Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries.  UNCDF has a unique financial mandate within the UN system. It provides investment capital and technical support to both the public and the private sector. The ability to provide capital financing -- in the forms of grants, soft loans and credit enhancement – and the technical expertise in preparing portfolios of sustainable and resilient capacity building and infrastructure projects, makes its mandate a very useful complement to the mandates of other UN agencies. It also positions UNCDF as an early stage investor to de-risk opportunities that can later be scaled up by institutional financial partners and increasingly by philanthropic foundations and private sector investors.

UNCDF has proven its ability to deliver true leverage on smaller and more risky investments and interventions within its core areas of expertise: Inclusive Finance and Local Development Finance. The concept- proven pilot projects and programmes are replicated and brought to scale with the help and the add-on financing of other development partners with different and complementary mandates.

UNCDF’s work on inclusive finance seeks to develop inclusive financial systems and ensure that a range of financial products is available to all segments of society, at a reasonable cost, and on a sustainable basis. UNCDF supports a wide range of providers (e.g. microfinance institutions, banks, cooperatives, money transfer companies) and a variety of financial products and services (e.g. savings, credit, insurance, payments, and remittances). UNCDF also supports newer delivery channels (e.g. mobile phone networks) that offer tremendous potential for scale.

Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P)

With support from Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (“DFAT” formerly AusAid) and by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), UNCDF launched Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P) in March 2012, a global thematic initiative to address the opportunities and challenges of implementing branchless banking and mobile money in challenging markets in Africa and Asia.  MM4P’s long-term mission is to help low income and rural households in LDCs increase their financial security through appropriate, affordable and secure means to receive, manage and save money through these “digital financial services” (DFS).  To do so, its intermediate goal is to help build inclusive digital financial sectors such that a wide range of digital financial services are provided responsibly, and at reasonable cost, by sustainable institutions in a well-regulated environment.  UNCDF’s starts by defining the different stages of a market’s development and the range of interventions needed at different levels (i.e. macro, meso, micro, client) to move it across the stages.  This combines a making markets work for the poor approach with UNCDF’s traditional operational model of directly supporting the most crucial level – retail service providers.  UNCDF is currently implementing this in 9 countries (Laos, Nepal, Myanmar, Benin, Liberia, Malawi, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia). 

In partnership and with financing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), UNCDF is implementing a “ecosystem support” programme in Uganda to hasten the scalability of digital finance (DF), particularly in rural areas.  This includes a high level of training, technical assistance and grants to financial service providers, agent networks, bulk payers, aggregators and the government of Uganda.

MM4P requires a Knowledge Management Consultant to document and share the knowledge it is generating in Uganda.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Country Technical Specialist for Digital Finance the MM4P Knowledge Management consultant will specifically:

• Contribute to capturing and documenting knowledge generated by UNCDF-MM4P in Uganda (40%); 
• Manage the writing, design and the dissemination of the knowledge generated by the programme in Uganda (30%);
• Contribute to the networking and knowledge sharing among the UNCDF MM4P partners in Uganda (10%);
• Support the organization of conferences, Workshops and Information Exchanges (20%).

Key activities:

The Knowledge Management Consultant will provide support to MM4P’s communications and knowledge sharing strategy in Uganda, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Contribute to capturing and documenting knowledge generated by UNCDF-MM4P in Uganda. Result: MM4P has documented the learnings of its activities in Uganda in a variety of formats that match the different activities (research, technical assistance and grants) the programme team carries out in Uganda.

• Define and agree with the project teams on the best way to document learnings from new projects, contribute to the definition of the learning questions of each activity.
• Follow up the documentation process with project managers to ensure the documentation meets minimum quality standards for future usage in publications.
• Ensure projects are documented visually (photo and/or video).
• Ensure all reports and visual elements are stored in an appropriate manner and according to the filing systems of the programme.
• Establish and maintain a calendar of projects in Uganda with a specific focus on all related KM activities (events, publications, videos etc) per project.

Manage the writing, design and the dissemination of the knowledge generated by the programme in Uganda Result: MM4P has published a series of publications (briefing notes, blog post, research reports) and videos about its activities in Uganda. These products position MM4P as a lead practitioner in digital financial services. 

• Manage the production process all KM outputs for Uganda working with the project teams, relevant operations units, authors, editors and vendors;
• Create and maintain a planning of production to ensure the timely delivery of all KM outputs for internal and external usage
• Write papers and articles/blog post based on the documented results, best practices and lessons learned by each project
• Motivate Uganda team members to contribute to blogs and ghost write blog pieces on project to ensure at least one blog post is produced per month.
• Brief vendors on video projects and monitor such productions on behalf of the team to ensure video production match the quality standards required by UNCDF and its funders.
• Ensure that branding of each publication is consistent with UNCDF branding guidelines and the programme funders’ requirements
• Manage the dissemination of the publications and videos produced in Uganda through the channels used by the programme on a global level i.e. ensuring the publications are uploaded to the website and disseminated via the programmes Newsletter, twitter account etc
• Provide training as need be on knowledge products and knowledge sharing tools to the programme team.

Contribute to the networking and knowledge sharing among the UNCDF-MM4P partners in Uganda. Result: MM4P Uganda is viewed as a reliable, organized, and transparent source of information and takes the lead on sharing information with stakeholders.

• Contribute to the development of the programme’s offline and online community of practice in Uganda by curating content relevant to the partners and identifying topics to stimulate conversation and exchanges of best practices among partners;
• Maintain list serves and contact databases for partners and other stakeholders by ensuring the teams shares on a regular basis all project and other related contacts for the programme;
• Identify opportunities for scholarship or sponsorships for MM4P’s partners, help match events and partners, coordinate logistics and registration of partners with the operational team.

Support MM4P Uganda Conferences, Workshops and Information Exchanges.  Result: MM4P has held results-oriented events in Uganda that receive consistent positive feedback from participants during which action items are pursued. 

• Contribute to brainstorming on creating participatory, knowledge enhancing workshops and events;
• Support the MM4P team on coordination, organizational details and procurement issues related to events;
• Manage guest lists, invitations, organize the creation of information packages, letters of invitation relevant to upcoming events, work with the relevant operations staff;
• Assist with on-site advance preparations for events;
• With team members, assist in contracting speakers or facilitators, as necessary;
• Ensure that all materials and presentations are available on time, shared with participants and accessible (including on the UNCDF website);
• Ensure that participants have shared their feedback on workshops/event according the standard format used by the programme, analyse and provide feedback to teams
• Draft conference / workshop proceedings reports;

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP PC’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Exhibits integrity in the work place, including transparency and honesty.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Ability to oversee communication of projects related to financial inclusion, economic development or other issues pertaining to the sustainable development goals (SDGs);
• Ability to translate complex ideas and technical concepts into plain and snappy language.
• Ability to listen and collaborate with a wide range of players, to work independently, being pro-active and taking the initiative
• Ability to manage new media and share that knowledge with other
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas
• Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications; web design and/or maintenance;
• Ability to manage events, oversee contributions of other actors.

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Interacts with others in a professional, respectful, and friendly manner;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Communicates clearly and convincingly.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, social sciences, or related discipline would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in journalism and communication in the relevant fields of development and financial inclusion;
• Experience in overseeing and writing publications and articles for internal and external audiences as well as coordinating technical writing assignments;
• Experience working with international organizations, developing country governments, donor agencies, and/or NGOs and other civil society groups engaged in diverse sectors of international development;
• Experience overseeing and conducting the communication of projects with a financial inclusion component;
• Experience in branding, communications and experience in media relations, graphic design and video production;
• Experience in organizing events.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English.

Timeline: 

• 6 March 2017 up to 5 March 2018

Location(s):

•  Kampala, Uganda

Total number of working days for assignment:

• Total Number of Working Days: 240 for the 12 months of assignment; the contract is renewable for another 12 months; total number of working days is 480.

Please note that UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visa´s for consultants. Consultants are responsible for securing their work documentation. In the case of national consultants, applicants that are not nationals of the duty station requested will have to prove their residence status.  Please note that consultants will not be compensated for living expenses.

Travel:

• Any travel expenses to join duty station (Kampala) must be quoted in the financial proposal.
• Regular travel to the field may be required and will be compensated according to UN polices.  

Provision of Monitoring, Progress Controls & Payments:

• The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Uganda Country Technical Specialist with indirect supervision of the Knowledge Management and Communications Senior Associate (based in Brussels).
• Payment will be made on periodical basis in accordance with number of days worked and upon satisfactorily achieved deliverables. All payments are subject to the clearance and approval of the direct supervisor.
• Final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.

Application: 

Interested individuals must submit the following documents as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications. NOTE: the system does not allow multiple uploads of document. Applicants must make sure to upload all documents in one PDF file:

• Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies in relation to the TOR.
• Earliest availability and proposed schedule for consultancy.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Completed and signed P11 Personal History Form with names and current contacts of 3 referees (available from http://sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc).
• Signed financial proposal for the full assignment outlining the total professional fee (including professional fees, per diem in Kampala) other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc.), duty travel (return ticket from country of origin to Kampala, Uganda). The form is available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure that you have provided all requested materials in one PDF file.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology

Preliminary Evaluation - Step I: Screening

Technical Evaluation Weight - 70% x (Step II: 20 Points + Step III: 30 points + Step IV: 50 Points = 100 Points)

Financial Evaluation Weight - 30% = Step V

Step I: Screening

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following minimum criteria (listed under education and experience) will progress to the pool for shortlisting.

Step II: Shortlisting by Desk Review

UNCDF will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate them.

As applicable, only the first top 5 ranked applicants achieving 70% of the points at this stage shall be invited for a written test.

Step III: Written test

A written test will be administered to the top 5 shortlisted candidates. The test will be scored with pass/fail, the minimum score to pass being 70%.

Step IV: Interview

A competency-based Interview shall be conducted for the candidates who passed the written test.

Step V: Financial Evaluation

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Steps II (20 points) + III (30 points) + IV (50 points) will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: Lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%.

Award Criteria:

The contract shall be awarded to the best applicant whose offer have been evaluated and determined as: responsive/compliant/acceptable and having received the highest combined weight (technical proposal & Interview) 70% + financial 30%= 100%.

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). Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.