Background
The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries.
With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; and by showing how localized investments—through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance—can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development.
By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty and SDG 17 on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs.
UNCDF in Rwanda
Financial services have a critical role to play in mitigating refugee situations and assisting in a manner that is effective, accountable and ensures resilience especially for forcibly displaces persons and their host communities in protracted situations. Affordable access to financial services can help refugees and underserved members of communities in the surrounding areas cope with negative shocks, reduce exposure to risk and stimulate economic activity at community levels.
As part of its Expanding Access to Finance for Refugees and Host Communities in Rwanda programme, UNCDF Rwanda is championing the provision of appropriate and sustainable formal and informal financial services complemented with digital and financial literacy for refugees and host communities. Informal financial services will be delivered through the creation and strengthening of savings groups whereas formal financial services will be delivered through partnerships established with financial services providers (FSPs) and mobile network operators (MNOs) invested in reaching unbanked populations in refugee camps and surrounding rural areas.
Because participation in savings groups and usage of mobile financial services can have a clear and direct impact on livelihoods, economic growth, and inclusive social and economic development, UNCDF supports these interventions, along with the necessary financial and digital literacy to use them, in and around the refugee camps in Rwanda, benefiting both the refugee and host communities, with a focus on women and youth.
UNCDF is cognizant of the fact that to be successful, FSPs must acquire and serve potential refugee and host community customers cost effectively. One of the main benefits of targeting camp-based refugee customers and host community members in a specific district is the opportunity to sign up customers in bulk, which will reduce the average cost of acquisition. The choice of channels (branches, automated teller machines [ATMs], agents, and mobile money) deployed by FSPs and the proximity of these resources to refugee and host community populations, impacts costs for both FSPs and refugee and host community customers, and drives the likelihood that they will use the product. Bank and mobile money agents are examples of channels that will be deployed and enhanced within refugee camps relatively quickly and without the capital expenditure associated with branches and ATMs. Also, agents will be trained to explain how products work and help customers to perform simple transactions. During the life of the programme, UNCDF will work with two or more FSPs to improve their product offerings and enable them to reach more refugees and host community members.
Access to Finance for Refugees and Host Communities
There are currently over 150,000 refugees in Rwanda who remain “thinly” financially included, and who do not yet use available financial services regularly or to their greatest benefit. Both formal services and informal services, such as savings groups, have yet to reach a great number of refugees, particularly women and youth. The lack of access to a broad range of beneficial financial services exacerbates problems faced by refugees and limits their opportunities for economic growth and self-reliance. Limited access to financial products and services means that refugees have a limited ability to grow their businesses and further increase income via savings, investment and credit. This means that refugees often have low resistance to financial shocks given a lack of safeguards such as insurance, social funds (via savings groups), or assets that could be sold in a time of need or urgency. Outside of the refugee camps, a high number of Rwandan adults, 89%, are considered financially included, however, only 68% of these have access to and use formal products. The underserved Rwandans, 65% of whom are women, face many of the same challenges as refugees and can benefit from more accessible, convenient and affordable services. UNCDF’s expertise in the promotion and strengthening of savings groups – for both citizens and refugees – provides a natural point of linkage between the formal and informal financial worlds.
Low levels of usage show that there is a need not only to increase financial capability and digital literacy on the demand side, but to build the capacity of providers to develop new and modify existing products on the supply side. Among refugees, there is limited savings group promotion, an intervention that would guide many in learning to save on a regular basis and manage credit prior to accessing formal services. Additionally, refugees have been observed to see formal services as simply money transfers and are more apt to simply withdraw upon receipt of CBTs, rather than using current or savings accounts to keep money safe and access larger loans.
Through a market-led approach, starting with savings and adding product offerings, along with complementary digital and financial literacy, UNCDF sees the potential to produce positive change in Rwanda for both refugees and host communities. By using savings groups as a point of entry, UNCDF will reach refugees and members of the surrounding Rwandan host communities, a majority of whom are women and youth, with demand-driven, client-centric financial services supported by targeted financial and digital literacy programmes that will help them make good financial choices and increase their households’ incomes. Project objectives are to provide:
- New technologies for financial and digital literacy that also allow for improved data collection on beneficiaries;
- Better adapted financial products (both formal and informal) with a focus on savings first and;
- Stronger evidence that can be disseminated amongst government, public and private stakeholders for improved women’s economic inclusion and self-reliance.
Objectives of the Assignment
UNCDF is looking for a consultant with experience in Digital Financial Services (DFS) and supporting Financial Service Providers (FSPs) to provide technical expertise and inputs to its FSP partners in the Expanding Access to Finance for Refugees and Host Communities in Rwanda programme.
The overall objective of the assignment is for the consultant to provide technical expertise and support to UNCDF’s financial service provider (FSP) partners on the following activities:
- Technical input and delivery of support to the FSP partners in Rwanda in the delivery and quality assurance of the following deliverables:
Financial products for refugees and host communities, with a focus on savings first;
Integration of new technologies for financial and digital literacy that allow for improved data collection on target beneficiaries.
Training of agents and staff of the FSPs to effectively implement the activities above (delivering financial services tailored to refugee/host community populations and integrating financial and digital literacy into product and service offerings).
- Technical support to UNCDF’s FSP and Savings Groups implementation partners on the linkage of savings groups to formal financial institutions, including the partner FSPs.
- Assist UNCDF Rwanda team on additional topics as needed.
This solicitation is for a Framework agreement, also known in UNCDF as the Long-Term Agreement (LTA) which has a duration of one year with the possibility of extension for two (2) more years, based on the satisfactory performance of an individual consultant, project needs and funding availability. An “LTA” refers to a mutual agreement whereby the Consultant will provide services as required, over a specific period. It specifies the unit price (daily rate) allowing for an LTA to be used when the Consultant’s services are needed.
Purpose of the Framework Agreement
UNCDF would like to enter into a non-exclusive Framework Agreement, also known as Long-Term Agreement (LTA), with the consultant who will perform the services described below on a need-basis. In UNCDF, an LTA is a framework agreement by and between UNCDF and a company or individual where the latter may, at any time within the duration of the LTA, be required to render the agreed services at the agreed and fixed unit prices for a minimum period of 12 months, with potential extension for up to two (2) additional years, depending on satisfactory performance.
Under an LTA, UNCDF does not guarantee that any specific quantity of services shall be purchased during the term of this agreement. The LTA does not form a financial obligation or commitment from UNCDF at the time the LTA contract is signed and that such an agreement is non-exclusive.
Where a request for service arises, UNCDF can engage the individual on LTA through a “call-off” of the LTA. Every call-off shall have specific tasks, scope of services and outputs to be delivered within a specific period. For this work, the call-off shall be formalized through the issuance of a Purchase Order, attaching thereto the TOR, and any other document relevant to the call-off. Financial commitments will only be established each time a Purchase Order for the specific services/TOR for Individual Contractor is committed.
The LTA shall have a cumulative ceiling amount that may accrue to the individual contractor during the life of the LTA, but said amount shall remain as an upper limit, and must not and cannot be interpreted nor understood as neither a financial commitment nor guarantee of business volume.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator and the Programme Specialist, the Financial Service Provider (FSP) Consultant will be responsible for:
Key scope of services | Details | Final products | Estimated number of days per year |
Conducting an assessment of the financial service providers activities to create an organizational process map that identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the FSP partners
| 1. Conduct an assessment of partner financial service providers in terms of organizational processes and practices. 2. Draft a comprehensive organizational process map that includes the organization’s product development, marketing and implementation process and identifies their areas of strength and weakness 3. Integrate background information on good practices particular to the situations of refugees and displaced persons so that technical assistance can target their specific contexts and needs. 4. Draft a feasible work plan outlining how/when/why support should be provided to the FSPs to ensure successful product development and integration of financial and digital literacy into their processes. 5. Conduct an intensive 1-week refresher training for UNCDF’s implementing FSP partners to train their agents on best practices for responsible delivering financial services to refugees and host community populations
| Organizational process map that includes the organization’s product development, marketing and implementation process and identifies their areas of strength and weakness
Workplan summarizing the assessment and proposed methodology to provide tailored support to the FSPs to harness their strengths and overcome their challenges
Training module/materials guiding approach FSP staff and agents should adopt for successful product implementation and integration of digital and financial literacy into product offerings
Training report summarizing outcomes of Staff and Agent Training for UNCDF’s FSP implementing partners
| 20 |
Conducting training for SG staff to train them on and support them to responsibly implement products and services for refugee populations and successfully link savings groups to formal financial institutions. This support should include both good practices for host communities as well as those practices particular to the context and needs of refugees and displaced persons.
| 6. Conduct an assessment of partner savings group knowledge, experience and practices in linking savings groups to formal financial institutions 7. Integrate background information on good practices particular to the situations of refugees and displaced persons so that technical assistance can target their specific contexts and needs. 8. Draft plan to support SG partners to link savings groups to formal financial institutions 9. Conduct an intensive 1-week training for UNCDF’s implementing partners to train them on SG methodology and/or review best practices for linking SGs to formal financial institutions 10. Submit a report with recommendations and activities to guide UNCDF in next steps.
| Workplan summarizing assessment and proposed methodology for training
Training module/materials detailing the approach to be used to link savings groups to formal financial institutions and how it is implemented in practice
Training report summarizing outcomes of the SG Linkage to Formal Financial Institutions Training for UNCDF’s SG implementing partners
| 10 |
Provide technical assistance to UNCDF’s implementing partners to successfully troubleshoot any challenges that arise during the roll out of new/adapted financial products and services and the integration of financial and digital literacy into product offerings and linkages of SGs to formal financial institutions
| 11.Provide advice and support services to UNCDF’s implementing partners during the first three months of the program’s implementation to ensure that any issues related to the pilot of the financial products in the target refugee camps are handled appropriately and that the SG implementing partners are on track to successfully link savings groups to formal financial institutions, including UNCDF’s partner FSPs | Meeting minutes with implementing partners
Guidance notes and strategic support documents identifying issues encountered and mitigation measures
| 30 |
Total number of days |
|
| 60 |
Final Products
| Key scope of services | Deliverables |
Output 1 | Conducting an assessment of the financial service providers activities to create an organizational process map that identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the FSP partners
| *Submitted and accepted organizational process map that includes the organization’s product development, marketing and implementation process and identifies their areas of strength and weakness
*Finalized workplan summarizing the assessment and proposed methodology to provide tailored support to the FSPs to harness their strengths and overcome their challenges
*Prepared & submitted training module/materials providing guidelines for FSP staff and agents to adopt for successful product implementation and integration of digital and financial literacy into product offerings
*Submitted and accepted training report summarizing outcomes of Staff and Agent Training for UNCDF’s FSP implementing partners
|
Output 2 | Conducting training for SG staff to train them on and support them to responsibly implement products and services for refugee populations and successfully link savings groups to formal financial institutions. This support should include both good practices for host communities as well as those practices particular to the context and needs of refugees and displaced persons.
| *Submitted and accepted workplan summarizing assessment and proposed methodology for training
*Prepared and submitted training module/materials detailing the approach to be used to link savings groups to formal financial institutions and how it is implemented in practice
*Submitted and accepted training report summarizing outcomes of the SG Linkage to Formal Financial Institutions Training for UNCDF’s SG implementing partners |
Output 3 | Provide technical assistance to UNCDF’s implementing partners to successfully troubleshoot any challenges that arise during the roll out of new/adapted financial products and services and the integration of financial and digital literacy into product offerings and linkages of SGs to formal financial institutions
| Submitted and accepted meeting minutes with implementing partners
*Finalized & submitted guidance notes and strategic support documents identifying issues encountered and mitigation measures
|
Duration of Assignment, Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel
Contract duration: The assignment, under this Framework Agreement (On Call basis), is expected to have a duration of one year with the possibility of extension for two (2) more years, based on the satisfactory performance of an individual consultant, project needs and funding availability.
Number of working days: up to 60 working days per year.
Duty station: The individual contractor is expected to be home-based in Kigali, Rwanda with travel to the field (refugee camps and host communities) as needed. The schedule of travel will be negotiated with the consultant according to the requirements of each task.
Travel: Travel costs associated to the assignment will be paid as reimbursable basis and following the UNDP/UNCDF rules and regulations which states that consultants shall only be paid the most direct and most economical ticket, as will be quoted by the official UN travel agency. Any amount in excess of the said quotation, such as class and airline preference of the consultant, shall be borne by the consultant and the daily living allowance will be paid as per UN Rate.
Monitroing and Progress Control
The consultant will work under direct supervision of the UNCDF Programme Specialist and/or his designate, and in close collaboration with in-country team.
The consultant will have regular communication with the supervisor via email and skype for coordination and guidance purposes, ensuring consultant’s output quality and targets.
The consultant is responsible for providing his/her own laptop during the course of his/her engagement with UNCDF.
Payment to an Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days agreed with UNCDF as reflected in the call off (PO) and upon certification of satisfactory performance, and acceptance of the output by the UNCDF Programme Specialist and/or his designate.
The following supporting documents will serve as conditions for disbursement: (i) submission of an invoice and Certificate of Payment (COP); (ii) review, approval and written acceptance of each deliverable by the UNCDF Programme Specialist and/or his designate; (iii) submission of a time-sheet and expenses with relevant supporting documentation; and (iv) an authorization of payment disbursement from a direct supervisor.
Where payment is based on days worked and not on milestone outputs, the submission of time sheet and expenses with relevant documentation may be required by UNCDF.
UNCDF shall closely monitor the performance of the Individual Contractors, and such monitoring shall include the detailed tracking of cumulative payments ensuring that they do not exceed the approved limit of the LTA.
If the consultants fail to meet performance requirements detailed above, s/he will receive in first instance, a communication requesting an improvement in performance. Continued failure to meet performance requirements may result in termination of the call-off PO, the non-utilization of the LTA, until its expiration, and eventually non-extension of the LTA.
Competencies
Professional
- Takes on innovation and new approaches and fosters innovation in others;
- Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking.
Client Orientation
- Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives;
- Ability to interact and adapt communication with various levels of management;
- Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for partners and persuades management to undertake new approaches in line with project objectives;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities and resolve problems;
- Focuses on impact and results for clients and stakeholders;
- Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and responds positively to feedback;
Desired Attributes
- Understanding and/or background in digital financial services;
- Strong ability to communicate and function effectively in local/international/multicultural environment;
- Excellent networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships;
- Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
- Project management skills;
- Excellent PowerPoint and excel skills;
- High level planning, organizational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines;
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise effectively at senior levels, including central banks;
- Analytical and problem-solving skills of a high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and advice;
- Pro-active, constructive attitude, open to feedback.
Required Skills and Experience
The consultant must provide evidence of having the technical capacity to undertake this assignment. This includes capacity to deliver the results in the timeframe provided as well as indication of prior experience (experience managing and supporting the implementation of digital financial services and providing technical assistance to FSPs).
Education
- A Master’s degree in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, or related discipline or the equivalent experience
Experience
- At least 8 years of experience in progressively more responsible positions in the financial services and/or telecommunications field;
- At least 3 years of experience working with branchless banking and mobile financial services;
- At least 2 years of experience designing and conducting participatory training of FSP and/or MNO agents and staff;
- Experience working with the implementation of branchless banking and mobile financial services projects;
- At least 2 year of experience providing technical assistance in marketing, product development, piloting and roll-out, agent management;
- Experience in project management;
- Ideal candidates would have experience working in refugee contexts and/or low-income rural populations
- Ideal candidates should have previous experience working in Rwanda.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English;
- Fluency in Kinyarwanda is desirable.
Application Process
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 file).
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 and approach for consultancy
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or P11, with at least three (3) professional references’ contact details (e-mail, telephone number); Link to P11: http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc
- Financial proposal for the full assignment outlining: Total professional fee (including professional fees. Other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc. Please use the form available at: Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
Failure to submit all the below mentioned documents may result in rejection of the application.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be rated on both technical and financial submissions. The following selection method will be used: Highest rated proposal using the combined scoring method, which assigns the weight distribution between the technical and financial proposals. The overall combined score will be 100 points, where weight distribution shall be 70% technical (40% desk review + 30% interview) and 30% financial.
Step I: Screening
Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:
- A Master’s degree in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, or related discipline or the equivalent experience;
- At least 8 years of experience in progressively more responsible positions in the financial services and/or telecommunications field;
- At least 3 years of experience working with branchless banking and mobile financial services;
- At least 2 years of experience providing technical assistance and training to FSPs and/or MNOs.
Step II: Shortlisting criteria by Desk Review - 40% (100 points):
UNCDF will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate the candidates as follows:
Criteria | Maximum Points Attainable |
Experience in providing technical assistance to FSPs in marketing, product development (research, pilot & roll-out), agent management (2+years). | 30 |
Experience in working with branchless banking and mobile financial services; working with digital financial services (FSP or telcos) (3+ years) | 30 |
Extensive experience in the design and the provision of participatory training (ideally, financial institution staff) (+2 years). | 20 |
Previous experience in Rwanda (Fluency in Kinyarwandan is a plus). | 10 |
Ideal candidates would have experience working in refugee contexts and/or low-income rural populations | 10 |
Total | 100 |
Only the top three candidates that obtained a minimum of 70 points shall be invited for an interview.
Step III. Interview – 30% (100 pts) :
A competency-based interview shall be conducted with the top three shortlisted candidates, who will be interviewed on the following topics:
- Relevant experience
- Sector Knowledge
- Communication Skills
Step IV: Financial Evaluation – 30% :
The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:
Lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%.
Award of Framework Agreement
The award of the LTA will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined:
(i) Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
(ii) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
UNCDF reserves the right to increase or decrease this number depending on the quality of the applications that will be received.
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.
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.
If you are experiencing difficulties with online job applications, please contact jobs.help@undp.org.