UNCDF Jobs - 61861- UNCDF Nepal Digital Financial (DF) Expert

UNCDF Nepal Digital Financial (DF) Expert

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Kthamandu, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2016

Application Deadline :

06-Dec-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months Renewable another 6

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

18 Months

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

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 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 and the Pacific, 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 works to enlarge peoples’ choices: it believes that poor people and communities should take decisions about their own development. Its programmes help to empower women – over 50% of the clients of UNCDF-supported microfinance institutions are women – and its expertise in microfinance and local development is shaping new responses to food insecurity, climate change and other challenges. UNCDF works in challenging environments – remote rural areas, countries emerging from conflict – and paves the way for others to follow. Its programmes are designed to catalyze larger investment flows from the private sector, development partners and national governments, for significant impact on the Millennium Development Goals, especially Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, and Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability.

Established by the General Assembly in 1966 and with headquarters in New York, UNCDF is an autonomous UN organization affiliated with UNDP.

Despite the rapid growth of the microfinance industry in the past ten years, it is estimated that between two and three billion people still lack access to a broad range of financial products and services on a sustainable basis. The situation is particularly dire in the LDCs, where often more than 90 per cent of the population is denied access to financial services from the formal financial system. UNCDF focuses its strategy on Financial inclusion, which is universal access, at a reasonable cost, to a wide range of financial services, provided by a variety of sound and sustainable institutions. The range of financial services includes savings, short and long-term credit, leasing and factoring, mortgages, insurance, pensions, payments, local money transfers and international remittances.

UNCDF manages a number of initiatives related to digital financial (DF). It is in discussion to consolidate the technical assistance and research aspects of these programmes into a single team. This team will serve UNCDF’s needs in regard to DF, particularly for two programmes: Mobile Money for the Poor and the Better than Cash Alliance, but DF also requires support in a number of UNCDF country and global programmes.

UNCDF in Nepal has been active in Nepal in the digital finance space for over a year with funds from UNCDF’s MM4P program laying the groundwork for a full-scale country interventions and programs including MM4P. The preparatory phase of MM4P has been done in consultation with the NRB and with the permission of the Ministry of Finance, with a focus on research, awareness raising, assistance in strategy and business planning and working with the NRB. UNCDF worked in partnership with a single consulting firm during this period to implement a range of activities. UNCDF also received permission from the Government of Nepal (GoN) to expand MM4P activities in Nepal under UNCDF’s Inclusive Finance Country Framework – known as the Access to Finance (A2F) – UNNATI Programme.

The Government of Nepal and the Government of Denmark are working together through the UNNATI 5-year programme to promote sustainable inclusive growth by reducing poverty and raising living standards in Nepal. The strategic focus of UNNATI is on private sector development in accordance with both Nepalese and Danish development policies and strategies for inclusive growth, employment creation and poverty reduction. The programme focuses on the value chains of four agricultural commodities – orthodox tea, ginger, dairy and cardamom in seven hilly districts in the Eastern part of the country (EDR). Access to Finance (A2F) is a sub-component of UNNATI being implemented by Nepal Rastra Bank (central Bank of Nepal) and UNCDF. Among other components of A2F, Digital Financial Services (DFS) is one of the major components to be implemented in the Eastern Region in order to benefit at least 250,000 small holder farmers and MSMEs.

UNCDF Country Framework is managed by UNCDF’s National Programme Coordinator (NPC) who oversees a small team based in Kathmandu and in the EDR. This new phase of the DFS support to UNNATI- A2F supposes a significant increase of workload for UNCDF requiring a DFS Expert.

Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P): With support from Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (“DFAT” formerly AusAID) and by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), UNCDF launched Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P) in March 2012, 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. MM4P launched in Nepal in 2013 and works closely with –UNNATI- A2F -, providing both funding and technical oversight of DFS in Nepal. In 2015, MM4P secured a partnership with USAID to continue its activities in Nepal through 2016.

MM4P’s overall work in Nepal is managed by it Technical Specialist, Digital Finance (TS DF), based in Kathmandu.

The Better Than Cash Alliance is an alliance of governments, private sector and development 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 (BTCA) 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.

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
Implements 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.

Nepal joined the BTCA alliance in 2015.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNCDF is looking for a consultant, preferably based in Kathmandu, who is able to work on a daily basis with UNCDF and its partners engaged in digital finance. The consultant will be based with the UNCDF team in Nepal, but is expected to spend 50% or more of his/her time on the premises of the UNCDF’s partners. On overall technical matters related to DFS, the consultant will report to the UNCDF Technical Specialist, Digital Finance (TS DFS) based in Kathmandu and on the management of the assignments he/ she reports to the UNCDF National Programme Coordinator (NPC), who oversees UNCDF Country Framework.

The Consultant will specifically:

Work with UNNATI – A2F partners to improve DFS in their operations:

Work with partners under the UNNATI- A2F-Challenge Fund working on value chain / agricultural finance and provide technical advice on their proposed use of DFS;
Foresee and provide TA services to project related DFS under the Challenge Fund;
Regularly orient UNNATI – A2F partners in understanding DFS and build their capacity with regular TA support;
Provide technical support for BB and MFS led expansion in EDR project districts;
Support potential/ identified Banks and Financial Institution (BFIs) to prepare proposal in the area of DFS for the Challenge Fund;
Support the project to implement the financial literacy model for of Agro-finance, Branchless Banking, Mobile Financial Services as part of projects;
Provide technical assistance to BB & MFS providers to develop customized digital based products for expanding operations in EDR project districts;
Organize research and workshops for capacity building on demand side, agent network, product development, on overall BB & MFS requirements in Nepal;
Assist partner BFIs to identify, design and implement agro based digital financial services;
Assist the UNNATI – A2F project team in a regular basis to understand the DFS link with the agriculture value chain interventions and build the team capacity;
Assist A2F partners in innovating DFS related B2B operation and provide technical assistance to pilot such operation.
Provide high quality technical inputs to -UNNATI-A2F team members and partners on various DFS topics (regulatory, product design, agent network, etc.);
For some selected partners, provide direct technical assistance to support project implementation;
For larger projects, identify need for additional experts on key topics (agent network, product design, processes, technology, etc.) to support partners, draft technical TORs for the same and developing project descriptions and supervise such experts to ensure quality;
Work closely with other consultants and consulting firms working with UNNATI – A2F partners to provide background /context and oversee their assignments;
Coordinate and regularly follow-up work of consultants. Assist UNCDF, NPC and TS DFS in quality assurance of consultant outputs;
Coordinate with UNCDF DFS experts in other countries to share experience, lessons and innovative ideas between the programme;
Assist UNNATI – A2F project team in producing quality knowledge products and ensure quality.

Support the development and the implementation of digitization of payments, working with policy makers and regulators knowledge and capacity on DFS.

Liaise regularly with the TS DFS and the National Payment Systems Team of the NRB to understand the government’s plans for digitizing payments;
Support the dissemination and utilization of information on innovative payment reforms at the sectoral and national scale, through existing working groups such as the DF Working Group and Cash Coordination Group;
Work with UNCDF and the World Bank to support MoFALD for large scale digitization;
Develop collaborative action plans to accelerate the adoption of G2P payments with MoFALD and Ministry of Finance;
Assist in the transitioning of at least two Government of Nepal payment streams from cash to digital;
Organizing meetings and the exchange of insights, experiences and technical expertise through hosted peer-to-peer exchanges, conferences and meetings within the country;
Support the BTCA case study on digitization payments in Nepal and build awareness of BTCA sponsored research within key stakeholders;
Disseminate relevant publications and toolkits to stakeholders.

Assist additional stakeholders in the development of innovative ideas, plans and projects to enter or expand in the DFS (ecosystem, regulatory, customer, high volume, agent work streams) to develop a pipeline of projects.

Based on interactions with stakeholders and guidance from the TS DFS and NPC, help identify vetting, and developing DFS projects and monitor their progress;
Assist specific stakeholders individually on DFS related topics according to their needs;
Challenge stakeholders about their DFS businesses and strategies in order to raise the level of innovation and creativity in country;
Foster partnerships between stakeholders to develop new business models and innovative ideas;
Based on outcomes from workshop/training, market research and stakeholders’ contacts, establish a ranking of most promising stakeholders for direct support from UNCDF. Update this ranking continuously based on market dynamics;
For most promising stakeholders, provide technical inputs to project descriptions and support the TS DF in assessing and appraising the projects;
Collect necessary documents for UNCDF project endorsements and appraisals.

Coordinate and support TS DFS on reporting at country and stakeholders level:

Set and implement a regular call schedule with UNCDF partners;
Plan, organize and manage the MM4P monthly progress call with TS FD. Prepare agenda for the call and write meeting minutes. Develop monthly action plans;
Plan, organize and manage the quarterly progress call with partners in Nepal;
Support MM4P in collect reporting information from partners on a quarterly basis;
Support MM4P in collecting Results Measurement Framework (RMF) information on a semi-annual basis;
Support the TS DF to report on DF activities and developments in country.

The outcome of this work will be:

help and hasten the shift of Nepal DFS market from start-up stage until they are firmly in the expansion stage at end of 2019, so that 15% of the adult population in Nepal are active DFS users (90 days) at end of 2019;
Additional 100,000 active clients using DFS in the EDR by 2018;
At least three large scale payment streams are being digitized in a way that is sustainable for government and the private sector, as well as providing greater value to customer than cash;
UNCDF and BTCA have clear case studies and lessons learned that “prove the case” that digitization of payments is benefiting Nepal and Nepalese.

Competencies

Professional:

Takes on innovation and new approaches and fosters innovation in others;
Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking;
Conceptualizes more effective approaches to programme development and implementation and to mobilizing and using resources.

Management/Client Orientation:

Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives;
Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities, and resolve problems;
Focus on impact and results for clients and stakeholders;
Builds trust in interactions with others, facilitates partnerships;
Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and responds positively to feedback;
Committed to team work, working with other stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Bachelor’s degree in technology, economics, public/business administration, social sciences, or related discipline or the equivalent experience.

Experience:

A minimum of seven years’ experience in progressively more responsible positions in the financial services, payments and/or telecommunications field;
A minimum of three years’ experience working with branchless banking and mobile financial services;
Experience in working with the implementation of branchless banking and mobile financial services projects;
Experience working on DFS projects, preferably those in rural areas or related to agriculture/ Value Chain finance;
Experience in capacity building and advisory services to private and public actors;
Experience in Nepal;
Excellent writing skills.

Language:

Fluency in English;
Knowledge of Nepali, or related language (Hindi) is desirable.

Timline, duration of assigment, duty stattion and expected places of travel:

Timline - 1 February 2016 to 30 July 2017;
Location(s) - Kathmandu, Nepal;
Total Number of Working Days for Assignment - Estimated Total Number of Working Days 340 (230 for the first 12 months and 100 for the 6 months extension).

Travel:

Occasional travel may be required and will be compensated according to UN polices.

Application

Applications close on 7 December , 2015, at 17:00 EST. 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:

(i) Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies in relation to the TOR;
(ii) Earliest availability and proposed schedule for consultancy;
(iii) Curriculum Vitae;
(iv) Completed P11 Personal History Form with names and current contacts of 3 referees (available from http://sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc);
(v) Financial proposal for the full months assignment outlining - Total professional fee (including professional fees, per diems in Katmandu (if applicable), Other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc.), Duty travel (return ticket from country of origin to Katmandu).Available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916).

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). Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.