Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 48 least developed countries (LDCs). With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. This last mile is where available resources for development are scarcest; where market failures are most pronounced; and where benefits from national growth tend to leave people excluded.

Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P) is a programme launched by UNCDF in partnership with the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The MasterCard Foundation. MM4P provides support to branchless and mobile financial services in a select group of LDCs to demonstrate how the correct mix of financial, technical and policy support can build a robust branchless and mobile financial services ecosystem that reaches low income people in LDCs.

MM4P is interested in seeing Zambia become a leading digital financial services (DFS) market, including mobile phone and other means of branchless banking.  Zambia was the earliest adopter of DFS in Africa and has been stuck in the “sub-scale trap” ever since. In many ways, the country is still in a start-up phase due to low outreach, activity and product choice. MM4P’s recent studies shows that most Zambians still don’t have a meaningful awareness of the value of DFS for them. Despite being on par for number of transactions per agent, agents’ revenues and profitability are lower than in other East African countries, explaining the slow growth of agents. But Zambia does have an increasingly diverse and competitive market around first generation services. In 2015, several operators began to pursue aggressive expansion strategies, and agent numbers have grown significantly in the past year. The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) is predisposed to DFS although several regulations are “stuck” in government processes and political challenges and their remains an uneven playing field favoring non-banks over banks.

In partnership and with financing from the Mastercard Foundation, MM4P will be implementing an “ecosystem support strategy” to hasten the scalability of branchless and mobile financial services, particularly in rural areas.  This includes a high level of training, technical assistance and grants to Financial Service Providers (FSPs), agent networks and the government of Zambia.

MM4P requires a Knowledge Management consultant to establish and consolidate its presence in Zambia and ensure that there is a strong learning component to this endeavor. It will be critical to be learning from the 6-8 other MM4P countries on their best practices and lessons learned, as well as sharing out to the larger community what we are learning. This person will also be complementing the work of the Financial Sector Deepening Zambia (FSDZ), which is one of MM4P’s main partners on the ground in Zambia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Country Technical Specialist for Digital Finance and Knowledge Management Associate, the Knowledge Management Consultant will provide support to MM4P’s communications and sharing strategy in Zambia. Focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support MM4P Zambia Conferences, Workshops and Information Exchanges:  

  • Contribute to creating participatory, knowledge enhancing workshops and events;
  • Support the MM4P team on coordination, organizational details and procurement issues related to events; Manage guest lists, invitations, organize the creation of information packages, letters of invitation relevant to upcoming events, work with the relevant operations staff; Assist with on-site advance preparations for events;
  • With team members, assist in managing speakers or facilitators, as necessary; Ensure that all materials and presentations are available on time, shared with participants and accessible (including online);
  • Assist in the drafting of conference / workshop  proceedings, lessons learned reports, preparation of project accomplishment reports and other knowledge products; Develop action item follow up list from conferences and workshop to ensure that expected results are met; Develop survey and feedback tools for workshops and events, analyze and provide feedback to teams;
  • With team input, ensure that regional and international events are included in the MM4P Zambia calendar.

Deliverables: Zambia inputs to the MM4P annual event in Q3 2016 (including dedicated materials and final reports) presented and approved by UNCDF. One workshop for public sector (including design, dedicated materials and final reports) according to demand. One workshop (including design, dedicated materials and final reports) on strategy for Branchless Banking and Mobile Financial Services. Organize CEO level dialogues (including design, dedicated materials and final reports) at least one per quarter. Organize bi-monthly informal information exchange meetings with partners (including design, dedicated materials and final reports).   

Result: MM4P has held results-oriented events in Zambia that receive consistent positive feedback from participants during which action items are pursued. 

Contribute to knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

  • With the MM4P team assistance plan draft and contribute to the creation of different knowledge products, drawing on best practices, currently used formats and UNCDF’s knowledge management policies; extract key findings from knowledge products and draft shorter versions for blogs and press quotes/releases that can support the communications and advocacy agenda;
  • Oversee the publications process for Zambia’s publications, working with the MM4P team, authors, editors, research partners and relevant operations units, to fulfil  knowledge generation targets; Ensure the inclusion of gender issues and gender disaggregated data and/or analysis in the programme research agenda and publications;
  • Assist the MM4P team in developing and maintaining list serves and contact databases for partners and other stakeholders;
  • Liaise FSDZ and UNDP Zambia and/or development partners for information sharing;
  • Identify opportunities for scholarship or sponsorships for MM4P’s partners, help match events and partners, organize logistics and registration with partners.

Deliverables: Propose a plan for increasing networking and cross-learning among MM4P programme partners in Zambia based on the country Annual Work Plan; Monitor the research and learning agenda for Zambia (approved by the MM4P MRM Analyst and Knowledge Management Associate) providing a quarterly report on progress made on each learning agenda topic. Provide quarterly report to MM4P on research and learning activities for their quarterly reporting to funders; Include Zambia partners in Dgroups and in email list; Bring partners into the offsite help-line (based on demand). Write and disseminate a briefing note on unique learning from Zambia (on Q3 2016). Write and disseminate a briefing note on product development from Zambia on (Q4 2016). Write and disseminate briefing notes on various DFS topics and themes (1 per Quarter in 2017). Write and disseminate at least 2 semi-annual market monitors.

Result: MM4P has an active research programme with a variety of knowledge products that need to be completed on time and disseminated broadly; these products will position MM4P as a lead practitioner in digital financial services.   MM4P Zambia is viewed as a reliable, organized, and transparent source of information and takes the lead on sharing information with stakeholders.

Manage communications and marketing for MM4P Zambia: 

  • Ensure that branding of each of MM4P Zambia event is consistent with UNCDF branding guidelines and each programme funders’ requirements;
  • Manage the dissemination of diverse publications and news releases through print and video;
  • Motivate programme team members and coordinate their contribution to blogs and other social media. Contribute to UNCDF’s social media platforms including : drafting social media packages for the dissemination of publications, curating content related to DFS and Zambia;
  • Be responsible for the editing and writing of all publications, news releases, tweets, blogs, and any written material on behalf of MM4P Zambia. Coordinate the writing of at least 6 blog post in 12 months;
  • Prepare and disseminate appropriate press releases in coordination with UNDP in Zambia and other notifications for programme activities. When the need arises, ensure visibility for the programme funders;
  • With the UNCDF Communications Team, update UNCDF website contents for MM4P Zambia so that they are current, relevant and reflect MM4P priorities;
  • Monitor website indicators with support of UNCDF Communications team; tracking site usage and views or hits for Zambia publications and videos. 

Deliverables: Propose a communication plan for each MM4P Zambia event and publication identifying communications channels and distribution method based on the MM4P KM and Comms Ecosystem and tools. Provide for each event a press package (including press release and information on the MM4P programme in Zambia and FSDZ) and a social media package (see list of events above). Provide social media post related to activities in Zambia on a weekly basis (curated content or programme activity related illustrated by pictures). Coordinate the writing of at least 6 blog posts over 12 months and their publication on the UNCDF website and partners website. Issue a monitoring/analysis report of each publication dissemination plan (#of recipients, views, downloads etc).

Result: MM4P Zambia has an active multi-media outreach effort that highlights its activities and achievements and builds upon UNCDF’s overall profile.

Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning:

  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
  • Ability to manage events, oversee contributions of other actors.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

  • Ability to organize and perform a variety of specialized tasks simultaneously related to Results Management, including administrative support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting.
  • Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.

Leadership and Self-Management:

  •  Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
  • Interacts with others in a professional, respectful, and friendly manner.
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
  • Communicates clearly and convincingly.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in communications, management, marketing, or related disciplines
  • University Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, social sciences, or related discipline would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience: 

  • At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in communication, development; or other relevant field is required at the national or international level;
  • Exposure to financial services industry, the donor community or the development field;
  • Experience overseeing and conducting research and managing research projects;
  • Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, web design and/or maintenance;
  • Experience in overseeing document and report production, print and electronic publishing;
  • Preferably experience in branding, communications and experience in media relations, graphic design and video production,  but it is not a requirement. 

Language:

  • Fluency in English.

Timeline, duration of assignment, duty station and expected places of travel:

  • Timeline: 12 months.
  • Location: Lusaka, Zambia.
  •  Total Number of Working Days for Assignment: 240.
  • Occasional travel may be required and will be compensated according to UN polices.

Please note that UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visa´s for consultants. Consultants are responsible for securing their work documentation. In the case of national consultants, applicants that are not nationals of the duty station requested will have to prove their residence status.  Please note that consultants will not be compensated for living expenses.

Provision of Monitoring, Progress Controls & Payments:

  • The consultant will work under the direct supervision of Zambia Country Technical Specialist, Digital Finance with indirect supervision of Knowledge Manager (based in Brussels);
  • Payment will be made on periodical basis in accordance with number of days worked and upon satisfactorily achieved deliverables. All payments are subject to the clearance and approval of the direct supervisor;
  •  Final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.

Application:

Interested individuals must submit the following as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications: (NOTE: the system does not allow multiple uploads of document. Applicants must make sure to upload all documents in one PDF file).

All applications must contain the following information:

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

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Preliminary Evaluation - Step I: Pre-Screening;

Technical Evaluation Weight - 70% x (Step II: 20 Points + Step III: 80 Points = 100 Points);

Financial Evaluation Weight - 30% = Step IV.

Step I: Screening

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following minimum criteria (listed under education and experience) will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

Step II: Shortlisting by Desk Review:

UNCDF will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate candidates as per the following criteria.

20- Education/Qualification;

20- Functional competencies for assignment (analytical and writing skills);

30- Experience

As applicable, only the first top 4 ranked applicants achieving minimum 49 points out of 70 shall be invited for a shot witting test and interview.

Step III: Shirt writing test + Interview

A short written test and competency-based Interview shall be conducted for the top 4 shortlisted candidates.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points on the total of Step II and having passed the test wiII will be considered as technically qualified and reviewed further for financial evaluation.

Step IV: Financial Evaluation:

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

Lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%.

Award Criteria

The contact shall be awarded to the applicant whose offer have been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and Having received the highest combined weight (technical proposal & Interview) 70% + financial 30%= 100%.

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.