Important Note: Please click these links for the French version of the TOR and annexes. 

ToR_Investment Policy Expert_SN_FR_20230317.pdf  https://www.uncdf.org/download/save?id=18733

Annex to TOR-English Version.pdf  https://www.uncdf.org/download/save?id=18732

About United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF):

The UN Capital Development Fund (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.

About the UNCDF Investment Platform:

The Investment Platform serves as UNCDF’s center of excellence on development finance by creating the conditions for investment viability in the “missing middle” or in riskier market segments. The aim of the Investment Platform is to be part of a system that (a) demonstrates to domestic and international investors that emerging markets can and do generate returns, provide opportunities for successful investment, and merit the attention of a wider range of investors and that (b) uses those demonstration effects to support policy and regulatory improvements and scale up by other actors of what works.

About the Project:

The Investment Advisory Initiative (IAI) is part of the UNCDF Investment Platform that seeks to inform and improve the policy regime for investments in priority countries across Africa from lessons learned through 

) the development and implementation of innovative SDG-positive development finance initiatives in conjunction with other agencies of the UNDS ii) the deployment of capital, including through UNCDF financing solutions, into investment transactions meant to provide demonstration effects and unlock additional capital (in a blended fashion when possible) iii) direct policy support to government at country level, at its request through the RC or RCO. Unlike many other actors, UNCDF is able to anchor policy advice and related work with the real experience and lessons learnt gained as development finance practitioner able to deploy capital and develop financing mechanisms.

Policy underpins the approach of the IAI to help governments identify and respond to barriers to attract long-term finance for the SDGs. In addition to using lessons learned from demonstration effects of blended finance transactions and the implementation of innovative SDG-positive development finance initiatives, the IAI will convene and engage with stakeholders including private capital and businesses to understand the challenges they face to integrate SDG support into their business models, and work with government and other relevant stakeholders to design mechanisms to catalyze private investment for the SDGs.

Based in Dakar, Senegal the Investment Policy Expert will facilitate the dialogue and implementation of policy development and activities between all the relevant stakeholders of the project: an investment policy diagnostic in the agriculture sector in Senegal. 

Scope of Work

This position will support, develop and implement the policy advocacy work by leading research to develop and implement policy advocacy strategies towards the most relevant challenges identified as barriers to investments particularly as regards access to credit by women and youth in the agriculture sector in Senegal. The overall responsibility of the Investment Policy Expert is to contribute to policy development and advocacy activities specifically through the implementation of an investment policy diagnostic. Contributions include the design of an evidenced-based approach and analytical tools, organization of policy dialogue including an interactive convening of stakeholders, and other advance work to further investment policy advocacy. He/She will also act as a liaison officer at the country level for RC/RCO, UN agencies, government, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, private sector partners, financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

Summary of key functions:

1. Design, plan, develop and implement UNCDF’s IAI policy and advocacy projects at the country level
2. Design and implement an evidence-based process for policy advocacy and support including appropriate policy diagnostic tools; conduct key informant interviews and surveys, analyze results, prioritize identified challenges, define proposed solutions, etc in support of key deliverables: to plan and moderate policy convenings/dialogues, prepare and publish a policy brief
3. Design and conduct quantitative and qualitative research and policy analysis on relevant development investment advocacy issues (including identify and prioritize challenges) and related knowledge management
4. Desk research on  global, regional, and national policies, frameworks, and guidelines that impact UNCDF’s work particularly as it relates to Senegal (identify and document policy anchors)
5. Draft analytical report and iterate to incorporate feedback from stakeholders to finalize a policy brief.
6. Share approved content across various mediums (i.e., UNCDF’s website, newsletter, and other publications, social media)
7. Other tasks as deemed appropriate by UNCDF

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

 Institutional Arrangement

1. The expert will report to the Investment Advisory Initiative Investment Specialist at UNCDF based in Dakar, Senegal.
2. Progress reporting is expected via oral or in-person check-in meetings which may be weekly, bi-weekly, and ad-hoc depending on the phase of the assignment and the progress achieved. Progress may be discussed in meetings with stakeholder groups, including the UN SDG Taskforce.
3. In the course of implementing the assignment, the expert will be called upon to interact with other UN agencies, as well as with key stakeholder groups: SMEs, entrepreneurs, government, regulators, investors.
4. The expert is expected to work in his/her own facilities using his/her own equipment (phone, computer, software etc.).

Duration of the Work

1. The assignment is expected to require approximately 35 person-days over approximately three months. (Please note however that this is merely approximate; the payment terms are deliverable-based, not on a per person day basis.)
2. Target time horizon is May – July 2023
3. The work product is intended to inform the UNSDCF and the PAP3 which are both being reviewed and updated for the 2024-28 period. Therefore, the outputs are time sensitive.

Duty Station

1. The assignment is based in Dakar, Senegal. Engagements with stakeholders in Senegal outside of Dakar are expected to be accomplished by phone and/or virtual connections. No travel is anticipated.
2. The expert will be required to undertake key informant interviews which will preferably be done in person at a location convenient to the key informant (e.g. his/her office). Some progress meetings may occur in UNCDF offices or in other stakeholder offices in Dakar. The interactive convening will be held in Dakar and the expert’s participation and facilitation is mandatory at that event. The expert will be consulted on setting the date for this event.
3. Senegalese nationals and/or experts residing in Senegal are strongly encouraged to apply. No remuneration will be provided for travel to the duty station or for lodging or transport in Dakar, nor will UNCDF provide assistance for working permits or residence permits. Consultants are responsible for securing the work documentation and residence permits, if needed.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The assignment is deliverables based with a lump-sum fixed cost payment modality which should be all-inclusive. The consultant may submit invoices for payment upon completion of deliverables in the Deliverables/Outputs table in Section D based on the schedule below. Invoices are subject to the clearance and approval of the direct supervisor.

• Strong planning and organizational skills; ability to prioritize and work independently.
• Computer and IT skills in Microsoft applications
• Exceptional interpersonal, relationship management and negotiation skills

Required minimum academic education: Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Business, Finance, Law, Public Policy/Administration, Economics, Development Finance, Sustainable Development, and/or other relevant fields.  

Required minimum years of relevant experience: At least 7 (seven) years of relevant experience that can include a combination of finance and investment, financial or investment regulation design or enforcement, investment policy advocacy, capacity building for SME investment, planning and implementing an advocacy strategy including conducting policy research, survey design and analysis, working in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to shape an advocacy agenda at the community, national and/or local level

Subject Matter Expertise and Technical Abilities: 

• Deep knowledge of finance and investment, particularly related to SMEs and social enterprises
• Experience working on policy/advocacy research and/or strategies in an African policy context.
• Good knowledge of investment policy landscape in Senegal
• Good knowledge of policy/decision-making processes in the areas of attracting investment finance to emerging markets (particularly Africa)
• Demonstrates ability to undertake research including experience in policy analysis and/or development

• Advanced and persuasive written and verbal communication skills
• Comprehensive research, interpretation and critical analysis skills
• Experience in designing an evidenced based policy process and design of relevant tools for analysis and assessment

Desired additional skills 

• Experience building and implementing lobbying/advocacy strategies
• Experience with group communications (association management, conference moderation, event facilitation, etc.)
• Knowledge of or experience in agribusiness in Senegal
• Experience with gender in development and/or with women and/or youth entrepreneurs in Senegal
• Knowledge and understanding of the UN system and the mandates of constituent agencies
• Experience working with relevant ministerial agencies and the private sector as it pertains to understanding the barriers to access to investment finance in agriculture and for female/young entrepreneurs.
• Commitment to advancing policy advocacy and support that can contribute to policy reforms in the areas promoting investment finance

Language: French is required, working knowledge of English will be considered an asset. 

Evaluation Criteria

Offers will be evaluated based on a combined scoring method with the technical (qualifications and methodology) will be weighted 70% and the price offer will be weighted 30%.

The key criteria for rating the submission are as follows:

Recommended Presentation of Offer

1. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (see click here for document) - encrypted or password protected
2. Personal CV or P11, 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;
3. Brief description, and a methodology that demonstrates how the expert will approach and complete the assignment.
4. Writing Sample a relevant document that the expert has submitted or published. If the document has multiple authors, expert shall indicate which pages/sections can be attributed to the expert.
5. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price (this is the same as 1 above)

Submit proposals no later than 23:59 GMT 10 April 2023 to [uncdf.procurement@uncdf.org]. Please do not copy any other email addresses. Submission materials may be submitted in French language, English language, or a combination of both. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to this same email address. Response will be made in writing and all other candidates may receive an anonymized copy of the inquiry and response.