The United Nations Capital Development Fund (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.

Leaving no one behind in the digital era

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 and financing 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.

Inclusion is at the heart of UNCDF’s strategy to promote digital economies that leave no one behind, which can only be achieved if digital economies are developed at the national level and if there is a focus on making them inclusive—without any new form of exclusion.  We place particular importance on youth, women, migrants, refugees, and MSMEs, customer segments that are often marginalized and denied digital innovation and technology due to social norms, societal status, and limited revenue and capacity. We place the empowerment of these customer segments at the center of UNCDF initiatives to develop innovative services in various sectors.

Our approach focuses on accelerating the development and financing of inclusive digital economies at the country level with the government, the private sector and academia, with specific attention given to the development and financing of the right services to reduce the digital divide and to empower key customer segments.

To implement the UNCDF strategy, we apply a country-level market development approach. The objective of such an approach is to continuously aim to understand and intervene in select market systems to address underlying market dysfunctions in order to improve efficiencies, effectiveness and sustainability. The approach seeks to (1) leverage the roles and behaviors of current players in the marketplace, support them to do what they do better or to change their behavior; (2) strengthen the systems and relationships among the various market and sector actors; and (3) work with current players to de-risk new business models in order to make digital solutions more inclusive for key segments and reduce the digital divide.

In Tanzania, while access to digital financial services has improved in the last decade, a number of issues hinder the development of an inclusive digital economy. UNCDF aims to address key market constraints that inhibit the development of an inclusive digital economy. UNCDF aims to support the regulator in Tanzania to deploy a Level 1 aligned national real time payment network to include all classes of Digital Financial Service Providers (DFSPs)[1]. The project aims at preparing payment aggregators, microfinance institutions and SACCOs by building their capacity to prepare them for integration into the envisaged inclusive instant payment system. In parallel, the project will seek to better understand national policies covering MFIs and payments and will identify policies that need to be adjusted to achieve the MFI industry goals of Level 1 participation and drive the development of an industry-led advocacy strategy to ensure that the operational environment is enabling. Additionally, UNCDF is evaluating the fintech landscape in Tanzania, in order to understand the key challenges impeding the growth of fintechs, and to identify opportunities for collaboration to drive the growth of inclusive innovation in Tanzania.

As part of this engagement UNCDF is looking for an Interoperable Payments System (IPS)[2] Consultant with strong expertise in the technical and technological aspects of the national payments systems, regulation of open payment systems, capacity building of DFSPs on integration requirements and participation rules, regulation around fintech innovation and open APIs. The consultant will also inform the formulation of an industry position paper from a technical and technological standpoint and how it relates to the national payment system’s infrastructure.

The IPS Consultant is expected to be engaged by January 2021 through a non-exclusive Framework Agreement, also known as Long-Term Agreement (LTA), formalized through an Individual Contract (IC). A Framework Agreement is known in UNCDF as an agreement that established terms, conditions and prices that will govern future contracts (known as „call offs” arising from the said Agreement, which could be issued at any time within the duration of the IC). More information on the Framework Agreement can be found below.

[1] Digital Financial Services Providers is abbreviated DFSPs throughout the document and refers to  the broad range of financial services accessed and delivered through digital channels, including payments, credit, savings, remittances and insurance. Guideline Note-19 DFS-Terminology.pdf (afi-global.org)

[2] The term Interoperability Payments Systems is abbreviated IPS throughout the document. Guideline Note-19 DFS-Terminology.pdf (afi-global.org)

Under the direct supervision of UNCDF’s Tanzania Country Lead, the IPS Consultant will be responsible for the following key duties and responsibilities:

1. Guide MFIs/SACCOs and payment aggregators on how best to adhere to regulations governing participation and integration into the National Instant Payments System. 
2. Advise and offer technical inputs to MFIs/SACCOs in the design of use-cases (including G2P payments) made possible by integrating into the National Instant Payments System.
3. Document technical inputs on the technological and regulatory specifications for DFSP integration and create  a DFSP guide for interoperability integration.
4. Support the Country Team in ensuring continued and strong communication  between the national instant payments infrastructure partner, payment aggregator/s and the regulator in building capacity of the select MFIs/SACCOs.
5. Ensure trainings prepared and performed by the Payments Infrastructure Partner are customized to and appropriate for Tanzanian DFSPs.  
6. Follow-up with MFIs/SACCOs to ensure training is relevant and appropriate.  Provide individualized reinforcement trainings if necessary.
7. Support UNCDF experts to liaise with the regulatory authorities and other relevant stakeholders in formulating standards meant to guide fintech integration and open APIs.
8. Provide ideas and support to the UNCDF country team on how best to support fintechs and e-commerce platforms in Tanzania.
9. Support with the assessment of Tanzania’s digital economy using UNCDF’s Inclusive Digital Economies Scorecard.

The table below outlines the list of key deliverables and estimated number of days:

Monitoring and Progress Control

The consultant will work under direct supervision of UNCDF’s Tanzania Country Lead and/or other FIPA project management unit that may call-off the LTA and require services of the individual. The consultant will be responsible for providing his/her own portable computer during his/her engagement with UNCDF. It is to be noted that this assignment is ‘home-based’ and the candidates will work remotely from any location provided that they have the necessary connection/home-office arrangements that will allow them to deliver on the expected outputs.

Payment to an Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days agreed with UNCDF as reflected in the call off (PO) and upon certification of satisfactory completion and acceptance of the outputs by the UNCDF’s Tanzania Country Lead or other FIPA project management unit that may call-off the LTA.

Supporting documents that will serve as conditions for disbursement are as follows: (i) submission of an invoice and Certificate of Payment (COP); (ii) review, approval and written acceptance of each deliverable by the UNCDF’s Tanzania Country Lead or other FIPA project management unit; (iii) authorization of payment disbursement from the direct supervisor in UNCDF. Where payment is based on days and not on milestone outputs, the submission of the timesheet and expenses with relevant documentation may be required by UNCDF. 

Technical competencies

• Strong knowledge of Financial Markets Infrustracture, with a minimum of five years experience.
• Experience working with central banks, payment aggregators and open payment system vendors on National Instant Payments Systems.
• Track record in facilitating discussions or understanding rules and standards that determine how the payment system is governed, managed and operated.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing projects/ programs in the payments eco system, and around digital payments is mandatory.
• Previous working experience in the East African Community Partner States is required.
• Experience working in Tanzania preferable.
• Ability to work with central banks, regulators, government and fintechs on the regulation of new (fintech related) technologies and innovation.
• Experience of carrying out feasibility studies or gap analysis assessments.
• Ability to translate complex technical ideas to a non-technical audience both verbally and in writing.
• Understanding of need for sensitivity and confidentially of information involved in dealing with regulators.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.

Functional competencies

• Strong ability to communicate and function effectively in local/international/multicultural environment.
• Excellent networking sklls with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Project management skills.
• Excellent PowerPoint and Excel skills.
• High level planning, organizational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise effectively at senior levels, including government.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills of a high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and advice.
• Pro-active, constructive attitude, open to feedback.

Education

• Masters Degree in Economics, Finance, Banking, Development, Business Management, Information and Communication Technology, or related field is mandatory.

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience working with central banks, payment aggregators and/or open Payment Infrasctructure Partners on National Instant Payments Systems is mandatory. 
• Experience in developing and implementing projects/ programs in the payments eco system, and around digital payments is highly desired.
• Experience with policy formulation and design/contribution to national payment strategies is highly desired.
• Experience working with FSPs and/or financial technology companies on payment integration and digital financial services is desired.
• Experience working in (or with) central banks, regulatory bodies, on the management, oversight, or regulation of new technologies and innovation in Tanzania and in other East African countries is desired.
• Experience supporting DFSPs with open APIs is desired.

Language

• Excellent written and oral English is mandatory
• Knowledge of Kiswahili is desired.

Timeline, total number of working days, duty station:

• Timeline: January 2021 – January 2022
• Total Number of Working Days for Assignment: Up to 90 working days within 12 months.
• Duty station: The consultant shall be home-based, except when called by UNCDF to conduct missions and/or to attend meetings. Travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses shall be agreed upon as per UNCDF policy, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel. Please note that this consultancy is a home-based assignment, therefore, there is no envisaged travel cost to join duty station/living expenses. 

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) indicating open web links of published case studies and research papers as well;
• 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 at: 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.) Available at: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916. All unit prices indicated in the Financial Proposal shall remain the same for the duration of the IC, including amendments thereto.

Selection process and evaluation:

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. The weight distribution shall be 70% technical and 30% financial.   

Step I: Screening: 

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

• Masters Degree in Economics, Finance, Banking, Development, Business Management, Information Communication Technology or related field is mandatory.
• At least 5 years of experience working with central banks, payment aggregators and/or open payment system vendors on national payments systems is mandatory
• Excellent written command of the English language is mandatory.

Step II: Shortlisting by desk review (30% out of technical assessment):

UNCDF will produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate candidates  by using the following criteria with corresponding points (100 points): 

• Experience in developing and implementing projects/ programs in the payments eco system, and around digital payments: 20 points
• Experience with policy formulation and design/contribution to national payment strategies: 20  points
• Experience working in (or with) central banks, regulatory bodies on the management, oversight, or regulation of new technologies and innovation in Tanzania and in other East African countries: 20 points
• Experience working with FSPs and/or financial technology companies on payment integration and digital financial services: 20 points
• Experience supporting DFSPs with open APIs: 10 points
• Excellent written command of the English language: 5 points
• Knowledge of Kiswahili: 5 points

As applicable, the applicants achieving 70% of the points at this stage shall be invited for an interview via Skype.

Step III: Interview (70% out of technical assessment)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum score of 70% at the desk review stage shall be invited to a competency-based interview.

Step IV: Financial Evaluation:

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Step II (Desk review 30 % + Interview 70%) shall be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

The following formula will be used to evaluate the 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 has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest combined weight: (technical scores)70% + financial 30%= 100%.

The first ranked top candidate that achieved the highest cumulative score will be recommended for award of Framework Agreement, upon approval of Procurement Review Committee.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

The Interoperable Payments Systems Consultant is to be compensated based on a daily fee payable upon satisfactory completion of each deliverable reflected in the call-off TOR and submission of related reports during every call-off.  The daily fee shall remain fixed for the duration of the IC, including any extension that may be executed.

Payments shall be made following certification by the UNCDF’s Tanzania Country Lead or other FIPA project management unit 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.

Contract management mechanism:

UNCDF will regularly monitor the consultant’s performance against the following criteria:

• meeting TOR requirements
• timeliness of work completion and report submission
• positive feedback of project counterparts

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 are strongly encouraged to apply.

Framework Agreement:

It is important to note that, at the time of the issuance of the IC that serves as the Framework Agreement, both parties understand that no financial obligation or commitment is formed on the part of UNCDF, and that such an agreement is non-exclusive (i.e., it does not prohibit UNCDF from entering into another such framework agreement with another individual or entity).  Financial commitments will only be established each time the services are requested within the scope of the IC, through the agreed triggering action or document (e.g., PO with attached output-specific TORs) that signals the commencement of an engagement (“call-offs”).

This IC is intended for on-call intermittent engagement for a maximum of 90 working days spread over a period of 12 months, which is the duration of the project implementation.

During this period, specific service requests (also known as call-offs) shall be placed by UNCDF, in the form of issuance of Purchase Orders, supplemented by a specific Terms of Reference (TOR), and these documents will indicate the total cost of the services for the duration of the call-off, a brief description of the work, indicating the, and the number of days that will be required to complete the services, among other call-off-specific work.

A total contract value, which shall be based on the unit price agreed by UNCDF and the individual, will be agreed by both parties that will sign the IC, and the said contract amount shall serve as the maximum cumulative value of the call-offs that UNCDF will place over the duration of the IC.

/ma