Background

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries.

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. UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives and by showing how localized investments—through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project  finance—can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development.

By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty and SDG 17 on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to several different SDGs.

Inclusive digital economies

UNCDF manages initiatives to develop inclusive digital finance ecosystems which offer a wide range of financial services specially for low income vulnerable communities. Specifically, UNCDF provides a mix of policy, technical and financial support to a range of government and private sector actors in each country, as well as invests in research and other public goods to benefit all market actors. By supporting the development of digital finance ecosystem in these countries, UNCDF aims to increase the financial security of low income and rural households through access to appropriate, affordable and secure means to receive, manage and save money. 

Recently, UNCDF has formulated its strategy ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. UNCDF recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies that leave no one behind. The vision of UNCDF is to empower millions of people by 2024 to use services daily that leverage innovation and technology and contribute to the SDGs. UNCDF will apply a market development approach and continuously seek to address underlying market dysfunctions.

For more information, please see: https://www.uncdf.org/article/4567/uncdf-launches-digital-economy-strategy-leaving-no-one-behind-in-the-digital-era

Policy Accelerator

UNCDF has been working with national governments to improve access to financial services for over 25 years. In the last decade, we have focused specifically on the role that digital technologies play in accelerating usage of financial services by low-income people. In our role as a technical assistance provider and neutral broker, UNCDF works closely with global and national partners to build capacity and support governments to engage with industry to facilitate solutions to key market constraints at the local and regional level.

For more information, please see: https://policyaccelerator.uncdf.org/

Duties and Responsibilities

The UNCDF Policy Accelerator team is continuing to develop our approaches for communicating with our primary target audience: financial authorities based in Africa. Under the supervision of the Lead Specialist, Policy and Regulation, and in close collaboration with UNCDF’s Knowledge Management and Communications team, UNCDF is looking for a qualified advocacy and strategic communications specialist to:

  • Develop and facilitate the UNCDF Policy Accelerator’s advocacy strategy
  • Identify key partners and opportunities in which UNCDF can inspire policy change
  • Ensure timely development of advocacy and communication materials and media
  • Draft specifications for third parties (e.g. public relations, media, videographers) where needed.
  • Advise staff on meaningful engagement with national, regional and international stakeholders.

Activity/ Deliverable

Payment schedule

Timing

1. 1 × advocacy strategy for the UNCDF Policy Accelerator to define advocacy priorities for the G7 Partnership, map stakeholders and create an action plan, based on discussions with UNCDF staff and in close coordination with BTCA.

Deliverable: Advocacy strategy

15%

31 May 2021

2.   Workplan for 1 × calendar of key events and policy and regulation milestones at the global level (e.g. UN General Assembly) and windows of opportunity for advocacy in 2021--2022

Deliverable: Workplan for key events

15%

30 Jun 2021

3. Design and inputs for 5× advocacy briefs to outline positions and priorities of institutions such as the African Development Bank and the African Union and European Union and map out advocacy opportunities and talking points for UNCDF Policy Accelerator staff in Brussels

Deliverable: Advocacy brief template + 5x advocacy briefs

30%

29 Oct 2021

4. Design and coordinate 3 × advocacy events and workshops (e.g. side events for major conferences in Paris and Brussels), including concept notes, programme and coordination – for regional or national audiences on topics such as women’s empowerment, regional harmonisation, consumer protection, or financial health

Deliverable: 3x advocacy events

30%

31 Mar 2022

  1. 1 × advocacy report with results and progress based on scope outlined in the G7 Partnership grant documents. Should also include recommendations and next steps for 2022-2023

Deliverable: Advocacy progress report

10%

31 Mar 2022

Implementation arrangements:

The consultant will work under the primary supervision of the Global Policy Lead. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Policy Accelerator team and the Knowledge Management and Communications team.

Duration of work:

The work shall be undertaken over 12 months with possibility to extend another six months.

Duty station:

This is a national consultancy and the Advocacy and Strategic Communications Consultant will be based in Brussels, Belgium. S/he is expected to report to the Global Policy Lead on a mutually agreed schedule, but not more than three times a week.

Travel, as deemed relevant by UNCDF, will be approved and arranged by UNCDF, following UNDP/UNCDF Travel Policy.

Competencies

  • Strong ability to communicate and function effectively in an international and multicultural environment
  • Strong writing and editing skills
  • Strong understanding of the principles of accessible and human-centred content
  • Ability to translate complex technical ideas to a non-technical audience
  • Excellent interpersonal, teamwork and organisational skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • A master’s degree in communications, journalism, social sciences or related discipline is mandatory

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of progressive relevant work experience in the field of communications for international development and/or government and/or digital financial services is mandatory
  • Experience in applying agile, iterative, user-centred methodologies to communications is preferable
  • Experience working in strategic communications for international development projects at the national and international levels is preferable
  • Experience working with private sector or international organisations in Africa is preferable

Language:

  • Excellent speaking and writing skills in French and English is mandatory
  • Skills in Arabic and other languages spoken in Africa will be considered a distinct advantage

Application process:

Interested individuals must submit the documents mentioned below in order to demonstrate their qualifications (Note: the system does not allow multiple uploads of documents.) 

The following documents are to be uploaded in one PDF file:

  • Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies and a portfolio or samples of work
  • Personal CV or P11, indicating past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references

The following document is to be sent by email to financial.proposal@uncdf.org :

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Note: If unforeseen travel outside the Duty Station not required by the Terms of Reference is requested by UNCDF, and upon prior written agreement, such travel shall be at UNCDF’s expense and the Individual Contractor shall receive a per diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other location(s).

Selection process:

Step 1: Screening: Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

  • A master’s degree in communications, journalism, social sciences or related discipline is mandatory
  • At least 5 years of progressive relevant work experience in the field of communications for international development and/or government and/or digital financial services is mandatory

Step 2: Shortlisting by desk review (50% of technical assessment)

  • A master’s degree in communications, journalism, social sciences or related discipline: 20 points
  • At least 5 years of progressive relevant work experience in the field of communications for international development and/or government and/or digital financial services: 20 points
  • Experience in applying agile, iterative, user-centred methodologies to communications (based on submitted work portfolio or samples): 15 points
  • Experience working in strategic communications for development projects at the national and international level: 15 points  
  • Experience working with private sector or international organisations in Africa: 15 points
  • Excellent speaking and writing skills in French and English is mandatory: 10 points
  • Knowledge of Arabic and other languages spoken in Africa will be considered a distinct advantage: 5 points

Step 3: Interview (50% of technical assessment): Applicants who obtain over 70% in the shortlisting stage will be invited to participate in an interview.

Step 4: Financial Evaluation: Only the financial proposal of candidates who attain over 70% in the technical assessment will be considered and evaluated. The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposals: lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated × 30%.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

 

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