Background

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are becoming increasingly significant in making a difference and improving the impacts of economic development. However, it is being increasingly recognized that for pro-poor development, the type of ICT technology to be used should be context-oriented and “more sustainable and relevant to the needs of the intended communities” (Unwin, 2009).  

Recent official data shows that, while extreme disparities in access to fixed telephone, computer and internet exist between sub-regions, surprisingly, mobile phones are as common in the least developed as in the most developed regions (93.0% in the least developed region of Mauritius according to Census 2011 data). The perceived attractiveness of mobile telephony for low-income ICT users makes it a commendable solution to the problem of expanding access of information and communication to the poor to improve their situation.

This is in line with the overarching mission of “eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion” in the new UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-2017, which promotes solutions to challenges in new and creative ways that lead to more impactful development results using existing facilities and resources. In Mauritius, UNDP supports Government through several projects promoting inclusiveness, including technical assistance for the design and implementation of the Social Register of Mauritius, formulation of policy options on social aid reform and community development in poor areas.

The country is currently embarking upon a major transformation agenda underpinned by the attainment of the following three overriding and interrelated objectives namely High Income, Inclusiveness and Sustainability. The challenge faced by Mauritius to move to a high-Income, inclusive and sustainable country is to develop an incentive framework conducive to acceleration of growth through increased human capital, better policies and processes, as well as pro-poor policies and institutional frameworks to promote inclusiveness and empowerment in a sustainable and equitable way.

Given the already high penetration of the mobile phone among the poor, UNDP will provide assistance in the form of technical expertise to the government of Mauritius on the use of the mobile technology to reach the most marginalised communities so that they can have fairer access to the social protection system and to opportunities for improving their livelihood.  Mobile phones, in providing affordable broadband network access, can also offer a valuable means of delivering e-government services related to pro-poor policies.  The FinScope Consumer Survey carried out this year under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and funded by FinMark Trust tends to confirm this assertion when it reports  that “Mobile money has a strong potential to become an enabler for financial inclusion in Mauritius”.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The objective of the assignment is to recommend the type of platform and content that needs to be adopted so as to make effective use of the existing mobile technology to reach the most excluded households. Since the wireless technology is already spatially widely available, development processes which make use of it most efficiently, without having to invest heavily in new infrastructure/equipment, should be promoted.This implies that less emphasis should be laid on what might potentially be used (e.g. new offices with internet/intranet and PCs, additional human resources) and more emphasis on adapting and applying what is actually used by the poor (e.g. mobiles).

Accordingly, the services expected from the consultant include:

• Taking stock of the pro-poor services which are currently available at the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions (such as the various social assistance schemes for the poor, disabled, elderly, victims of natural disasters) and the Ministry of Social Integration and Empowerment/National Empowerment Foundation (such as placement and training, job research, child development, family empowerment, social housing, community development)
• Conducting a needs assessment for developing the mobile technology platform and content, in consultation with key government institutions and other relevant stakeholders so that the services mentioned above are accessible to the intended audience.
• Assess whether the existingmobile operators have the capacity to absorb the increase in the number of transactions that will result with the implementation of the mobile technology
• Identifying processes, in partnership with mobile service providers, as well as recommending the appropriate institutional and regulatory framework to permit the capture, storage and exchange of information to improve coverage of the social protection system, particularly for the most disadvantaged areas and groups.
• Identifying pro-poor e-government services which can be implemented through the platform, as well as the processes which will enable users to (i) get the necessary information, (ii) interact, and (iii) transact through the platform. There is a need to elaborate the payment mechanism – mobile money agents and any other intermediary that will operate in the system and commission to agents.This will require the consultant to establish mechanisms for :
• Transfer remittances – transfers from paying agencies;
• Payment transaction – direct payment of bills (electricity, water, etc.);
• Disbursement transaction – payment of loans, esp. with social contract and payment of housing loan;
• Conversion transaction – allows customer to deposit money and withdraw money piecemeal from their mobile money account
• Assess the costs of implementing the initiative – both the investment in infrastructure and the operational expenditure

• Conduct a cost-benefit analysis for each proposed solution.The benefits of the proposed solution(s) as compared to present channels should be clear and reflect the realities of the local context.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Report containing

• The recommended mobile technology platform and content which has to become effective in the short term, taking into consideration the mobile generation most commonly used by low-income groups;
• Cost-benefit analysis for the recommended platform;
• Technical requirements (can be one or a mix of technologies to achieve the intended purpose);
• Analytical and operating procedures to support the recommended solutions;
• Legal and regulatory requirements;
• Human resource and training requirements;
• Performance indicators;
• Adequate testing methodologies (pilot, simulations, etc.);
• Operation and maintenance requirements;
• Appropriate public outreach and education campaign;
• Contractual terms and conditions to ensure that the platform to be procured and the deliverables address intended objectives, and requirements of the client; and
• Any other requirement which would make the whole solution workable

The report should also include:

• The Implementation schedule; and
• Capital investment and recurring costs estimation;
• A Request for Proposal including technical specifications and applicable evaluation criteria for the an eventual procurement exercise for the development of the platform;
• Any need for Quality Assurance on an intervention basis during the implementation of the proposed platform.

Presentation of the recommended mobile technology platform to policy-makers and stakeholders.

Institutional Arrangement:

While the consultant will report to the Acting Senior Programme Manager - UNDP, he/she will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions, other relevant government agencies, as well as mobile service providers.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

• Autonomy and leadership skills required to perform research, thorough analysis and reporting;
• Able to work in a team and collaborate with various Government institutions, as well as international agencies based in Mauritius and abroad;
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Strong oral and written communication skills - use of simple and clear language;
• Ability to work under pressure and in a politically sensitive environment;
• Proven success in working collaboratively with a number of different stakeholders; and
• Strong capacity for data collection and analysis, as well as report writing;
• Creative and Innovative; and
• Sound analytical capacities.

.Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrate integrity and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• At least a Master degree in Information Technology, Communications, Development Studies, or a related field.

Experience:

• Proven experience in designing pro-poor e-government services;
• At least 10 years of experience in interacting and collaborating with Government institutions, private sector and NGOs.

Language:

• Excellent spoken and written English required;
• Spoken French would be an asset.

Scope of price proposal and schedule of payments:

Financial proposals must be “all inclusive” and expressed in a lump-sum for the total duration of the contract. The term “All inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal.

Payment will be made based upon successful completion of the deliverables as per terms below:

• 20% upon submission of the inception report (expected by end November 2014);
• 80% upon submission and approval of the final mission report (expected by end December 2014).

Recommended presentation of proposals:

Interested offerors must submit the following documentations, in accordance with the scope of work, expected outputs and deliverables mentioned herein:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• A detailed technical proposal that includes the following;
• Personal CV or P11 (as per template provided), indicating all 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;
• A brief methodology note on how the contractor will approach and complete the assignment; and
• A financial proposal indicating the total cost in USD, lump sum, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.

Criteria for selection of best offer

A Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted 70%, and the price offer will be weighted 30%;

The key criteria for rating the qualification and methodology, together with their equivalent percentage weight, will be as follows:

All submissions will be assessed against the following criteria:

Technical Evaluation: 70%

• Education background: 15%;
• Proven experience in designing pro-poor e-government services: 40%;
• At least 10 years of experience in interacting and collaborating with government institution, private sector and NGO: 15%.

Financial Evaluation: 30%

Important note:

• Interested offeror is strongly advised to view the general terms and conditions of IC and  templates to be included when submitting offer from the CO website at http://www.mu.undp.org/content/mauritius_and_seychelles/en/home/operations/procurement/ ;
• Interested offerors above the age of 62: UNDP regulations require, at their own cost, to undergo a full medical examination including x-rays. Medical evaluation documentation does not need to be submitted with the other requested documents listed above, but will be requested should the candidate be chosen;
• Interested offeror is required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system, because the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system;
• Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.