the completion of each knowledge product. For each payment, the consultant needs to:

  • Submit an invoice for the completion of the 4 deliverables of the knowledge product to UNCDF;
  • Submit and get approval from UNCDF of all 4 deliverables of the knowledge product subject to payment.

Competencies

  • Strong analytical and writing skills and track record in copy editing relevant reports and other materials;
  • Demonstrated strong technical and practical knowledge in issues relating to microfinance and branchless banking in particular Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia;
  • Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate;
  • High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi-cultural environment;
  • Sensitivity to diverse opinions and difficulties arising from differing social and cultural perceptions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree in international affairs, literature, economics, finance, business or public administration or related field.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 8 years experience as a technical writer or copy editor in microfinance, inclusive finance, or development research.

Language:

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
  • Fluency in French is a plus.

Consulting Fees/Personnel Costs

Applicants should note that the maximum daily rate under UNCDF policy is US$ 1,350 for individual consultants.

Travel

No travel is required for this assignment.

Application

Applications close on 27 November, 2015 at 17:00 Central European Time. Applications will be rated on both technical and financial submissions.

The best proposal that will be awarded the contract shall be selected through the following method: 

  • Highest rated proposal using the combined scoring method, which assigns the weight distribution between the technical and financial proposals as set out in the RFP.  The weight distribution shall be 70% technical and 30% financial.

All applications must contain the following information in one Word or PDF document combining the following:

A financial proposal consisting of the consultants fees, in U.S. dollars http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916, including - a) Total professional fees for 240 days, b) Other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc.) for the duration of the contract.

Other considerations

Both individual consultants and individual employed by a company or institution are welcome to apply. Any individual employed by a company or institution who would like to submit an offer in response to a Procurement Notice for IC must do so in their individual capacity (providing a CV so that their qualifications may be judged accordingly). Please not that in such case the company institution will be asked to issue an RLA. Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

Retainer contract

A retainer contract may be used to engage Individual Consultants/Contractors where feasible. It specifies the unit price and schedule of services to be rendered. The retainer contract creates a firm commitment on both parties; UNCDF provides a financial commitment while the consultant/contractor provides a commitment of availability for satisfactory and timely completion of deliverables. Therefore as a retainer contract implies a financial commitment, UNCDF must issue a contract with maximum expenditure level.

The duration of this Individual Contract (IC) will be two years on retainer basis, renewable for another two years according to the supervisor recommendation and as needs arise. The selected contractor will be contracted on a needs basis. Payment will be calculated based on working days of the contractor.

Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA): A legal instrument between UNCDF and a Company/institution, according to which, the latter makes available the services of an individual delivering time-bound and quantifiable outputs that are directly linked to payments. An RLA is governed by the provisions of this policy.