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. For further detail on UNCDF strategy, refer to; https://www.uncdf.org/article/4931/global-strategy-leaving-no-one-behind-in-the-digital-era

UNCDF would like to hire a consultant to support UNCDF on 4 main aspects:

• Conduct the digital finance ecosystem assessment using UNCDF’s Inclusive Digital Economies Score (IDES) and engage with public and private sector partners to start addressing key market constraints identified through IDEs and set priorities to build an inclusive digital economy in Nepal
• Refine and strengthen UNCDF strategy on “Leaving no one behind in the digital era” for Nepal
• Provide technical support to the ongoing UNCDF digital-related activities in country
• Build strong partnerships to mobilize resources and implement the digital strategy

Under the supervision of the UNCDF Regional Digital Hub Manager for Asia and in close collaboration with the UNCDF Global Digital Lead (based in Kuala Lumpur), the Consultant will complete the following activities and deliverables.

Activities and Deliverables:

(1) Conduct the digital finance ecosystem assessment using UNCDF’s Inclusive Digital Economies Score (IDES) and engage with public and private sector partners to start addressing key market constraints identified through IDEs and set priorities to build an inclusive digital economy in Nepal.

• Pilot IDES with the government of Nepal to set priorities and track progress of their digital transformation
• Develop long-term relationship with key stakeholders of Nepal’s digital ecosystem:
  • Private sector (e.g.):
    • Entrepreneurs and start-ups
    • Accelerators and incubators
    • Larger companies, such as telecommunication companies
  • Public sector (e.g.):
    • Nepal Rastra Bank
    • Key Ministries involved in the promotion and development of a digital economy
    • National Bureau of Statistics
  • Development partners
  • Academia
• Analyse the current digital ecosystem to identify market failures and strengths that can create large-scale lasting benefits for UNCDF’s target groups
• Engage with private and public sector key stakeholders and identify ways to address those market failures

(2)  Refine and strengthen UNCDF strategy on “Leaving no one behind in the digital era” for Nepal

• Based on IDES, update the Nepal national strategy “Leaving no one behind in the digital era” including a wide spectrum on the digital ecosystem
• Update and align the strategy to the broad priorities of the Government of Nepal on topics related to the digital ecosystem
• Adapt to the strategy with an agile, flexible and original approach that takes into account the unpredictable situation of the current COVID-19 health crisis.

Provide technical support to the ongoing UNCDF digital-related activities in country including:

• Technical support and capacity building for the regulator
• Dairy process and digitalization project
• 2 new youth related digital projects

(3) Build strong partnerships to mobilize resources and implement the digital strategy:

• Participate in donor mapping exercise conducted by UNCDF in Nepal
• Draft and /or review annual donor mapping & fundraising strategies and activities.
• Contribute to the development of a strong resources mobilisation strategy for Nepal
• Present the digital strategy to government, potential donors and other partners and identify resource mobilisation opportunities in Nepal to support the implantation of the digital strategy
• Draft concept notes and proposals with input from relevant staff

Duration: The assignment duration is for a maximum of 220 working days over 12 months.

Duty Station and likely places of travel: The consultant is expected to be based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The assignment may require travel to project districts outside Kathmandu where UNCDF's ongoing projects are on implementation. If the circumstances allow it, the consultant might be requested to travel to Bangkok UNCDF Regional office, or other destinations. All this travel will be requested by UNCDF management on a need basis and will be compensated on a reimbursable basis and following the UNDP/UNCDF rules and regulations that state 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 in amounts not exceeding the UN established rate.

UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visas for consultants. Consultants are responsible for securing their work documentation with limited support from UNCDF.

Final Deliverables and Tentative Schedule of Payments

The schedule of travel will be negotiated with the consultant according to the requirements of the programme.

Travel and Daily Subsistence Allowance:

No DSA is payable at the duty station in Kathmandu. The individual contractor shall receive a Living Allowance not to exceed the United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate while conducting field visits outside of Kathmandu whenever required. Travel requirement would be determined from time to time based on the need of the projects and agreed between UNCDF and the consultant.

Final Deliverables and Tentative Schedule of Payments

• Excellent analytical skills;
• Excellent written communication skills;
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
• Focus on impact and results for clients and stakeholders;
• Committed to teamwork, working with other stakeholders;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. 

Education:

A Master’s degree in economics, administration, social sciences, or related discipline.  Two years additional related work experience in lieu of Master’s Degree may be considered.

Experience: 

• Minimum 8 years demonstrated experience in developing and implementing projects/programs around Digital services is mandatory.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with private and public sector stakeholders in financial inclusion, digital finance or digital in general
• Prior demonstrated experience developing proposals for institutional donors
• Minimum 3 years of experience in South Asia with a preference for Nepal is preferred
• Working experience in entrepreneurial environment, such as startups, social enterprises, new ventures, or previous Market system development experience is preferred
• Experience working with international organizations will be a valuable asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is mandatory
• Other regional languages, such as Nepali, are an asset but not mandatory.

Timeline, total number of working days, duty station:

• Timeline: 12 months.
• Total Number of Working Days for Assignment: up to 220 working days.

Standard travel costs and living expenses:

Kindly note that living expenses may not exceed Daily Sustainable Allowance rates referred to in the https://icsc.un.org/ map.

Progress Controls & Payments:

Payments shall be made following certification by the Regional Digital Hub Manager for Asia that the services related to each deliverable have been satisfactorily performed and the deliverables have been achieved by or before the due dates specified in the call-off.

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, motivation rationalizing how the applicant meets the qualifications and can deliver the requirements of the Terms of Reference (TOR) and indicating earliest availability and propose schedule for the consultancy;
• Links to publications or a 2 pager writing sample
• Complete 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.). Template for this is available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916).

Incomplete applications mayl not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. 

Evaluation: 

Step I: Screening

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

Education:

A Master’s degree in economics, administration, social sciences, or related discipline.  Two years additional related work experience in lieu of Master’s Degree may be considered.

Experience: 

Minimum 8 years demonstrated experience in developing and implementing projects/ programs around Digital services is mandatory

Step II: Shortlisting by Desk Review: (30%)

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

Step III: Interview (40%): 

A competency-based interview shall be conducted to shortlisted candidates.

Step IV: Financial Evaluation  (30%):

The shortlisted candidates will be rated on both technical and financial submissions, providing a weight of 70% to the Technical offer (Desk Review (30%) + Interview (40%)) and 30% to the Financial offer.

Award Criteria

The contact shall be awarded to the applicant 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. 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.

/ma