Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries (LDCs). It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to inclusive finance 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 can provide seed capital both grants and loans as well as technical support that will improve poor peoples’ lives.

UNCDF works to enlarge peoples’ choices: it believes that poor people and communities should take decisions about their own development. UNCDF works in challenging environments – remote rural areas, countries emerging from conflict – and paves the way for others to follow. Its programmes are designed to catalyze larger investment flows from the private sector, development partners and national governments, for significant impact on the Millennium Development Goals, especially Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, and Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability.

Established by the General Assembly in 1966 and with headquarters in New York, UNCDF is an autonomous UN organization affiliated with UNDP.

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.

UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: savings-led 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. UNCDF financing models are applied in thematic areas where addressing barriers to finance at the local level can have a transformational effect for poor and excluded people and communities.

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 with a focus on reaching the last mile and addressing exclusion and inequalities of access. At the same time, UNCDF deploys its capital finance mandate in line with SDG 17 on the means of implementation, to unlock public and private finance for the poor at the local level. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs and currently to 28 of 169 targets.

UNCDF hosts the Secretariat of the Better Than Cash Alliance.

The Better Than Cash Alliance is a partnership of 75 governments, companies and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty, drive inclusive growth and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Billions of dollars in cash payments and transfers are made daily in emerging and developing economies, including payment of salaries, social welfare and relief, payments to suppliers, remittances, etc. The problems with these cash payments include a lack of transparency, accountability and security, as well as inefficiency. Furthermore, the individuals who receive the cash payments are often part of the 1.7 billion excluded from the formal financial sector. This means they are excluded from access to a range of appropriate and affordable financial services to help them save safely, take advantage of economic opportunities and reduce their vulnerability to risk.

Shifting these payments from cash to digital has the potential to improve the lives of low income people, particularly women -who are twice as likely to be excluded from the financial system, while giving governments, the development community and the private sector a more transparent, time and cost efficient, and often safer means of disbursing payments. Digitizing payments can also contribute to women’s economic participation by providing them with more control over family finances, increasing personal security, and improving economic opportunities.

The Alliance Secretariat works with its 75 members to navigate their digitization journeys, by:   

• Providing advisory services based on member priorities 
• Sharing action-oriented research and fostering peer learning 
• Conducting advocacy at national, regional and global level 

The Better Than Cash Alliance Secretariat Core Values:

• Achieving together
• Striving for excellence
• Service oriented
• Results oriented

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of Digital Payment Innovation and Resource Hub, the Research and Project Management Consultant will be driving the execution of quality research and advisory services under the Alliance thematic and in-country work.

Key responsibilities are as follows:

Advisory Services and Thematic Research: In collaboration with Regional Leads, assist in driving the execution of quality research and advisory services globally and in-country. (90 Days)

• Working with the Head of Digital Payments Innovation & Resource Hub on the implementation of a pipeline of research projects that respond to Better Than Cash Alliance members knowledge needs and help them achieve their goals.
• In partnership with the communications team, keep abreast of trends and innovation related to digital payments and undertake background research to identify frontier issues to research on.
• Research, collect information and liaise with Regional Leads to prepare monthly documentation for the Editorial and Publications committee (EPC) and bi-Monthly for the Member Services Committee (MSC)

Key Deliverables:

• Annual Knowledge Gap Assessment of research opportunities in digital payments
• Annual research strategy based on member demands and gap assessment
• 12 decks for the Editorial and Publication Committee drafted and curated in partnership with regional leads
• 6 decks for the Member Services Committee (MSC) drafted and curated in partnership with regional leads

• Bi-monthly background research ideation around frontier issues.

Advisory Services on Digital Payments: in collaboration with the Alliance regional teams, support the in-country advisory services (90 Days)

• Coordinate and help administer the resources of the Digital Payments Resource Hub in order to catalyze effective action by all Alliance members.
• Facilitate the management by the Head of hub of the global roster of technical experts and Ambassadors and match members needs with the right experts.

• Assist in developing Terms of reference, RFA, RFPs in partnership with the Service Center.
• Research, collect information and liaise with Regional Leads to prepare monthly report on initiative status and ensure all initiatives are accurately updated on asana

Key Deliverables:

• 10 in-country advisory services are properly executed across 3 continents.
• 10 successful matching of research consultants/ambassadors and in-country advisory services
• 10 RFA/RFP or TOR appropriately drafted and approved by leads for dissemination

Quality assurance for research products and communications (40 Days)

• Undertake leadership to ensure high- quality standards in  Alliance research products.
• Coordinate with the Communications Specialist and consultants the review process, production and dissemination of diverse publications, (for example toolkits, case studies, donor reports) and ensure technical solidity of the output.

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Better Than Cash Alliance Head of Digital Payment Innovation and Research Hub working closely with other key colleagues across the globe.

Duty Station

The initial appointment will be home-based.

Duration of the Work

The assignment will have a duration of 12 months, limited to a total of 220 days. The performance control/monitoring mechanism will be applied from the start date.

Travel

Travel to the field and other relevant locations may be required and will be compensated on 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 in amounts not exceeding the UN established Rate.

Please note that UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visas for consultants. Non- resident consultants are responsible for securing the required work visa and may be requested to prove their residency status.

Please note that consultants will not be compensated for living expenses in the duty station.

Provision of Monitoring, Progress Controls & Payments

• The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Digital Payments Resource and Innovation Hub, who would set and review the biweekly deliverables and will hold a weekly communication either in person, or via e-mail and/or skype for coordination and guidance purposes, ensuring consultants’ output quality and targets.

• Payments will be made periodically, in line with the payment schedule below and upon confirmation of UNCDF that the individual has delivered on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner based on the completed deliverables stated as ‘Key Responsibilities’ under part B above. 

• Final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.

The following supporting documents will serve as conditions for disbursement:

1. submission of an invoice and Certificate of Payment (COP).
2. review, approval and written acceptance of each deliverable by the  Head of Digital Payments Resource and Innovation Hub
3. submission of a workplan / progress report with relevant supporting documentation.

The payment schedule will be as follows:   

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates ethics and integrity.
• Demonstrates political acumen and calculated risk taking.
• 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.
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability.
• Shows strong corporate commitment.

Functional Competencies:

Professional

• Ensures the full implementation of a project and the financial resources to obtain results.
• Conceptualizes more effective approaches to programme development and implementation
• Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives.
• Makes effective use of Better Than Cash Alliance resources and comparative advantage to help Alliance members meet their objectives.
• Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations.
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking.

Technical:

• Demonstrated excellent writing, editing and communications skills to an international standard including correspondence, reports, talking points and briefing material is essential
• Knowledge of project management cloud tools. i.e. asana, slack
• Working knowledge of current developments in payment technologies, including innovative payment methods (e.g., mobile financial services, pre-paid/reloadable/other cards, etc.);
• Solid skills in data analysis and data management (spreadsheets, data visualization tools like Tableau, etc.)
• Understanding of key issues and international good practice relating to financial inclusion and digital payments.
• Excellent presentation and representation skills in multicultural contexts.
• Ability to translate complex technical ideas to a non-technical audience in both verbally and in writing.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, international relations or related fields, econometrics. A Bachelor’s degree with additional 2 year of professional experience will be equally accepted.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in digital payments, digital financial services, financial inclusion, ICT4D, digital government or economic development, essential.
• Working knowledge of current developments in innovative payment methods (e.g., biometric, mobile financial services, cards, etc.) essential
• Experience conducting research or direct implementation of projects on digital payments/digital financial services, essential 
• Working knowledge of policy, legal and regulatory issues related to inclusive payment technologies and/or digital government and/or use of ICT for development desirable.
• Experience in dealing with governments and/or private sector companies particularly emerging economies on digital financial services or digital payments, an advantage. 

Language requirements:

• Spoken and written fluency in English.  Knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset. 

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Invited individuals must submit the following as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications:

a)            Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability.

b)            Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience with similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and the names of least three (3) professional references (e-mail addresses, telephone numbers). 

c)            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.  Please use the form available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916

Criteria for Selection of the best offer

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 (desk review) and 30% financial.

Step I: Evaluation by Desk Review (100 points)

The Better Than Cash Alliance will conduct a review of a profile (technical evaluation) that matches applicants experience and expertise to the key tasks outlined in the consultancy. This review will cover the following (as per Section G above):

• Graduate degree in public/business administration, finance, engineering, economics, international affairs, development, political science, or other relevant fields. Professional experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree i.e. Masters. – 20 Points

• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience, in digital payments, financial services, financial inclusion, economic development. - 30 Points
• Professional experience conducting research or direct implementation of projects on digital payments or digital financial inclusion - 30 Points
• Demonstrated excellent writing, editing and communications skills to an international standard including correspondence, reports, talking points and briefing material is essential. - 20 Points

Step II: Financial Evaluation:

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

Lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%.

Step III: Award Criteria:

The contact shall be awarded to the applicant whose offer have been evaluated and determined as:

•              Responsive/compliant/acceptable vis-à-vis the requirements of the TOR and the project operating environment; and

•              Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (70%) and financial (30%) criteria.

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.

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