Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the UNCDF Regional Technical Specialist, the Consultant will specifically undertake the following activities:

• Conduct interviews of relevant employees at ZamPost to understand the corporation’s long-term commercial goals, budgetary priorities, transactions volumes etc.
• Conduct field research in Lusaka, Ndola and 5 rural locations to test assumptions and collect inputs (quantitative & qualitative) for developing financial models for different strategic options available to ZamPost in offering DFS services.
• Lead the financial modelling activity using a range of modelling and scenario-building techniques and tools.
• Assess opportunity offered by available strategic options by performing financial forecasting, developing revenue models and conducting cost benefit analysis of various strategic options available to ZamPost for leveraging DFS services.
• Build a comprehensive Financial Model and 3 Year Business Case, including scenario and risk analysis, for the most suitable strategic option available to ZamPost for leveraging DFS services.
• Provide support and technical inputs to UNCDF DFS Expert towards the design of DFS business strategy for ZamPost.
• Assist UNCDF DFS Expert develop training modules on DFS and train ZamPost personnel from key internal functions/departments (including Operations, Products, Marketing, IT, Finance, Legal).

    The consultant will be required to develop the following deliverables:

• Inputs and attendance to the Vision of Perfect workshop for alignment of expectations.
• Minutes/notes from meetings and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) conducted.
• Financial forecasting and revenue models for different the strategic options.
• Comprehensive Financial Model and support to UNCDF DFS Expert in crafting a DFS strategy for ZamPost.
• Participation in project steering committee for ZamPost and weekly progress meetings.
• Draft Training modules, guides and assessment tools on DFS tailored for key internal teams/functions.

Technical Competencies:

•   Expertise of financial analysis and modeling techniques, tools and concepts;
•   Experience managing or conducting research, particularly related to strategy development;
•   Possesses expert knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and knowledge of Statutory accounting principles;
•    A broad knowledge of concepts in to digital financial inclusion. Good understanding of legal and regulatory issues related to DF;    Experience working with the mass market, including rural or low-income communities, preferably related to financial services;
•   Strong fluency with Excel formulas and functions;

  Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates ethics and integrity;
•  Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Builds confidence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Conducts fair and transparent decision making;
• Creates and promotes open communication;

  Functional Competencies :

• Ability to engage high-level stakeholder and earn trust to source required data and information;
• Excellent analytical skills;
•  Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;

• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;

• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English. Ability to translate complex technical ideas to a non-technical audience in both verbally and in writing;
• Understanding of need for confidentially of information associated with customer and partner data;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Public/Business Administration, Economics or related discipline or the equivalent experience;

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in financial services industry at the national or international level is mandatory;
• A minimum of two (2) years dedicated experience (more desirable) in financial analysis and modeling is required;
• Demonstrated proficiency with financial analysis and modeling techniques/tools;
• Demonstrated proficiency with Excel formulas and functions;
• Understanding of Digital Financial Services concepts and issues related to financial inclusion is highly desirable;
• Ability to translate highly technical terms into language that is easily understood by the layperson;
• Excellent attention to detail, a proactive approach to achieving key results, and a high level of thoroughness in a complex multitasking and matrix management environment;

 Language:

•     Fluency in English.

Timeline, duration of assignment, duty station and expected places of travel:

• Timeline: March 2018 to May 2018.
•  Location(s); The project will be carried out in Lusaka and Ndola.
• Total Number of Working Days for Assignment : 35 days.

  Travel:

•  The consultant is expected to collect inputs for the financial model and strategy through interviews of ZamPost officials in Lusaka and Ndola. Consultant is also expected to conduct field research in different provinces of Zambia (up to 5 rural areas, specific locations to be confirmed) and interview ZamPost existing customers (Swiftcash and Social Cash Transfers Beneficiaries) at ZamPost branches in semi-urban and rural areas.

  Provision of Monitoring, Progress Controls & Payments:

• The consultant will work under the direct supervision of Regional Technical Specialist.
•  Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of 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 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 fle).

 All applications must contain the following information:

• (i) Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies in relation to the TOR;
• (ii) Earliest availability and proposed schedule for consultancy;
• (iii) Curriculum Vitae;
• (iv) A writing sample and a financial model sample;
• (v) 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);
• (vi) Financial proposal for the full months assignment outlining - Total professional fee (including professional fees, local travel expenses including a daily allowance and accommodation costs for field research in any location that it is not the city of residence of the expert. Other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc.). The form is Available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916).
• (vii) Contact details for three references;

   Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Preliminary Evaluation - Step I: Pre-Screening;

Technical Evaluation Weight - 70% x (Step II: 20 Points + Step III: 80 Points = 100 Points);

Financial Evaluation Weight - 30% = Step IV.

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 candidates as per the following criteria.

20- Education/Qualification;

20- Functional competencies for assignment (analytical and writing skills);

30- Experience;

As applicable, only the first top 4 ranked applicants achieving minimum 49 points shall be invited for an interview.

Step III: Interview:

A competency-based Interview shall be conducted for the top 4 shortlisted candidates.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 56 points in the interview will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

Step IV: 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 contact shall be awarded to the 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.   

Note: UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visa´s for consultants. Please explain whether you have necessary permits/status in the duty station of the assignment or whether you are capable to obtain it before the assignment.