Background

1) GENERAL BACKGROUND

About UNCDF 

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.

About Inclusive Digital Economies (IDE) Strategy, The UNCDF strategy ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ is based on over a decade of experience in digital ?nance and economies in Africa, Asia and the Paci?c. UNCDF recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital ?nancial inclusion in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 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 SDGs. UNCDF will apply a market development approach and continuously seek to address underlying market dysfunctions.

See more information on the Inclusive Digital Economies Strategy.

Information on the Contract Modality: 

UNCDF would like to enter into a non-exclusive Framework Agreement, also known as Long-Term Agreement (LTA), with a roster of consultants that will perform the services described in this TOR 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. An LTA can be valid for a minimum period of 12 months, with potential extension for up to two (2) additional years, depending on satisfactory performance of the individual / company. 

Where a request for service arises, UNCDF can engage the individual holding an 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 of time. For this particular 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 issued. 

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. It is important to note that, under an LTA, UNCDF does not guarantee that any specific quantity of services shall be made during the term of this agreement. The LTA does not form a financial obligation nor commitment from UNCDF at the time the LTA contract is signed. 

Duties and Responsibilities

2) OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

UNCDF IDE is looking to enter into a Framework Agreement, also known as Long-Term Agreement (LTA), with up to four (4) Impact Assessment and Analytics Consultant(s),  who will be primarily responsible for measuring , coordinating and evaluating impact data and information on supply, demand and regulation in financial and other markets to strengthen the evidence-base to help inform and support inclusive innovation (for financial service providers), policy making (regulators), digital infrastructure and market ecosystem insights, and empowered customers. S/he will report directly to the Data Management Specialist (Analytics & Research) based in the UNCDF Regional Asia office in Bangkok and to the respective Country and Regional offices that the consultant directly supports.  

The Impact Assessment Consultant(s) will measure, analyze, and communicate impact data and information on supply, demand, policy and innovation case studies with focus on IDE countries and regions. S/he will keep data outputs simple, digestible and ensure impact and other data supports inclusive innovation, policy, open digital ecosystem, and customer empowerment – the strategy workstreams - especially when combined with other instruments of stakeholder engagement, technical support, customer centricity. 

The Impact Assessment and Analytics Consultant(s) will work primarily under the UNCDF Data and Research team located in Regional Offices in Thailand, Uganda and Senegal to strengthen the availability and use of supply side (e.g.  transaction data ) and demand side (e.g. national financial inclusion surveys, lean data) analytics by conducting regional, country and sector research on specific themes such as financial inclusion and inclusive growth for women and youth, MSMEs finance and platforms, migration and remittances, clean energy finance to help drive innovation and policy. 

The Impact Assessment and Analytics Consultant(s) will also support the on-line and onsite delivery of training and capacity building activities related to the use of data, research and M&E, and human centric design. The consultant(s) will provide the analysis, synthesis and communication of data and research on supply, demand and regulation- sides to strengthen the decisions of financial service providers, regulators, and policy makers. 

Specific areas of work include:    

• Theme 1: Conduct deep-dive thematic impact research using demand and supply side data on digital finance and economies for last mile customer segments MSMEs, women, youth, migrants, and specific sustainable development goals SDG1 poverty reduction, SDGs 5 Gender equality, SDG 8 inclusive economic growth and decent work and SDG 7 energy access (20%). 
• Theme 2: Support in impact assessment, data  analytics and research approaches implementing new data techniques suitable to the digital era (e.g. big data, transaction data analytics, lean data collection, test and learn, human centric design, customer journey mapping, impact monitoring and management approaches) (20%). 
• Theme 3: Conduct on-line and on-site trainings and technical support to Financial, Remittance and Energy Service Providers in product development and data analytics and usage (20%) 
• Theme 4: Conduct trainings and technical support to Regulators (e.g. Central Banks) in financial inclusion strategy monitoring and policy making. (20%)
• Theme 5: Knowledge Management and Learning (20%) 

3) SCOPE OF WORK

Theme 1: Conduct deep-dive thematic research on digital financial inclusion and economies with specific reference to last mile target segments of women, youth, migrant and remittances, MSMEs, energy finance or agriculture using demand side and supply side data.

• Implement and conduct quantitative and qualitative research support including survey and sampling design, mixed method approaches, survey and data analytics.  
• Analyze, consolidate and communicate data and insights pieces and publications on financial and economy market supply and demand side surveys (Findex, Finscope, National surveys, lean data) with focus on gender, age, MSMEs, and other demographic and geographic disaggregated data analytics. 
• Analyze women- , youth- , MSME-, migrant- and other disaggregated to inform and shape policies, inclusive innovation, digital ecosystem market studies, customer empowerment. 

Theme 2: Support in implementation of impact assessment, data analytics and research. Implement new data techniques suitable to the digital era.

• Coordinate and implement quantitative and qualitative impact measurement and research of digital finance and economy interventions on SDG outcomes such as poverty, empowerment, women’s empowerment, energy access etc. 
• Conduct supply side analysis using anonymized customer and transaction level (big) data of digital financial service providers to track financial service usage and impacts by conducting sex- youth and other demographic disaggregated data analysis; 
• Support and coordinate innovative (lean data) surveys for SDG impact measurement and monitoring.
• Support in the development of financial inclusion and SDG impact related interactive dashboards
• Support and implement innovative research methodologies around SDG outcome measurement suitable for digital finance sector such as big data, transaction data analytics, test and learn, human centric design, customer journeys, lean data, qualitative impact protocols.

Theme 3: Conduct trainings and technical support to Financial Service Providers and Energy Service Providers in product development and data analytics and usage. Track customer journeys over time and improve human centric design through data. 

• Conduct data mapping and product development diagnostics and assessments with financial institutions, FinTechs and other providers. 
• Conduct Big data product development and ideation trainings and technical support in human-centric product design to FSPs with regard to data treatment and usage and product development. 
• Support product development processes through usage of data insights. 

Theme 4: Conduct trainings and technical support to Regulators (e.g. Central Banks) in financial inclusion strategy monitoring and policy making. 

• Conduct diagnostic and data mapping exercises based with regulators mapping out the existing and available data sources. 
• Conduct trainings with regulators on the use of data for the national financial inclusion strategy and citizen -centric policy design and monitoring. 
• Offer technical support to regulators on implementation of financial inclusion policy and strategy design and monitoring and evaluation.  

Theme 5: Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Support in content development for knowledge products including working papers, dashboard, blogs, website materials, presentations etc. Review and edit, working papers, research and communications materials;
• Support in the development of training modules for the data hub facility. The Hub aims to capacitate regulators and financial service providers in their data analysis and human centric product and policy design. 
• Identify areas where data-collaboratives can enhance (digital) financial inclusion, both within the UN system as well with our external private sector partners. If needed, engage with University and other research institutions to establish partnerships and promote UNCDF’s work. 
• Use insights to support overall program development and inform the UNCDF digital strategy. 

4) DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Contract duration: The Framework Agreement shall be signed for 12 months, with possibility of extension for up to 2 more years based on consultant(s)’ satisfactory performance and project needs. 

Number of consultants: Up to 4 Impact Assessment and Analytics consultants under LTA. 

Number of working days: Up to 200 working days per person per year

Duty station: Home-based, with travels to countries where UNCDF operates 

The schedule of travel will be negotiated with the consultant(s) according to the requirements of each programme.

Travel: Travel costs associated to the assignment will be advanced by the consultants, and paid on a 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.

5) FINAL PRODUCTS

The consultant(s) will deliver the following final products:

Indicated Deliverables Output 1:

• Conducted Thematic Deep Dive research on, for example (digital) financial inclusion and gender equality, youth empowerment, clean energy, agricultural development, remittance and migration. 
• Developed focus notes presentations, blogs, infographics, policy notes and (co-authored) publications with particular reference to (digital) financial inclusion and sustainable development goals related topics such as inclusive economic growth and decent work, youth empowerment, gender equality, MSME development, clean energy, migration and development, education and health.  

Indicated Deliverables Output 2: 

• Developed Surveys and insights reports
• Designed Surveys for SDG monitoring through lean data (mobile phone surveys) on for example poverty, women economic empowerment, inclusive growth and enterprise growth.  
• Curated, mined and analyzed supply side and demand side data so it is easily accessible and generates insights for UNCDF team and programs.
• Produced Interactive Dashboards accessible for programs (in Tableau or PowerBI)

Indicated Deliverables Output 3:

• Data mapping diagnostic completed 
• Offered trainings on product development and data analysis and usage to staff and management of financial service providers and energy service suppliers.
• Offered Technical support in human-centric product design to FSPs with regard to data treatment and usage,  product development and refinements. 

Indicated Deliverables Output 4:

• Data mapping diagnostic completed 
• Offered trainings and technical support on financial inclusion policy and data analysis and usage to staff and management of regulators (e.g. Central Banks).
• Supported development of monitoring and evaluation tools and indicators for to help shape and refine policies.  

Indicated Deliverables Output 5: 

• Submitted research content for presentations, data dashboards, maps, blogs, data for info-graphics. 
• Disseminated outcomes and knowledge at forums, webinars, and workshops. 
• Identified potential data collaboratives and generated insights to support programme direction. 

Areas of Support and Standard Operating Procedures 

UNCDF reserves the right to assign the TOR deliverables and to distribute the assignment to up to 4 consultants, as UNCDF may deem appropriate to their qualifications.  The consultants will be part of a broader data and research  team and will have somewhat similar activities as outlined in more detailed scope of work above.   

A Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) - on how each of the consultants will be called upon and for what type of work- shall be developed for this purpose.  The SOPs shall take into consideration the following :

UNCDF is broadly looking for:

• One consultant to support the East and Southern Africa region (e.g. Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Zambia)
• One consultant to support West and Central Africa (e.g. Senegal, Congo Dem. Rep, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone)
• One consultant to support Asia (e.g. Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal).  
• One consultant to support thematic works on remittances and/or clean energy without specific focus region

Beyond common data analytic activities within the team, UNCDF is looking for consultants who may address specific themes.  For this purpose, applicants are encouraged to highlight their specific expertise that corresponds to the thematic fields around financial inclusion and inclusive growth related to 

• digital finance and women and youth
• enterprise finance 
• remittance and migration
• digital energy financing. 

All consultants are required to speak English, at least one consultant who will work for West and Central Africa projects would be required to speak French.   

6) PROVISION OF MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROLS

The consultant(s) will work under the direct supervision of Data Management Specialist (Analytics & Research) based in Bangkok and in close collaboration with other relevant colleagues, experts and/or institutions designated by the SRTA.

The consultant(s) will have weekly communication with the Regional Office in Bangkok via email and skype, for coordination and guidance purposes, ensuring consultants’ output quality and targets.

The Consultant(s) is responsible for providing his/her own laptop during the course of his/her engagement with UNCDF.

This contract is under a framework agreement that will work on a call-off mechanism. The consultant will be ‘called’ upon to deliver a specific set of deliverables under a TOR and a purchasing order, indicating the total number of days required to complete the services. The contractor shall submit the invoices specifying the outputs delivered and the Certificate of Payment form for the approval of UNCDF. 

The following supporting documents will serve as conditions for payments to an Individual Contractor(s): (i) submission of an invoice and Certificate of Payment (COP); and (ii) review, approval and written acceptance of each deliverable by the Data Management Specialist (Analytics & Research) and any other Project/Programme Manager designated by Data Management Specialist. 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. Final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.

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

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNCDF;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge about the UNCDF programmes would be an advantage;
• Strong analytical and writing skills and track record in producing relevant reports and other material.

Required Skills and Experience

7) DEGREE OF EXPERTISE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master’s or PhD in Development Studies, Economics, Econometrics, Data Science, Business Administration, or similar studies;

Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) year of relevant professional experience in (digital) financial inclusion, Impact Assessment and Analytics of business case and/or social impact case, banking and investment or development finance technical support and capacity building; 
• Proven experience of a minimum of 2 years in undertaking statistical and/or other mixed method research.
• Proven exceptional quantitative and qualitative research and analysis skills;
• Proven experience of being able to curate and mine large and diverse quantitative datasets.  
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively both verbally and in writing -in English. 
• Advanced knowledge and experience of statistical and quantitative data analytic software such as R-studio, STATA, Tableau, Power-BI and Python, ability to handle large datasets.
• Hands on experience with qualitative analysis software (e.g. NVIVO) is considered advantageous.  
• Analytical skills: ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze, interpret and integrate data information from various data sets into clear conclusions and recommendations. 
• Strong presentation and training skills. 
• Ability to balance multiple research projects with mixed short and long-term deadlines. 

Language:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French would be an advantage.

Desired attributes:

• Strong interest in and affiliation with impact data analysis and usage, Big Data and other innovative data and research approaches
• Strong interest and affiliation in action-oriented research, capacity building, innovation, learning and change management. 
• Innovative mindset, capacity to learn and explore new research and knowledge dissemination methods. 
• Applicants are encouraged to highlight thematic expertise in data analytics with regard to financial inclusion and  women’s and youth economic empowerment and/or entrepreneurship, remittance and migration and development, digital energy finance. 
• Applicants are encouraged to highlight any specific in-country experience, particularly in West Africa, South and South East Asia and specifically in Myanmar.   

8) APPLICATION PROCESS:

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. (NOTE: THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW MULTIPLE UPLOADS OF DOCUMENTS THEREFORE APPLICANTS MUST MAKE SURE TO UPLOAD ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IN ONE FILE). 

Failure to submit all the below mentioned documents will result in rejection of the application.

• A one-page cover letter responding to the competency criteria, indicating why the candidate considers himself/herself suitable for the required consultancy as well as stating the earliest availability. 
• Detailed updated CV or P11,  with at least three references’ contact details (telephone number, e-mail address); Link to P11: http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc
• Filled in and duly signed Letter of Intent including a financial proposal which can be downloaded from the 

• At least one (1) sample or detailed summary of works with relevant links – that you consider to be the best and most relevant example to this ToR.

When applying for this consultancy position, please apply with your official name as shown in the government issued identification document (e.g. passport and/or driver license). Contract award is subject to this verification; 

9) 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 (30% desk review + 40% 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:

• Master’s or PhD in Development, Economics, Econometrics, Data Science, Business Administration, or similar studies;
• Minimum of one (1) year of relevant professional experience in (digital) financial inclusion, Impact Assessment and Analytics of business case and/or social impact case, banking and investment or development finance technical support and capacity building
• Proven experience of a minimum of two (2) years in undertaking statistical and other quantitative research.
• Submission of at least one (1) sample or detailed summary of works with relevant links 

Step II: Shortlisting by Desk Review: (100 Points x 30%)

UNCDF will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate candidates as follows:

·       Proven relevant professional experience in (digital) financial inclusion, banking and investment or development finance technical support and capacity building; - 30 points

·       Proven experience in undertaking statistical and/or other mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) research. - 20 points

·       Proven skills and experience on Impact Assessment of business case and/or social impact case - 10 points

·       Proven experience of being able to curate and mine large and diverse quantitative datasets.  - 10 points

·       Advanced knowledge and experience of statistical and quantitative data analytic software such as R-studio, STATA, Tableau, Power-BI and Python, ability to handle large datasets. Hands on experience with qualitative analysis software (e.g. NVIVO) is considered advantageous.  - 10 points

·       Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively both verbally and in writing -in English. - 20 points

As applicable, up to 8 applicants scoring the highest in the desk review and achieving minimum 70 points shall be invited for an interview.

Step III. Interview (100 points x 40%):

A competency-based Interview shall be conducted with the top 8 shortlisted candidates who will be tested on the following:

• Relevant experience
• Sector Knowledge  
• Communication Skills
• Demonstrated ability to use data to drive financial inclusion practice and policies 

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Steps II Desk Review +III 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%.

The top candidates that achieved the highest cumulative score will be recommended for award of LTA, upon approval of the appropriate Procurement Review Committee. UNCDF reserves the right to increase or decrease this number depending on the quality of the applications that will be received. 

AWARD OF LONG-TERM AGREEMENT (LTA):

The award of the LTA will be made to up to 4 individual consultants whose offers have 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.

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.  If the consultant is over 65 years old, UNCDF reserves the right to require full medical certification and clearance from the consultant’s physician prior to commencing the travel.

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). If the company or institution that employs them will charge a management fee, the said amount must be incorporated in the financial proposal that the individual will submit. No further changes to reflect additional costs shall be accommodated by UNCDF at the point of awarding the LTA. 

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. 

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

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

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