Background
UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance 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 provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help microfinance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments – water systems, feeder roads, schools, irrigation schemes – that will improve poor peoples’ lives.
Recently, UNCDF has formulated its strategy ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. UNCDF recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion in support of the Sustainable Development Goals aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies that leave no one behind. The vision of UNCDF is to empower millions of people by 2024 to use services daily that leverage innovation and technology and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Please refer to the link for further information: https://www.uncdf.org/article/4931/global-strategy-leaving-no-one-behind-in-the-digital-era
UNCDF in Uganda
UNCDF has been present in Uganda since 1982, supporting the Government to create a functional planning and financial system for sustainable and inclusive local development. Today, together with the larger UN Country Team, UNCDF in Uganda supports the Government to effectively implement the Second National Development Plan and realize its vision of becoming a middle-income country by 2020 and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
UNCDF uses its financial tools and technical expertise in public financial management, SME development, and financial services development to incentivize actors across different economic value chains to think differently, break from their silos, and incubate new ways of serving the “last-mile”. Together we look for, and invest in, high-impact opportunities that can boost productivity, economies of scale, and above all, development impact, especially for women and youth.
UNCDF has recently launched a new initiative with the support of the Sweden Development Agency (SIDA) i.e. the “Connect” Rural Uganda programme. The Programme aims at empowering rural community members in Uganda to lead productive and healthy lives, by expanding access and usage of digital services.
The main expected outcomes of this new initiative are:
Rural community members in Uganda (smallholder farmers, agri-businesses & refugees) have the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to access and use digital services.? They have better access to training and education through digital channels.
New business models and technologies for delivering services are scaled for rural communities in the finance, agriculture, energy, education and health sectors.
Rural community members have improved access to and increasingly use digital payment accounts.
The Government of Uganda implements policies that enable access and usage of digital services.
UNCDF applies a market development approach. This approach aims to understand and intervene in selected market systems to address underlying market dysfunctions that lead to improved efficiencies, effectiveness and sustainability. The approach leverages and supports current players in the market and strengthens the systems and relationships among the various market and sector actors, while recognizing the dynamic and complex nature of?markets.
As part of the inception phase UNCDF is in the process of conducting a market systems analysis, developing the results measurement framework in line with the market development approach, and collecting the baseline data.
UNCDF is looking for a Results Measurement Consultant (RM Consultant) based in Kampala, Uganda who will implement the results measurement framework, actively monitor and assess the programme’s progress, and provide valuable insights that will increase programme effectiveness and impact.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Country Technical Specialist and the Research and Results Measurement Analyst (RRM Analyst), the RM Consultant will be responsible for:
Implementation of the Uganda results measurement framework and learning strategy
Project monitoring, reporting, and evaluation in Uganda
Design and implement research and conduct data analysis to identify programme priorities, inform market engagements and capture programme results and impact
The table below shows the detailed activities, deliverables, indicative timeline and estimated efforts: ?
Activities? | Deliverables | % | Estimated effort (days) | Calendar |
Country-level monitoring |
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Review Uganda data collection plan and learning strategy that was developed during the inception phase and develop system that aggregates programme results | Finalized data collection plan for the programme | 3% | 10 | Month 1-3 |
Develop the country data collection plan and learning strategy for 2021 | Data collection plan 2021 | 3% | 10 | Month 11 |
Update data system that tracks aggregated programme results and conduct data analysis to extract relevant findings for strategic decision-making on programme level | Updated programme data repository/dashboard (semi annual) | 5% | 18 | Month 6-24 |
Annual review of programme results and impact, including the design and implementation of customer surveys and stakeholder interviews | Research methodology and tools | 10% | 38 | Month 12 and 24 |
Project-level monitoring |
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Design project-specific monitoring tools including results chain, monitoring plan, project KPIs, attribution strategy, a project data collection plan and partner reporting templates, including working with third-party firms to design and manage a dashboard that tracks key programme KPIs, including working with third-party firms to design and manage a dashboard that tracks key programme KPI | Monitoring tools for 10 projects | 18% | 70 | Month 3-24 |
Ensure quarterly reporting of UNCDF partner institutions on KPIs and project logs, and conduct data analysis to extract relevant findings for strategic decision-making on project level | Updated project workbook for all active projects | 18% | 70 | Month 6-24 |
Implement project evaluations (mid and end line) | Evaluation methodology and tools | 13% | 50 | Month 12-24 |
Coach other team members and partners on RM procedures, templates and tools | Training material | 4% | 15 | Month 6-24 |
Research, data and reporting |
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Ensure project compliance with the Market Systems Development approach, in close collaboration of the Technical Specialists | MSD due diligence of 10 projects | 3% | 10 | Month 3-6 and |
Conduct research on the state of the inclusive digital economy using primary and secondary data sources | Raw and cleaned datasets and interview transcripts | 11% | 44 | Month 3-6 and |
Design and implement research to identify programme priorities and inform market engagements, using primary and secondary sources. This includes population-segment (e.g. women, youth, refugees) and thematic-specific research (e.g. agriculture, health, education) | Research methodology and tools | 6% | 25 | Month 6-24 |
Identify secondary datasets and research relevant to the implementation of the programme, and develop and update the country evidence base | Updated country evidence base | 3% | 10 | Month 1-24 |
Oversee a mock audit of compliance with the DCED Standard for Results Measurement | Specifications for auditors | 3% | 10 | Month 18-21 |
Contribute to donor reporting and communication material to share programme results and learnings | Contributions to 10 UNCDF publications | 4% | 15 | Month 6-24 |
Total |
| 100% | 395 |
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Competencies
- Good knowledge of monitoring and results measurement methodologies and tools;
- Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and tools;
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills;
- Excellent communication and writing skills;
- Able to work effectively in a team and in an international environment;
- Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate and engage with project stakeholders.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- A Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, technology or related discipline is mandatory.
Experience:
- At least 4 years of experience in designing and implementing results measurement systems in the development context is mandatory;
- At least 2 years of experience in extracting relevant findings from data to inform strategic decision-making in the public or private sector is mandatory;
- Experience in implementing customer surveys using quantitative and/or qualitative methods is mandatory;
- Experience in working with the DCED Standard for Results Measurement is preferable but not mandatory;
- Experience in monitoring projects with a market systems development approach is preferable but not mandatory;
- Experience in innovation and technology for inclusive finance is preferable but not mandatory;
- Experience in providing training on results measurement systems is preferable but not mandatory.
Language:
- Written and spoken fluency in English is mandatory.
Timeline, duration of assignment, duty station and expected places of travel:
Timeline: January 2020 - December 2021
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Total Number of Working Days for Assignment: Max of 395 working days within 24 months
Progress Controls & Payments:
Payment will be made against satisfactorily completion of each deliverable. All payments shall be disbursed only upon written confirmation of acceptance of the outputs and authorization for payment by the Research and Results Measurement Analyst. Disbursement of the final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.
The payment schedule will be as follows:
Month | Deliverables | Payment % |
Month 1 | Workplan approved | 10% |
Month 4 | Progress report 1 approved | 15% |
Month 8 | Progress report 2 approved | 15% |
Month 12 | Progress report 3 approved | 15% |
Month 16 | Progress report 4 approved | 15% |
Month 20 | Progress report 5 approved | 15% |
Month 24 | Final progress report approved | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
Application process:
Interested individuals must submit the documents mentioned below as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications (Note: the system does not allow multiple uploads of documents. 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 Terms of Reference (TOR);
Earliest availability and proposed schedule for consultancy;
CV or 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 assignment outlining: All-inclusive fee (including professional fees and other professional expenses, such as insurance, taxes, etc.). All unit prices indicated in the financial proposal shall remain the same for the duration of the IC, including amendments thereto.
Evaluation:
Step I: Screening: Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the mandatory criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting.
Step II: Shortlisting (20 points)
UNCDF will produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate candidates from 1 to 100% as per experience requirements in the Terms of Reference. As applicable, only applicants scoring 80% or more shall be considered for an interview.
Shortlisting scoring:
20%- Education/Qualification;
50%- Mandatory Experience.
30%- Preferred Experience.
Step III: Technical test (50 points). Applicants from the shortlist will be requested to take a written test. The test will be scored from 1 to 100 points. The passing score being 70 points.
Step IV: Interview (30 points): An interview shall be conducted to candidates having passed the test.
Step V: Financial Evaluation: Only candidates with scores above 70% of the technical evaluation (70 Points or above) will be considered.
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 3 best applicants whose offer have been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and having received the highest combined weight (technical scores) 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.