Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries (LDCs). It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to inclusive finance and investment capital.  UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia and the Pacific, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis.  It can provide seed capital both grants and loans as well as technical support that will improve poor peoples’ lives.

UNCDF works to enlarge peoples’ choices: it believes that poor people and communities should take decisions about their own development. UNCDF works in challenging environments – remote rural areas, countries emerging from conflict – and paves the way for others to follow. Its programmes are designed to catalyze larger investment flows from the private sector, development partners and national governments, for significant impact on the Millennium Development Goals, especially Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, and Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability.

Established by the General Assembly in 1966 and with headquarters in New York, UNCDF is an autonomous UN organization affiliated with UNDP.

The Better Than Cash Alliance is a partnership of governments, companies and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth. Billions of dollars in cash payments and transfers are made daily in emerging and developing economies, including payment of salaries, social welfare and relief, payments to suppliers, remittances, etc. The problems with these cash payments include a lack of transparency, accountability and security, as well as inefficiency.  Furthermore, the individuals who receive the cash payments are often part of the 2 billion excluded from the formal financial sector.  This means they are excluded from access to a range of appropriate and affordable financial services to help them save safely take advantage of economic opportunities and reduce their vulnerability to risk. Shifting these payments from cash to digital has the potential to improve the lives of low-income people, particularly women, while giving governments, the development community and the private sector a more transparent, time and cost efficient, and often-safer means of disbursing payments.

The Better Than Cash Alliance partners with governments, companies, and international organizations that are the key drivers behind the transition to make digital payments widely available by:

• Advocating for the transition from cash to digital payments in a way that advances financial inclusion and promotes responsible digital finance;
• Conducting research and sharing the experiences of our members to inform strategies for making the transition;
• Catalyzing the development of inclusive digital payments ecosystems in member countries to reduce costs, increase transparency, advance financial inclusion-- particularly for women-- and drive inclusive growth.

For more information about the Better Than Cash Alliance, please visit the website http://www.betterthancash.org/

Duties and Responsibilities

The Access to Information (a2i) Programme is an UNDP and USAID supported project (programme) having its office at the Prime Ministers’ Office. The overall objective of the project is to provide support in building a digital nation through delivering services at the citizen’s doorsteps. The programme aims to improve quality, widen access, and decentralize delivery of public services to ensure responsiveness and transparency.

The Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA) and a2i are looking to hire a Digital Payments Consultant for Business to Person (B2P) and Person to Business (P2B) payments to assist a2i to design, implement and advocate the B2P and P2B payments strategy and roadmap for the private sector with specific focus on FMCG sector, Garment sectors, Utility Providers and Education Boards in Bangladesh. The initiative will be implemented by a2i in close collaboration with the Finance Division, Bangladesh Bank and various business organizations and associations.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Under the supervision of the a2i Program Manager-DFS and closely supported by the Better Than Cash Alliance Programme Specialist for Asia, the incumbent will support the design, implement and advocate the B2P and P2B payments strategy and roadmap with specific focus on the FMCG sector, Garment sectors, Utility Providers and Education Boards in Bangladesh. Key duties include:

Strategy and Roadmap Implementation (150 days)

Covering the following:

• In close coordination with a2i’s DFS lab - provide inputs into design recommendations and implementation roadmap for digitizing the B2P & P2B (e.g. salary, payroll, purchases, utility bills and education fees) payments stream;
• Work closely with a2i and other stakeholders to identify priority business sectors and partners to drive B2P & P2B digitization in Bangladesh;
• Define relevant partnerships with identified business partners to implement pilots and projects;
• Design and provide project management support for key pilots/projects;
• Assist to design innovative digital B2P payment solutions for business organizations and evidence business case with them;
• Convene B2P taskforce regularly to create a platform to discuss B2P digitization efforts, challenges, new opportunities and to share progress on roadmap activities;
• Work with relevant stakeholders to review legal, regulatory and policy environment for B2P & P2B payments and provide recommendations for increased digitization.

Key Deliverable: Project Implemented as per agreed project implementation plan, aimed at digitizing the B2P and P2B payments stream.

Monitoring and Evaluation (50 days)

• In coordination with a2i DFS lab+ and other stakeholders, provide the inputs to gather and analyze data from implementation of initiatives (by working closely with a2i's result management team to ensure monitoring and evaluation of the project activities);
• Lead on developing all required project management and reporting tools, reports and indicators, required for efficient, effective reporting;
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of reports to stakeholders and others.

Key Deliverable: Monitoring tools and a compliance monitoring process approved and in place to support a2i's result management team effective monitoring and evaluation of the project activities

• Assist with planning and execution of digital payments ecosystem convening events and other related public engagements in member countries.

Advocacy and communication (50 days)

• Communicate and manage relationships with businesses, business associations and financial service providers;
• Design and organize various meetings, workshops, orientation sessions and policy dialogues across the stakeholders engaged in B2P & P2B payment stream;
• Coordinate publication and documentation of various B2P & P2B relevant documentation (e.g. case studies, focus note, research papers, event reports);
• Draft articles and reports for website and blog post;
• Support promotional and public communications events.

Key Deliverables: effective organization of the meetings, workshops, orientation sessions and policy dialogues across the stakeholders engaged in B2P & P2B payment stream with coordinated publication and documentation of various B2P relevant documentation

Deliverables

Institutional Arrangement

Under the supervision and direction of the Asia Pacific Regional Lead, the assignment will support successful implementation the B2P & P2B payment digitization roadmap.  The consultant will support the following key results of the roadmap:

• Overall execution of B2P & P2B payment activities;
• Increased engagement of policy makers & business associations on digital payment activities;
• Increased engagement between a2i, private sector organizations, Utility providers on digitizing payments;
• Implementation of selected B2P & P2B digital payment pilots/projects;
• Overall increase in B2P & P2B digital payments across Bangladesh.

Duration of the Work

This is an assignment that will have an initial duration of twelve (12) months with 250 working days.  Within the said period, UNCDF will determine the viability of extension subject to UNCDF needs, availability of funds and the performance.

Duty Station

a)    The duty station/location for the contract duration is Dhaka, Bangladesh;
b)    If there is any approved travel, UNCDF will pay separately travel expenses (economy airfare, terminal expenses and per diems which include hotel and food expenses) according to standard UN rates based on evidence of approved and actual travel.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrates political acumen and calculated risk taking;
• Builds own competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Creates and promotes open communication;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Conducts fair and transparent decision making;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Shows strong corporate commitment.

Functional Competencies
Professional

• Good analytical, and diplomatic skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision (self-development, initiative-taking)
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Ability to build and leverage networks (internal and external) to identify pilot and stakeholder needs and opportunities
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a team as well as individually
• Excellent attention to detail, a proactive approach to achieving key results, a high level of thoroughness in a complex multitasking environment and a strict adherence to deadlines;
• Proven ability to manage conflict and facilitate /encourage open communications in the team, to promote effective communication
• Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing from self and others
• Informed and transparent decision making
• Ability to work under pressure
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Effective spokesperson, engaging stakeholders and groupings, both private sector senior corporate leaders and government ministers, to advance the implementation of the B2P payments infrastructure pilot

Technical

• Working knowledge of B2P & P2B payments (preferred digital payments experience);
• Working knowledge of current developments in payment technologies, including innovative payment methods (e.g., mobile financial services, pre-paid/reloadable/other cards, etc.);
• Experience in business case development;
• Experience in project management;
• Understanding of key issues and international good practice relating to financial inclusion;
• Excellent presentation and representation skills in multicultural contexts;
• Ability to translate complex technical ideas to a non-technical audience in both verbally and in writing;
• Working knowledge of private sector, government ministries/entities and international donor organizations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• A Master’s degree in a public/business administration, finance, social sciences, or related discipline
• Additional training related to digital financial services, and project management is highly desirable.

Experience

• At least 5 years working experience in private sector
• Experience in working with business sector/financial institution/ supply chain will be given preferences;
• Demonstrated experience in project management;
• Experience in design and organization of different workshop, events;
• Excellent MS Office and internet skills are required.

Languages

• Excellent oral and written English communication skills;
• Fluency in local language -Bengali is preferred.

Schedule of Payments

Payments will be made based on the percentage of contract price corresponding to the deliverables stated above, and upon approval of ASIA PAC BTCA Regional Lead, UNCDF that the individual has delivered on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 

Recommended Presentation of Offer

The following documents are requested:

a)    Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability;
b)    Personal CV or P11 (http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc), 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;
c)    Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

Please include all documents into one file while submitting your application.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Consultants will be evaluated based on UNDP’s cumulative analysis method. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract shall be made to the consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable vis-à-vis the requirements of the TOR and the project operating environment; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (70%) and financial (30%) criteria.

The Better Than Cash Alliance will conduct a review of a profile (technical evaluation) that matches applicants experience and expertise to the key tasks outlined in the consultancy. These are detailed under each of the following Key work areas noted above:

• Programme Development and Management (20 points);
• Programme Support (50 points);
• Stakeholder and Partner Consultation (30 points).

Only the top candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points in the review of profile will be considered for Technical Interviews.  Technical interviews will explore the same key work areas, in greater depth, with the same weighting.

Technical proposal = Review of a profile (30%) + Technical Interview (40%).

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when traveling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

Both individual consultants and individuals 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. UNCDF 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.

References

UNDP’s Individual Consultant’s General Terms and Conditions are provided here:
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf