Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Travel:

In case of travel to the duty station, UNCDF will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services.

The individual is expected to travel sporadically in performing their functions. All travel costs will be covered directly by UNCDF, following UNCDF/UN’s rules and regulations.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The UN 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 a number of different SDGs.

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

Enabling policy and regulation:

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. 

The UNCDF Policy Accelerator is a pillar of UNCDF’s Inclusive Digital Economies and Financial Inclusion practice area. We collaborate with governments to create conditions in which digital financial services can benefit everyone. Our practical policymaking process is the cornerstone of both our direct technical assistance and free resources for policymakers and regulators.

• Deepen familiarity with digital financial services, including critical elements necessary for an inclusive ecosystem and potential impact on financial inclusion and stability

• Support policy development through careful consideration of available policy options, their potential market impact, and alignment with industry incentives

• Advocate for the use of systematically collected market data (both supply and demand) to inform regulation and guide policy priorities

• Contribute towards constructive public consultation that enables regular engagement among public and private stakeholders and consumer representatives to discuss specific market constraints, define public policy objectives, clarify roles and responsibilities, share data, and rally behind a common vision

• Facilitate exposure to global practice to assess how to apply (or avoid) policy options from other countries and regions

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Senior Policy Specialist will join the Policy Accelerator project team, collaborate with the broader UNCDF team as needed, and report to the UNCDF Global Policy Lead, P4.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

UNCDF is looking for Senior Policy Specialist, IPSA-11, to formalize an evidence methodology that would service as a catalyst of the Policy Accelerator’s policy work and strategic engagement that drive our work with policymakers and regulators on digital financial services with a particular focus on West and Central Africa and financial consumer protection. The Senior Policy Specialist will need to be well versed in the themes of financial inclusion and/or digital innovation space, emerging trends in the regulation a digital economy and understand of the political economy of markets where the Policy Accelerator is active. With this knowledge, he/she will formalize and implement the framework that ensures evidence are the drivers of the policy work and strategic engagement that are undertaken by the Policy Accelerator. The Senior Policy Specialist duties will be divided into four categories as follows:  

1. Build the learning practice of the Policy Accelerator and mainstream the process of evidence-informed policy advise. (40%)

a) Develop a process for systematic and transparent access to and appraisal of evidence as an input into the policy-making process.

b) Ensure the learning practice of the PA interacts with the country and regional leads to identify ways to improve the effectiveness of their policy portfolio and capacity to keep up with rapid market change. 

c) Plan and commission research designed to embed a learning practice at the country and regional level;

d) Ensure that the best available research and evidence is used to inform the PA’s programmatic decision-making.

e) Be forward-looking in evidence related to emerging trends in digital economy enablers that may complement the work being done in PA focus markets.

2. Regularly update the Policy Accelerator’s implementation methodology, based on results of technical assistance and emergent best practice. (30%)

a. Review the technical and engagement methodology, in consultation with the Policy Accelerator team and relevant UNCDF field staff to align with what has been effective thus far.

b. In consultation with the Gender Specialist, support the update of the methodology to ensure the PA’s work is gender intentional.

c. Identify specific components of the methodology that may be buttressed with action research, facilitated/commissioned by UNCDF  or via strategic partnerships .

d. Improve the existing a country/regional political economy and diagnostic analysis component in the Policy Accelerator’s methodology to ensure a more holistic delivery of technical assistance to policymakers and regulators.

e. Expand the PA’s existing methodology from Digital Financial Services (DFS) focus to a digital economy focus, working closely with the Global Policy Lead and other experts within and external to UNCDF. 

3. Contribute to the delivery of direct technical assistance for policymakers and regulators by working with country teams to build a well-informed engagement strategy. (20%)

a. Work with country and regional leads as well as advocacy specialist to ensure engagement strategies take into account regulatory and political economy realities and evidence available. 

b. Facilitate effective dialogue between government, financial services providers and consumer representatives through policy advocacy, workshops and other related means;

c. Liaise with global and regional organisations such as the World Bank and African Development Bank to align efforts particularly on payments harmonisation;

d. Advise and support other UNCDF colleagues on how to make best use of global policy and regulatory resources.

4. Contribute to knowledge management and results measurement activities. (10%)

a. Track UNCDF’s contribution to policy and regulatory change to measure the impact of our technical assistance and capacity building;

b. Update and contribute to our database of relevant laws, regulations, case studies and country data;

c. Draft and develop internal and external communications materials such as briefing notes, blog posts and videos to share relevant information and insights.

Competencies

UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience