Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 48 least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help financial service providers reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments that will improve poor peoples’ lives.  Financial inclusion means universal access, at a reasonable cost, to a wide range of financial services, provided by a variety of sound and sustainable institutions.  The range of financial services includes savings, short and long-term credit, leasing and factoring, mortgages, insurance, pensions, payments, local money transfers and international remittances. Information on UNCDF may be found at www.uncdf.org.

UNCDF operates several global thematic initiative (GTI) programmes that are offering needed and innovative financial services. Two of these are Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P) and the Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA) which both work on digital finance.

Mobile Money for the Poor’s mission is to help develop and implement digital finance (DF)  solutions that reach low-income households and microenterprise in LDCs, giving them access to affordable, safe means to manage money, increasing their financial security, and to demonstrate how such services can be scaled up or replicated sustainably in very low-income countries. The approach used is similar to the making markets work for the poor (M4P) approach, which is to bring about market change by working on a variety of key constraints and opportunities related to the DF market. It currently operates in five markets (Liberia, Malawi, Uganda, Laos, Nepal) and is preparing to expand into three more (Benin, Senegal, Zambia).The programme  provides a mix of policy, technical and financial support to regulators, providers and users of digital financial services in order to develop the overall all digital financial service ecosystem in the country.   In doing so, the programme hopes to develop scalable models that can be replicated in other challenging markets.

The Better Than Cash Alliance provides expertise in the transition to digital payments to achieve the goals of empowering people and growing emerging economies.  BTCA is now in the process of developing its technical assistance facility to provide direct support to its members, with a focus on working with governments to address the systemic issues need to expedite that shift.

UNCDF has recently received sizable grants from a number of public and private foundation partners to  dramatically increase the size and scope of MM4P.  In addition, UNCDF is looking for ways to bring together the complementary roles of BTCA and MM4P both of which are seeking to catalyze rapid uptake of DFS at the country level. 

MM4P will be hiring a full time Research and Results Measurement Specialist in the coming months.  However, it has an immediate need to design its results measurement system. It is expected that the consultant will focus primarily on the design and then will assist the new Specialist in implementing the design for several months to refine it further.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNCDF has drafted a theory of change and results chain and a set of draft indicators for its digital finance work.  The purpose of the assignment is to help UNCDF refine and define an overall results framework for MM4P as well as a DFS results framework for the countries in which it operates.    

Key activties:

Refine  MM4P’s results measurement framework (RM) in the context of the DCED Standard for private sector development (PSD):

  • Analyse current RM framework within the context of the programme mission, objectives, Annual Work Plan (AWP), partner agreements, as well as with programme evaluation findings in order to set up a comprehensive RM framework utilizing the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development Standards (DCED) for measuring achievements in private sector development;
  • Refine and improve the MM4P programme level results chain and develop  results chains for different work streams that may be used by programme units when designing interventions;
  • With MM4P team, revise overall programme targets to reflect new RM framework;
  • Identify  and/or develop all required systems, tools, reports, targets and indicators  required for efficient, effective implementation of RM framework and activities, including social and gender dimensions and the delivery of outputs against established; 
  • Design, develop monitoring report formats for the  MM4P Investment Committee (IC) and relevant external stakeholders.

Develop results measurement framework for Digital Financial Services Development in the context of the DCED Standard for private sector development (PSD):

  • Analyse current theory of change and country results chain that takes into consideration both MM4P and BTCA approaches to DSF in order to set up a comprehensive DFS results measurement  framework utilizing the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development Standards (DCED) for measuring achievements in private sector development;
  • Refine and improve the MM4P country level results chain and develop  results chains for different work streams that may be used by country teams designing interventions;
  • Refine the set of country level indicators to be tracked by UNCDF to measure progress in the market;
  • Consider the range of industry available tools, including the Mix Market, Intermedia Findex, GSMA Adoption Survey, etc., identify and recommend data collection tools and methods; 
  • At the country level, analyse  indicator reporting in order to recommend improvements and interventions to increase programme effectiveness and ability to achieve lasting positive impact on a semi-annual basis.

Test country results framework by implementing results framework in two countries (countries to be determined):

  • Develop and implement plan to assist MM4P country teams in at least two countries to develop and implement the measurement framework and monitoring activities in their country Annual Work Plans;
  • Assist in developing results chains for at least two countries Train MM4P team and country teams on proper use of RM systems, tools, reports and indicators to allow for timely and accurate monitoring and reporting at the programme level;
  • Consider and improve Identify capacity weaknesses and design appropriate activities and tools to improve RM within the programme and with current partners;
  • Develop accessible report tools at the partner, country and programme level that can be standardized across MM4P;
  • Provide support to country teams to train partners to gather and provide data to support the RM Framework.

Help harmonize global reporting on DFS within UNCDF:

  • Liaise with the Better than Cash Alliance (BTCA), the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) and other UNCDF; programmes engaged in DFS to look at their reporting tools and recommend ways to develop harmonized approaches and tools to RM, providing and seeking support as necessary;
  • Assist UNCDF teams to utilize results chains, indicators and reporting requirements when designing specific interventions;
  • Provide support and guidance to BTCA on M&E for the overall program as well as individual partner projects, as needed;
  • Provide advice and feedback on the development of feasible and measurable targets and indicators;
  • Act as a sounding board and advisor, as required, on the design and implementation of BTCA’s results framework, in the context of the DCED guidelines and UNCDF overarching results framework;
  • Help design progress reports for the purpose of reporting to the Senior Management Committee and UNCDF Funders by project management;
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of tracking and analysis methods, tools and reports that enable BTCA to provide meaningful feedback to partners, stakeholders and funders with a key focus on measuring progress against desired outcomes.

Outputs/deliverables:

  • Detailed Results Framework for MM4P, including theory of change, results chain, key indicators, data collection methodology, reporting formats;
  • Detailed template results framework for digital financial services market development including theory of change, results chain, key indicators, data collection methodology and identified sources, reporting formats;
  • Two fully articulate DFS market development measurement frameworks for two countries;
  • Reporting templates on DFS programme results and DFS country development progress suitable for senior management and UNCDF funders;
  • Training materials (power point, exercises) for UNCDF staff developing results frameworks for digital financial services projects.

Competencies

Technical:

  • Ability to design RM activities and extensive field visits across project states and various thematic areas;
  • Good knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies for monitoring and evaluation, in particular results-based management, results chain design and management, DCED Standards, etc;
  • Working knowledge of current developments in financial sector development and microfinance, including preferable digital financial services; 
  • Working knowledge of international donor organizations and preferably experience in preparing proposals for funding;
  • Good knowledge of programme and project management skills and procedures.

Functional:

  • Excellent speaking and writing skills in English are necessary;
  • Proficiency in French preferred;
  • Excellent analytical skills;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Proven ability to manage projects;
  • Strong IT skills, including software relating to RM and project management;
  • Proven cross-cultural communication.  The candidate(s) should be able to function effectively in an international, multicultural environment;

Managerial/Behavioral:

  • Focus on impact and results for clients and stakeholders;
  • Builds trust in interactions with others;
  • Ability to work with high level officials as well as local communities;
  • Takes initiative and calculated risks;
  • Approaches challenges creatively and effectively, and resolves conflicts;
  • Takes decisions;
  • Demonstrates integrity, exhibits high ethical standards;
  • Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and responds positively to feedback;
  • Committed to team work, working with other stakeholders;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities, and resolve problems.

Corporate:

  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all persons fairly without favoritism;
  • Shows strong corporate commitment;
  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNCDF and UNDP.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • A Masters degree in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, or related discipline.

Experience:

  • 7 Years of experience is desirable in: Analysis and RM methods in the development context; Implementation of RM systems, particularly systems based on participatory approaches and Training in RM development and implementation;
  • Experience monitoring development projects with financial service component, establishing and monitoring performance based indicators, and investigating impact;

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English;
  • Proficiency in French is preferred, but not required. 

Other:

  • Ability to travel to Africa ;
  • Knowledge of UNDP/UNCDF field level organization and advantage.

Timeline:

  • 6 Months (Mid-late October to end March).

Locations(s):

Brussels, Belgium and at least one two other countries (to be determined) and at least one trip to New York, NY*  

  • On-site/in country work days: At least 50% of consultants time must be spend in Brussels and the two countries chosen;
  • Off-site/remote work days: The remainder may be done off-site; 
  • Estimated total number of working days for assignment: 100 days.

Travel costs and Daily Supplemental Allowance (DSA):

  • The consultant should include all costs related to their transportation and stay in Brussels in a lump sum; 
  • Travel costs and DSA for locations other than Brussels will be paid by UNCDF in accordance with UNCDF policies.

Application:

Applications close on 1October 2014. Applications will be rated on both technical and financial submissions. 

The best proposal that will be awarded the contract shall be selected through the following method. Highest rated proposal using the combined scoring method, which assigns the weight distribution between the technical and financial proposals as set out in the RFP.  The weight distribution shall be 70% technical and 30% financial. 

 All applications must contain the following information:

  • Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies in relation to the TOR;
  • Earliest availability and proposed schedule for consultancy;
  • Curriculum Vitae;
  • Completed P11 Personal History Form with names and current contacts of 3 referees (available from http://sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc).

Financial proposal for the full months assignment outlining:

  • Total professional fee (including professional fees, per diems in Brussels (if applicable);
  • Other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc.);
  • Duty travel (return ticket from country of origin to Brussels).

 (available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916)

 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). Please not that in such case the company institution will be asked to issue an [i]RLA.   Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA): A legal instrument between UNCDF and a Company/institution, according to which, the latter makes available the services of an individual delivering time-bound and quantifiable outputs that are directly linked to payments. An RLA is governed by the provisions of this policy.

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.