Background

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.

Since 2008, UNCDF has been supporting digital finance with significant success which has led UNCDF to make digital finance the largest part of its inclusive finance portfolio. UNCDF is also to host the Secretariat of the Better than Cash Alliance (BTCA), a partnership of governments, companies, and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth. UNCDF also serves as the secretariat for the UN Secretary- General’s Task Force on Digital Financing of the SDGs, which will consider the next wave of digitalization of finance and how the systemic changes to the financial ecosystem due to digital technologies will impact financing for the SDGs. For several years UNCDF’s work in digital finance has led it to support new digital solutions linked to finance, to further drive financial inclusion and to achieve the SDGs. This includes projects linked to on an off-grid energy, agriculture, employment, health and transport.

Based on over a decade of experience applying a market development approach in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, UNCDF started in 2017 to expand the scope of its programmatic agenda to go beyond digital finance. Through the “Leaving no-one behind in the digital era” strategy, UNCDF shifts from focusing only on digital finance to the development of inclusive digital economies. The strategy recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion in support of the SDGs aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies.

The UNCDF digital agenda for migration and remittances falls within the organization’s broader global strategy, set forth in 2019, of “Leaving No One Behind in the Digital Era.” This vision is to empower millions of people by 2024 to use services daily that leverage innovation and technology and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Through a market development approach, UNCDF continuously seeks to address underlying market dysfunctions. The Programme contributes to, and benefits from, this overarching corporate mandate. The Programme is administered by UNCDF with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, or SDC, and Sida, the Swedish International Development Agency.

The UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015. The 2030 Agenda recognizes migration as a core-development consideration, marking the first time that migration is explicitly integrated into the global development agenda. It also recognizes a major relevance of international migration as a multidimensional reality of and for the development of countries of origin, as well as transit and destination, which requires coherent and comprehensive responses.

Migrants, the estimated four percent of the global population who live and work outside their home countries, are among those most at risk of being left behind. They may fall outside of, or lack practical access to, the legal and social safety-net protections in both their host countries and home countries, and those without formal identification documentation face heightened financial vulnerability. Their economic activity is vitally important, however, and the remittances they send home could be a major driver of sustainable development.  

Remittances, on the other hand, can also contribute to reaching the SDGs in a variety of ways:1) Household level: by recognizing the positive socioeconomic impact of remittances on families and communities; 2) Community level: Benefits associated at sub-national or municipal levels including reduced rural poverty, lower income inequality, increased micro small and medium enterprises (MSME) activity, and strengthen resilience to adverse effects of climate change or disaster risks; 3) Government level: Benefits for public sector institutions including greater transparency, better communication with citizens, and increased private sector development and entrepreneurship as a result of access to capital and domestic credit; 4) Macro level: At macro-economic level, remittances can foster much needed foreign currency exchange, stabilize BOP, reduce dependency on government aid, and re- allocate capital resources into more productive investments and other financial services – moving money from international to domestic, consumption to investment, and from urban to rural.

UNCDF’s Migration and Remittances for Development Programme, or the Programme, aims at contributing to sustainable development by making remittances more accessible and affordable, while helping build resilience for migrants and their families. For both sending and receiving countries, the Programme seeks to increase the share of migrant remittances flowing through formal channels, thereby giving policymakers at both ends greater visibility into the true picture of inbound and outbound financial flows. For remittances service providers, the Programme seeks to build the capacity to understand the financial needs and preferences of migrants and their families, and to design and deliver responsive products accordingly. For migrants themselves, the Programme aims not only to lower the costs and increase the safety and convenience of sending money, but also to link remittances to a broader suite of financial services—including insurance, savings, pensions, investments, and credit—that can help them reach their goals. The Programme recognizes digitization as the key to achieving these objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Migration and Remittance team is looking for a digital communication expert to creatively lead our digital engagement efforts at the global, regional, and national levels. This includes, crucially, our member countries and regions in Africa and Asia. The position requires an excellent command of French and English.

Under the supervision of the Lead Specialist of the Migration and Remittance portfolio, the consultant will work very closely with the Communication Lead of the Migration and Remittance portfolio, and collaboratively with the global team. A core function of the role is designing and implementing innovative and well-targeted digital communications and engagement strategies, on social media and beyond, seeking new opportunities for effective engagement and disseminating cogent content.  

The Consultant is also expected to provide support to broader communications and advocacy strategy plans.

Expected Output, Activities and Deliverables

Output 1. Lead the design of a Digital Communications Strategy, by working closely with key colleagues at national, regional and global level. The strategy should:

• Serve the strategic goals of the programme by identifying tactics, tools and platforms to effectively disseminate content to support our implementation, learning, and advocacy agenda.
• Identify and segment the Migration and Remittance portfolio’s key audiences, which include governments from Africa and Asia, global and regional providers of remittances and other financial services, and international organizations.
• Set targets, alongside a strong monitoring and evaluation protocol, including data analytics to re-shape and optimize the strategy and specific campaigns to drive further engagement.

Throughout 2021, the consultant is expected to keep the strategy updated by identifying new opportunities for digital engagement, keeping abreast of new trends in the digital communications space.

Deliverables:

• Developed Digital Communications Strategy of the Migration and Remittance portfolio - – brand and reputation management, social listening, social media management and monitoring, social influencer management, media monitoring and media database, audience insights and competitive intelligence.

• Workplan that reflects the implementation approach for the Migration and Remittance portfolio’s Digital Communications Strategy along the above listed.

Output 2. Lead the implementation of the Digital Communications Strategy of the Migration and Remittance portfolio by:

• Managing the Migration and Remittance portfolio’s social media channels on a daily basis. This includes boosting followers and engagement on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other relevant channels that the consultants might advise to use. In this regard, the consultants are expected to develop target lists for effective engagement.
• Undertaking research to identify and engage with new tools and platforms to help advance the mandate of the Migration and Remittance portfolio. These could include blogging platforms, channels such as WhatsApp or e-blasts through Mailchimp.
• Working closely with Communications lead and key colleagues and members on content creation and dissemination. Draft and edit a wide range of communications materials, including social media posts, comment pieces, presentations, newsletters and other innovative learning products.
• Work with colleagues to help implement digital communications and advocacy strategies and plans at regional level and in key countries. This includes advising on messages and providing support around events and webinars, for both government and corporate initiatives.
• Working closely with key colleagues to identity key learning resources from external sources to share within our network of public and private sector partners.
• Collaborating with members and partners around key moments by developing strong social media packages with key messages and visuals.
• Conceptualizing, drafting and coordinating the development of innovative visual assets such as infographics and animations with colleagues, vendors and partners.
• Helping maintain updated content on our website by creating content, sourcing and posting.
• Increasing social media usage by colleagues, by providing training and suggesting sample posts.
• Monitoring the mentions of the Migration and Remittance portfolio on media and social media and inform the Communications lead on possible risks for the organization.
• Submitting evaluation reports on the impact of the Migration and Remittance portfolio’s communications activities on social media and other digital platforms, analyzing data to continue innovating and improving to drive engagement.

Deliverables:

• Daily news monitoring, sourcing and daily management of social media channels, including of key members of the team, notably on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, including content creation and increased reach and engagement.

• Hyper-targeting social media lists for relevant countries and type of audiences

• Provide quarterly social media statistics and a set of recommendations for improvement of digital communications efforts.

• Support logistics and event management across regional offices for virtual and (when possible) in-person events.

• Provide broader support on communications and advocacy.

Duration of the Work

The assignment will have an initial duration of twelve months/220 working days. An extension of another one (1) year is possible depending on performance, continued need for the services and availability of funds. The performance control/monitoring mechanism will be applied from the start date.

Duty Station

• Home-based

• If there is any approved travel, UNCDF will pay separately travel expenses (economy airfare, terminal expenses and per diems which include hotel and food expenses) according to standard UN rates provided by UNCDF official travel agency, and based on evidence of approved and actual travel.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Payments will be made on a monthly basis based on the reception and validation of the following deliverables. Disbursement of payments should be approved by the Head of Communications.

Competencies

Core competencies

• Demonstrates ethics and integrity.
• Demonstrates political acumen and calculated risk taking.
• Impeccable diplomatic skills and knowledge of protocol.
• Builds own competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation.
• Creates and promotes open communication.
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
• Conducts fair and transparent decision making.
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability.
• Shows strong corporate commitment.

Functional Competencies:

Professional

• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas.
• Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives.
• Makes effective use of UNCDF’s and other Migration and Remittance portfolio member resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships.
• Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations.
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking.

Technical

• Prior experience on implementing digital communication strategy;
• Ability to listen and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues, members and partners.
• Ability to work independently, being pro-active and taking the initiative and smart risks, but also able to identify threats in the use of social media and other digital platforms.
• Ability to translate complex policy ideas and technical concepts into plain and snappy language.
• Seeks and proposes opportunities for advancing the mission of the Migration and Remittance portfolio.
• Hyper-targeting social media lists for relevant countries and type of audiences.
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise, including on social media listening and monitoring tools such as Meltwater.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities, whilst maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in communications, journalism, international relations or a related field is mandatory.

Experience & knowledge 

• At least five years of successful experience in designing and implementing innovative digital engagement strategies at international and/or national level in Africa and Asia is mandatory. This should include experience with:
  • Social media channels, particularly Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, data analytics and monitoring tools;
  • Other tools and tactics to effectively share learning content with governments in Africa and Asia, companies and international organizations.
• At least five years of experience in writing and editing outstanding communications products, including social media posts, newsletters and comment pieces is mandatory.
• At least three years of experience providing support on advocacy and communications towards governments, companies, large international organizations, including donors is mandatory.
• Knowledge and passion on how digital financial inclusion and digital payments help advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals is required. This includes good understanding of key actors, opportunities and challenges.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment is highly desirable.  
• Experience in Wordpress and related page-builders (i.e., Elementor)
• Basic skills in graphic design and video editing are an advantage.

Languages

• Excellent writing, editing and verbal skills in French and very good command of spoken English is required.
• Other local languages are welcome.

Application

The following documents are requested:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive daily fee. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNCDF under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNCDF. Template for this is available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916).
• 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;
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

The technical 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 75 % or more shall be considered for a written test.

20%- Education/Qualification;

50%- Mandatory Experience.

30%- Preferred Experience.

Step III: Written test – 40 points

The candidates who achieved 75% or more at the desk review are invited to the written test. The test will be scored with pass/fail, the minimum score to pass being 70%.

Step IV: Interview – 40 points

A competency-based interview shall be conducted for all the candidates who passed the written test.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Steps II (20 points) + III (40 points) + IV (40 points) will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

Step V: Financial Evaluation

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%.

The formula for the rating of the proposals will be as follows:

Rating the Technical Proposal (TP): 70%

TP Rating = (Total Written Test and Interview Score Obtained by the Offer / Max. Obtainable Score for TP) x 100

TP Passing Score = 70% * Max. Obtainable Score for TP

Rating the Financial Proposal (FP):  30%

FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

Total Combined Score:

(TP Rating) x (Weight of TP, e.g. 70%)

+ (FP Rating) x (Weight of FP, e.g., 30%)

Total Combined and Final Rating of the Proposal

*Please be noted the financial proposal will only be opened for the candidates who pass the technical evaluation (obtained 70% of the max. obtainable score for TP).