Historique

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 least developed countries (LDCs). 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. This last mile is where available resources for development are scarcest; where market failures are most pronounced; and where benefits from national growth tend to leave people excluded.

MM4P is a programme launched by UNCDF in a select group of 6-8 LDCs. Launched in Zambia in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation, MM4P provides support to branchless and mobile financial services to demonstrate how the correct mix of financial, technical and policy support can build a robust branchless and mobile financial services ecosystem that reaches low income people in LDCs.

MM4P is interested in seeing Zambia become a leading digital financial services (DFS) market, including mobile phone and other digital means.  MM4P requires a Project & Knowledge Management consultant to establish and consolidate its presence in Zambia and ensure that there is a strong learning component to this endeavor. It will be critical to be learning from the 6-8 other MM4P countries on their best practices and lessons learned, as well as sharing out to the larger community what Zambia is learning. This person will also be complementing the work of Agrifin Accelerate &  the Financial Sector Deepening Zambia (FSDZ), which are two of MM4P’s main partners on the ground in Zambia.

The Project & Knowledge Management consultant will be expected to interact effectively with senior levels of partner organizations, collaboratively support the Technical Specialist and DFS Experts, support project development with partners and provide knowledge management and project management support. The successful candidate for this position must be highly motivated, entrepreneurial and results-oriented.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Under the direct supervision of the Country Technical Specialist for Digital Finance and Knowledge Management Senior Associate, the Research and Knowledge Management Consultant will provide support to MM4P’s communications and sharing strategy in Zambia. Focusing on achievement of the following results:

Assist in developing activities that raise stakeholders’ knowledge and capacity on Digital Finance

  • Based on the country work plan, participate and support market research activities (customer experience, customer demand, agent network diagnosis, agent network challenges, payment flows diagnosis, data analytics, etc.) in order to gather the necessary information and market knowledge to reach MM4P objectives in country.
  • Ensure each UNDF MM4P team member (and relevant partners) has received a proper induction about UNCDF, MM4P and Zambia programme and understand objectives and ways of working within the programme
  • Disseminate key information to all stakeholders to raise their Digital Finance (DF) capacities by organizing regular formal and informal exchange sessions with key stakeholders to share information within the market. Support the MM4P Zambia team on coordination, organizational details and procurement issues related to creating participatory, knowledge enhancing workshops and events;  (including manage guest lists, speakers briefing, invitations, information packages, assist with on-site event set up).
  • Draft conference / workshop proceedings, lessons learned reports; Develop survey and feedback tools, analyze and provide feedback to teams; Develop action item follow up list to ensure that expected results are met.
  • Support the team in producing compelling presentations for events; Speak at local conferences on behalf of the DFS team in Zambia, sharing results and state of the market information based on presentations and research carried out by the programme in Zambia and countries in the region.
  • Conceptualize, produce and procure the production of KM events, products, publications that  use innovative means of making DFS knowledge accessible and interesting. Ensure that branding of each of MM4P Zambia event is consistent with UNCDF branding guidelines and each programme funders’ requirements.

Deliverables: At least 3 events by end 2017 (media training, Award and DFS working group) and 5 large events in 2018; Speaking assignments - tbd according to demand by external partners in 2018; Coordinate the production of at least 3 videos and 4 in-depth report and bite size versions for each report; Produce at least 2 decks presenting the state of the market and the programme’ s accomplishments; Create and feed the image bank of the programmes with at least 5 to 10 high resolution pictures of projects and events.

Result: MM4P has held results-oriented events in Zambia that receive consistent positive feedback from participants during which action items are pursued. MM4P is considered an expert and reference programme in Zambia.

Contribute to production and dissemination of knowledge in various formats:

  • Plan, draft and contribute to the creation of different knowledge products, drawing on best practices, currently used formats and policies at UNCDF; extract key findings from research pieces and project reports; draft shorter versions of research reports for blogs and press quotes/releases that can support the communications and advocacy agenda.
  • Based on the work plan, assist in implementing ecosystem activities.  Plan, organize, animate and participate in various workshops/trainings on digital finance topics open to all stakeholders to raise their knowledge (strategy, agent, customers experience, product development, partnerships, etc.).
  • Oversee the publications process for Zambia’s publications, working with the MM4P team, authors, editors, research partners and relevant operations units, to fulfil knowledge generation targets; Ensure the inclusion of gender issues and gender disaggregated data and/or analysis in the programme research agenda and publications.
  • Assist the MM4P team in developing and maintaining list serves and contact databases for partners and other stakeholders.
  • Manage the dissemination of diverse publications and news releases through print and video.
  • Motivate team members and coordinate their contribution to blogs and social media. Contribute to UNCDF’s social media platforms including: drafting social media packages for the dissemination of publications, curating content related to DFS and Zambia.
  • Liaise with FSDZ and UNDP Zambia and/or development partners for information sharing.
  • Identify opportunities for scholarship or sponsorships for MM4P’s partners, help match events and partners, organize logistics and registration with partners.

Deliverables: Propose a plan for increasing networking and cross-learning among MM4P programme partners in Zambia based on the country Annual Work Plan; Coordinate the writing and editing of at least 24 blog post/press release in 12 months; Monitor the research and learning agenda for Zambia; Provide quarterly report to MM4P on research and learning activities in Zambia for funders; Include Zambia partners in Dgroups and in email list; Write and disseminate at least 6 briefing notes on various DFS topics and themes (such as unique learnings and product development from Zambia) in 12 months. Write and coordinate the publication of one market annual monitor.

Result: MM4P has an active research programme with a variety of knowledge products that are completed on time and disseminated broadly; these products position MM4P as a lead practitioner in digital financial services. MM4P Zambia is viewed as a reliable, organized, and transparent source of information and takes the lead on sharing information with stakeholders. 

Assist in the development of innovative ideas, plans and projects and support the implementation of the programme.

Activities:

  • Build good and continuous relationship with all existing and potential Digital Finance stakeholders and have regular contact to be aware of all digital finance (DF) market dynamics.
  • Support the Technical Specialist in all project descriptions, appraisals, and endorsements.
  • Work with Programme Management Associate in Brussels to make sure project cycle and project monitoring ways of working are applied and projects are properly monitored, including both technical implementation as well as research projects or projects that involve research.
  • Provide tactical and implementation guidance for UNCDF Zambia projects, assuring that the learning and results of projects are met on time and are in line with country strategy.
  • Work with Technical Specialist and DFS Experts to undertake regular analysis and prepare briefs on the evolving trends in the country to identify implementation risks and assist in the developing of annual workplans and progress reports.
  • Contribute to the RMF design for the country and the analysis of the data to be communicated, e.g., co-designing data-collection strategies, as well as defining the messaging and narrative around the data collected.

Outputs/deliverables: The consultant will support the drafting of at least 4 project documents, and be able to draft quarterly new “discoveries” for each element of the “honeycomb” and lead the sharing of these discoveries with country team. The overall country strategy will include a KM strategy and clear knowledge deliverables. The consultant will actively provide technical guidance on at least 2 projects in Zambia.

Result: The programme has a portfolio of projects that reflect the global strategy of the programme. The portfolio of projects supports the global learning agenda of the programme in Zambia and in the other countries. The knowledge gathered through each activity and project is well captured, documented and packaged for dissemination.

 

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
  • 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:

  • In-depth understanding and experience of project management functions;
  • Proven experience in project management functionalities;
  • Time Management: experience managing multiple and competing deliverables;
  • Analytical Skills: demonstrated analytical skills in project management.

Management and Leadership:

  • Leadership Skills: proven experience motivated employees, resolve conflicts;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humor even under pressure;
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
  • Ability to manage events, oversee contributions of other actors.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

  • Ability to organize and perform a variety of specialized tasks simultaneously related to Results Management, including administrative support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting;
  • Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.

Leadership and Self-Management:

  • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Interacts with others in a professional, respectful, and friendly manner;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
  • Communicates clearly and convincingly.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

  • University Degree in social sciences, business, development or related discipline would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience: 

  • At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, development or other relevant field is required at the national or international level;
  • Exposure to financial services industry, the donor community or the development field;
  • Intermediate level of expertise in digital financial services – understanding key barriers, key catalysts to change, and the range of key stakeholders in most DFS Ecosystems;
  • Experience overseeing and conducting research and managing research projects;
  • Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, web design and/or maintenance;
  • Experience in overseeing document and report production, print and electronic publishing;
  • Experience in branding, communications and experience in media relations, graphic design and video production.

Language:

  • Fluency in English.

Timeline, duration of assignment, duty station and expected places of travel:

  • Timeline: 12 months
  • Location: Lusaka, Zambia.
  • Total Number of Working Days for Assignment: 264 work days.

Please note that UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visa´s for consultants. Consultants are responsible for securing their work documentation. In the case of national consultants, applicants that are not nationals of the duty station requested will have to prove their residence status.  Please note that consultants residing at the duty station will not be compensated for living expenses.

Travel:

  • Travel expenses to join duty station (Lusaka) must be quoted in the financial proposal.
  • Regular travel to the field and other relevant locations may be required and will be compensated according to UN polices.  

Provision of Monitoring, Progress Controls & Payments:

  • The consultant will work under the direct supervision of Zambia Regional Technical Specialist, Digital Finance with indirect supervision of Knowledge Manager (based in Brussels);
  • Payment will be made on periodical basis in accordance with number of days worked and upon satisfactorily achieved deliverables. All payments are subject to the clearance and approval of the direct supervisor;
  •  Final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.

Application:

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;
  • At least 3 writing sample covering issues related to financial inclusion where individual was the primary author (no more than 2 pages)
  • Earliest availability and proposed schedule for consultancy;
  • Curriculum Vitae;
  • Completed P11 Personal History Form with names and current contacts of 3 referees (available fromhttp://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 http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916).

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

Please note that UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visa’s for consultants. Consultants are responsible for securing their work documentation. In the case of national consultants, applicants that are not nationals of the duty station requested will have to prove their residence status. 

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

  • Preliminary Evaluation - Step I: Screening;
  • Technical Evaluation Weight - 70% x (Step II: 20 Points + Step III: 80 Points = 100 Points);
  • Financial Evaluation Weight - 30% = Step IV.

Step I: Screening

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following minimum criteria (listed under education and experience) and that will have provided samples of writing will progress to the pool for shortlisting.

Step II: Shortlisting by Desk Review

UNCDF will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate the candidates. Only candidates that obtained 80% of the points at this stage shall be invited for the next step.

Step III: Written test

A written test will be administered to the top 4 shortlisted candidates. The test will be scored with pass/fail, the minimum score to pass being 70%.

Step IV: Interview

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

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Steps II (20 points) + III (30 points) + IV (50 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%.

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 proposal & Interview) 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.