Background

United Nations Capital Development Fund and inclusive Finance:

UNCDF is the UN’s capital development agency for the world’s least developed countries (LDCs). UNCDF uses its capital mandate to help LDCs pursue inclusive growth. UNCDF’s last mile financing models help eradicate poverty, mobilizing public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, which benefit poor people, small businesses, and under-served regions. These models focus on those areas where available resources for development are scarcest; where market failures are most pronounced; and where benefits from national growth tend to leave people excluded. UNCDF does this in two ways. First, by showing how localized public finance - through fiscal decentralization, innovations in municipal finance, and structured project finance - can drive public/private funding for essential infrastructure and services which underpins local economic expansion. Second, UNCDF supports savings-led financial inclusion which expands the opportunities for poor individuals and households and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to better manage their financial lives, plan for the future, and climb out of poverty.

Shaping Inclusive Finance Transformations (SHIFT) Programme in SAARC countries:

UNCDF’s SHIFT SAARC programme is a regional market-facilitation initiative that seeks to stimulate investment, business innovations, and regulatory reform to expand the economic participation of and opportunities for low-income people, especially women, and small and growing businesses to be active agents in the formal economy across the SAARC region. At the regional level, the SHIFT SAARC programme framework will deploy its efforts on specifically removing market constraints limiting women’s equal access to economic opportunities and participation in the markets. SHIFT SAARC aims to reach at least one million low income people by 2021, 65% of whom are women, and 30,000 small and growing businesses be given access and use to financial services to secure opportunities for employment, enterprise development, and increased sustainable consumption.

Bangladesh is the first country of implementation under SHIFT SAARC Programme with focus on accelerating uptake and usage of digital financial services (DFS) responding to the needs of expanding financial inclusion through digital pathways. The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has prioritized Financial Inclusion through Digital Financial Services (DFS) as one of the key strategies towards achieving middle income country status by 2021 as described in the Seventh Five Year Plan 2016-2020. Expanding financial inclusion through digital pathways is also crucial for the country in achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Built upon these macro level national plans, SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh’s approach is based on the principle that access to digital accounts can significantly improve financial inclusion and therefore provide needed solutions to low income people, women and Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of Bangladesh to weather financial shocks and avail income generating opportunities.

SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh focuses on narrowing the gender gap in financial access and usage through support for more enabling policy and regulations in DFS. The intervention is expected to lead to the presence of a critical number of providers that are willing to significantly invest in expanding digital finance infrastructure, offering greater value to women in particular through a wider range of financial services. The intervention also seeks to support people and businesses to take up DFS offering because of greater consumer protection.

In addition, UNCDF initiative supports downstream market development, as a complement to the policy and regulatory work, focusing on providing integrated business solutions to small retail merchant leveraging digital pathways. This will contribute to widening retail payment systems in the country and increase flow of credit to MSMEs

OBJECTIVES :

In this assignment, the incumbent will be working with the SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh programme team. Since inception in mid-2016, the programme has been working to make DFS widely recognized by Bangladesh regulators and financial service providers as enabler of financial inclusion resulting in more favourable regulatory considerations allowing for greater penetration of DFS, diversification of DFS providers and products and services, crowding in of investments and increasing appetite among private sector players in expanding digital accounts especially targeting small businesses and women. UNCDF is trying to achieve this by: generating knowledge and providing technical supports to improve the policy and regulatory environment; building national advocacy and regulatory capacity; strengthening alliances between DFS regulators and the private sector (meso level organizations, banks and MNOs), and increasing prominence of DFS issues through facilitating educational communication campaigns.

In implementing SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh programme, UNCDF is utilizing its proven programmatic blueprint based on four streams of work adapted for the Bangladesh context to achieve the objectives:

• Data and Analysis:

1. Increased use of evidence and policy analysis by DFS regulators to draft national DFS policy, regulations and national strategies in Bangladesh by 2020.

• Capacity Development

1. Improved understanding of how DFS works and how to regulate it among DFSregulators, DFS providers and key stakeholders by 2020.
2. Enhanced capacities of retail micro-merchants, FMCG value chains, business associations and business development service providers in adopting DFS andother technologies for business growth.

• Policy & Advocacy

1. Improved national advocacy capacity in support of DFS and Financial Inclusion by 2020.
2. Strengthened coalitions and cooperation among DFS regulators, DFS providers, meso level organizations and businesses on DFS by 2020.
3. Increased salience of DFS on the financial inclusion agendas of policymakers by 2020.

• Innovation & Communication:

1. Increased salience of DFS on the financial inclusion agenda of DFS providers,financial institutions and meso level organizations in the DFS eco-system in Bangladesh by 2020.

The programme is now at the mid phase of implementation since inception in mid-2016, a good number of partnerships and wide range of activities have been rolled out during this period. During this implementation pathway, several research have been conducted to generate evidence on current status of DFS ecosystem in Bangladesh with particular focus on key regulatory issues and merchant payments. SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh will continue generating data and evidences for policy advocacy and promoting enabling DFS ecosystem till 2020.

In his/her role as Research & Knowledge Management Consultant, the incumbent will support the design, commissioning and supervision of the upcoming research, data generation and knowledge product development activities of the programme as per the implementation plan. The consultant will also contribute to SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh knowledge products synthesizing research findings and lessons into formats tailored to government, DFS providers, private sector and donors.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work:

• Support in designing Terms of Reference, implementation & dissemination strategy for (i) Microfinance Digitization research (ii) DFS Consumer Behavior Study (iii) Micro-merchant centric data generation & research and other new sector specific exploratory research undertaken during the contracted period as per the project implementation plan;
• Use demand, supply and policy level data for Bangladesh, collected through field surveys and available data sources, to develop financial inclusion and digital financial services related insights, knowledge materials and policy notes ensuring gender inclusion in such analysis;
• Periodically harvest, curate, and disseminate available data sources on financial inclusion and digital financial services with particular reference to Findex, Financial Inclusion Insights, Mix Market data, World Development Indicators, Global Gender Report, Financial diaries and other datasets;
• Work with Communications Officer to produce and coordinate presentation and communication materials including reports, policy notes, graphs, charts, info-graphics, blogs and other presentation material based on qualitative and quantitative research findings. Disseminate knowledge at forums, webinars, and workshops;
• Identify areas where communications and data-sharing can enhance efficiency, encourage collaboration and generate incentives to innovate in Bangladesh on digital financial inclusion;
• Support development of policy notes, background papers, discussion highlights and other knowledge products for Digital Finance Consultative Group (DFCG) learning sessions, high level policy dialogues and issue based meetings with DFS regulators and private sector stakeholders;
• Support in developing background papers/ notes on thematic DFS issues, session proceedings and communication materials outlined for the International Conference scheduled in September 2019;
• Undertake case studies and publish knowledge products (i.e. blogs, articles, reports etc.) based on the micro-merchant centered business innovation models supported by the programme;
• Support in executive mentoring and capacity development of DFS policy makers and regulators through developing presentations and session contents;
• Create and manage a knowledge management depository for the programme with all accomplished research and knowledge products;
• Coordinate data generation, research and knowledge management activities throughout the contracted period engaging with concerned public and private sector stakeholders in Bangladesh.

Deliverables:

 Supervision and Performance Evaluation:

The Research and Knowledge Management Consultant will report to the Country Project Coordinator of SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh Programme. The Country Project Coordinator will be responsible for reviewing the performance and approve the deliverables of the Consultant.

Consultancy fees will be paid upon satisfactory completion of services after submission of timesheets based on utilization of allocated days on a monthly basis as per the payment schedule.

Tentative payment schedule:

1st payment (5% of the total contract value) will be paid after submission of develop training module contents and capture results of at least 01 advocacy capacity building training for private sector DFS stakeholders and accepted by the contract administrator

2nd payment (11% of the total contract value) will be paid after development of thematic background papers/ notes on thematic DFS issues, session proceedings and communication materials for the International Conference scheduled in last quarter of 2018 & accepted by the contract administrator

3rd payment (10% of the total contract value) will be paid after designing the Terms of Reference, implementation & dissemination strategy for the (i) Microfinance Digitization research (ii) DFS Consumer Behavior Study and (iii) Sector specific exploratory research if undertaken by the programme and accepted by the contract administrator

4th payment (4% of the total contract value) will be paid after developing the policy notes, background papers, discussion highlights and other knowledge products for at least 05 Digital Finance Consultative Group (DFCG) learning sessions/ high level policy dialogues/ issue based meetings with DFS regulators and private sector stakeholders and accepted by the contract administrator

5th payment (5% of the total contract value) will be paid after designing and conducting at least 02 executive mentoring and capacity development training for DFS policy makers and regulators through developing presentations, session contents and capturing results and accepted by the contract administrator

6th payment (15% of the total contract value) will be paid after developing at least 03 knowledge products synthesizing research findings and lessons into formats tailored to government, DFS providers, private sector and donors. and accepted by the contract administrator

7th payment (13% of the total contract value) will be paid after produce communication materials including reports, graphs, charts, info-graphics, blogs and other presentation material based on qualitative and quantitative research findings. Disseminate knowledge at forums, webinars, and workshops and accepted by the contract administrator

8th payment (11% of the total contract value) will be paid after undertake case studies and publish at least 03 knowledge products (i.e. blogs, articles, reports etc.) based on the micro-merchant centered business innovation models supported by the programme and accepted by the contract administrator

9th payment (13% of the total contract value) will be paid after provide support Micro-merchant centric data generation, web platform management, research and knowledge product development and accepted by the contract administrator

Final payment (13% of the total contract value) will be paid after Create, manage and regularly update a knowledge management depository for the programme with all accomplished research products and knowledge materials by the contract administrator

 Duty Station

The consultant is expected to work with the SHIFT SAARC in Bangladesh team based in UNCDF office in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Travel and Daily Subsistence Allowance:

No DSA will be paid at the duty station. If there is any approved travel requested by UNCDF, 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 will be paid separately by UNCDF.

Duration:

The duration of the assignment will be 230 working days over a period of 12 months.

Competencies

• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills;
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Strong Knowledge on policy landscape of Bangladesh financial sector and inclusive finance ecosystem is essential.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications

Minimum Masters in Economics / Development Studies / Business Administration/ Data Science or similar studies

Experience:

• Minimum 04 years of experience with strong background in research and knowledge management
• Strong background and proven experience in quantitative and qualitative research, preferably in inclusive finance, digital financial services and micro-enterprise development. Candidates are recommended to share research project titles/ links/ evidences of research outputs they have designed/ managed in the CV/ P11 form.
• Experience in data analytics and related software utilization skills in data analysis is preferred
• Proven experience in designing, conducting and managing research and producing high quality reports on inclusive finance and digital finance issues
• Affiliation and interest in the fields of digital financial inclusion innovations and big data
• Good presentation skills (including working with for example PPT, Prezi, webinar software)
• Proven functional skills in analytical writing and producing high quality reports
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi- cultural environment

Language:

Fluency in English is required (written and oral) and Bengali preferred.

Lump sum contracts:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

In-country travel (if required) will be met by UNDP and DSA will be paid as per UNDP policy. If unforeseen travel outside the Duty Station not required by the Terms of Reference, is requested by UNDP, and upon prior written agreement, such travel be at the UNDP’s expense and the Individual Contractor shall receive a per diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate in such other location(s).

Evaluation of the Candidates:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Cumulative analysis-

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant up on Cumulative Analysis/evaluation and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% mark in technical evaluation will be considered eligible for financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation Criteria (Total 70 marks):

1. Experience in designing, conducting and managing quantitative and qualitative research- 25 marks
2. Experience in research and knowledge management related to inclusive finance, digital finance and micro-enterprise development issues- 20 Marks
3. Experience in developing knowledge products and high-quality research reports - 25 marks

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 marks)

All technical qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below.

The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals received points according to the following formula:

p = y (µ/z)

Where:

• p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated;
• y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal;
• µ = price of the lowest priced proposal;
• z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Proposers who shall not submit below mentioned documents will not be considered for further evaluation.

• 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; P11 can be downloaded from the link below: http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/operations/jobs/
• Financial Proposal: Financial Proposal has to be submitted through a standard interest and availability template which can be downloaded from the link below:

http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.