Digital Finance Services (DFS) Consultant, Lusaka, ZAMBIA at UNDP 30 views0 applications

Advertised on behalf of : Location : Lusaka, ZAMBIA

Application Deadline : 16-May-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : International Consultant

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Jul-2017

Duration of Initial Contract : 12 Months (264 working days)

Expected Duration of Assignment : Can be extended for another 12 months (24 months in total)

Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 48 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.

Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P) is a global thematic initiative to address the opportunities and challenges of implementing branchless banking and mobile money in challenging markets in Africa and Asia. MM4P’s long-term mission is to help low income and rural households in LDCs increase their financial security through appropriate, affordable and secure means to receive, manage and save money through these ‘digital financial services’ (DFS). UNCDF is currently implementing this in eight countries (Benin, Laos, Nepal, Liberia, Malawi, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia).

In Zambia, MM4P launched its program in March 2015 through a joint partnership with Financial Sector Deepening Zambia (FSDZ) called ‘Expanding Digital Financial Services’. This partnership funded by both MasterCard Foundation and the UKaid is aimed at increasing active usage of DFS from the current 3% to 36% by 2019 amongst the adult population. Using the MM4P theory of change, the program seeks to work with all DFS providers, the regulators and the government to achieve this mandate.

MM4P is interested in seeing Zambia become a leading digital financial services (DFS) market, including mobile phone and other means of branchless banking. Zambia was the earliest adopter of DFS in Africa and has been stuck in the ‘sub-scale trap’ ever since. In many ways, the country is still in a start-up phase due to low outreach, activity and product choice. MM4P’s recent studies shows that most Zambians still don’t have a meaningful awareness of the value of DFS for them. Despite being on par for number of transactions per agent, agents’ revenues and profitability are lower than in other East African countries, explaining the slow growth of agents. But Zambia does have an increasingly diverse and competitive market around first generation services. In 2015, several operators began to pursue aggressive expansion strategies, and agent numbers have grown significantly in the past year. The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) is predisposed to DFS although several regulations are ‘stuck’ in government processes and political challenges and their remains an uneven playing field favoring non-banks over banks.

In partnership and with financing from the Mastercard Foundation, MM4P will be implementing an ‘ecosystem support strategy’ to hasten the scalability of branchless and mobile financial services, particularly in rural areas. This includes a high level of training, technical assistance and grants to Financial Service Providers (FSPs), agent networks and the government of Zambia.

MM4P seeks a consultant with experience in Digital Financial Services (DFS) to provide technical expertise and inputs to the MM4P programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Activities

The consultant will provide technical expertise and input to the MM4P programme in the development of the following activities:

• Support the MM4P team in Zambia in the delivery and quality assurance of technical deliverables for the following projects:Help to organize & provide technical input to the meetings of the Zambia DFS working group, chaired by UNCDF.
  • Technical Input to the UNHCR CBI Digitization Project;
  • Technical Delivery of Strategy support to ZamPost;
  • Technical Delivery of Innovative Distribution Models Pilot;
  • Technical Delivery of the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Data Automation work, automating Data Collection with the BoZ Payments Division and DFS providers;
  • Organize Public-Private Dialogue through Feedback2Action Workshops;
  • Strengthen relationships with UN organizations, particularly supporting relationship with WFP, creating a working group for public organizations supporting digitization of social cash transfer.
• Assist the MM4P team in organizing a local exposure (study) visit for Zambian DFS stakeholders.
• Provide support to the MM4P technical specialist (Zambia) on additional topics as needed.

Deliverables and estimated schedule

Month 1:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all projects
• Technical Delivery of the ZamPost Technical Assistance: (if necessary) complete drafting of project description; support UNCDF required processes to complete Investment Committee approval; complete kick-off to support the Strategy & Technology Assessment to ZamPost in agreed Project Description.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project deliverables;
• Work with the payments department of the Bank of Zambia to support the design, procurement and implementation of a data automation system: Action Plan Delivered and agreement established from UNCDF & BoZ.

Month 2:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all projects.
• Technical specifications summarized after interviews with BoZ ICT, BoZ Payments Division, DFS Providers and other relevant stakeholders.
• Technical Delivery of the ZamPost Technical Assistance: complete at least 1/3 of the deliverables to support the Strategy & Technology Assessment to ZamPost in agreed Project Description.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project; ensure technical soundness of Cost-Benefit analysis and RFP designed by project team.

Month 3:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all projects.
• Technical Delivery of the Innovative Distribution Models Pilot: Support the creation of a project description and all supporting documents required by UNCDF to support at least one partnership with a DFS provider in the market testing innovative distribution models.
• Technical Delivery of the ZamPost Technical Assistance: complete at least 1/3 of the deliverables to support the Strategy & Technology Assessment to ZamPost in agreed Project Description.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project;
• RFP/RFA designed for Bank of Zambia DFS Data Automation project
• Public-Private Dialogue through Feedback2Action: organize and support at least 1 Feedback2Action Workshops on topics critical to advancement of the DFS Ecosystem; like USSD as a utility, agency banking, redress mechanisms for DFS fraud, or others as relevant at that time.

Month 4:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all projects.
• Technical Delivery of the Innovative Distribution Models Pilot: Complete the deliverables to support at least one partnership with a DFS provider in the market testing innovative distribution models.
• Technical Delivery of the ZamPost Technical Assistance: complete final remaining deliverables to support the Strategy & Technology Assessment to ZamPost in agreed Project Description.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project deliverables;
• Meetings of the Zambia DFS working group: Meeting materials and reports completed.

Month 5:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all projects
• Technical Delivery of the Innovative Distribution Models Pilot: Complete the deliverables to support at least one partnership with a DFS provider in the market testing innovative distribution models.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project; ensure technical soundness of Cost-Benefit analysis and RFP designed by project team.
• Support the Knowledge Management Consultant to Organize a local exposure (study) visit for Zambian DFS stakeholders: All study materials completed, exposure visit preparation done, logistics and exposure visit complete, along with a debrief report addressing KM needs.

Month 6:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all projects.
• Technical Delivery of the Innovative Distribution Models Pilot: Complete all deliverables to support at least one partnership with a DFS provider in the market testing innovative distribution models.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project; ensure technical soundness of Cost-Benefit analysis and RFP designed by project team.
• Technical input to the selection of the BoZ Data Automation System service provider.

Month 7:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all projects.
• Technical Delivery of the Innovative Distribution Models Pilot: Complete deliverables to support at least one partnership with a DFS provider in the market testing innovative distribution models.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project; ensure technical soundness of Cost-Benefit analysis and RFP designed by project team.
• Meetings of the Zambia DFS working group: Meeting materials and reports completed.
• Technical input to the BoZ Data Automation System implementation.

Month 8:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all projects.
• Technical Delivery of the Innovative Distribution Models Pilot: Complete deliverables to support at least one partnership with a DFS provider in the market testing innovative distribution models.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project; ensure technical soundness of Cost-Benefit analysis and RFP designed by project team.
• Technical input to the BoZ Data Automation System implementation.

Month 9:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all project.
• Technical Delivery of the Innovative Distribution Models Pilot: Complete deliverables to support at least one partnership with a DFS provider in the market testing innovative distribution models.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project; ensure technical soundness of pilot
• Technical input to the BoZ Data Automation System implementation.
• Public-Private Dialogue through Feedback2Action: organize and support at least 2 Feedback2Action Workshops on topics critical to advancement of the DFS Ecosystem; like USSD as a utility, redress mechanisms for DFS fraud, or others as relevant at that time.

Month 10:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all project.
• Technical Delivery of the Innovative Distribution Models Pilot: Complete deliverables to support at least one partnership with a DFS provider in the market testing innovative distribution models.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project; ensure technical soundness of pilot
• Technical input to the BoZ Data Automation System implementation.
• Meetings of the Zambia DFS working group: Meeting materials and reports completed.

Month 11:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all project.
• Technical Delivery of the Innovative Distribution Models Pilot: Complete deliverables to support at least one partnership with a DFS provider in the market testing innovative distribution models.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project; ensure technical soundness of pilot
• Technical input to the BoZ Data Automation System implementation.

Month 12:

• Quality assurance of technical deliverables: quality report and recommendations for all project.
• Technical Delivery of the Innovative Distribution Models Pilot: Complete all deliverables to support at least one partnership with a DFS provider in the market testing innovative distribution models.
• Technical Input to UNHCR project: support the technical delivery of UNHCR Cash Based Intervention Digitization project; ensure technical soundness of pilot and long term roadmap
• Technical input to the completion of the BoZ Data Automation System implementation.

This schedule is subject to change, the final calendar shall be completed during contract negotiation.

Competencies

Professional:

• Takes on innovation and new approaches and fosters innovation in others.
• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking.

Client Orientation:

• Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives.
• Ability to interact and adapt communication with various management level at our partners.
• Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities, and resolve problems.
• Focus on impact and results for clients and stakeholders.
• Builds trust in interactions with others, facilitates partnerships; excellent networking capabilities to link people/businesses from diverse horizons.
• Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and responds positively to feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A Master’s degree in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, or related discipline or the equivalent experience

Experience:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in progressively more responsible positions in the financial services and/or telecommunications field is mandatory;
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience working with branchless banking and mobile financial services is mandatory
• Experience in working with the implementation of branchless banking and mobile financial services projects is mandatory
• Experience in project management;
• Experience with government payments in one or more developing countries;
• Experience in English-speaking African Countries is a plus.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is mandatory.

Timeline, duration of the assignment, duty station:

• Timeline: 01 July 2017 – 30 June 2018.
• Estimated Total Number of Working Days: 264.
• Duty station: Lusaka, Zambia.

Travel and visa:

• Travel:1 return air ticket to join duty station (Lusaka, Zambia) must be quoted in the financial proposal.
• Occasional travel may be required and will be compensated according to UN polices.
• UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visas 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.

Provision of Monitoring, Progress Controls & Payments:

• The primary contact for reporting for this TOR shall be the MM4P shall be UNCDF Regional Technical Specialist;
• 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;
• Earliest availability and proposed schedule for consultancy;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Completed 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);
• Fully completed and signed Financial proposal for the full months assignment outlining the total professional fee (including professional fees, per diem in Lusaka) other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc.), duty travel (1 return ticket from country of origin to Lusaka, Zambia). 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 group all your documents into one (1) single PDF file as the system only allows to upload maximum one attachment.

Evaluation: Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Preliminary Evaluation – Step I: Pre-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) 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 them.

As applicable, only the first top 3 ranked applicants achieving 70% of the points at this stage shall be invited for an interview.

Step III: Interview: A competency-based Interview shall be conducted for the top 3 shortlisted candidates.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Steps II (20 points) +III (80 points) will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

Step IV: 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.

UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visa´s for consultants. Please explain whether you have a residence status in the duty station of the assignment or whether you are capable of obtaining it before the assignment.

UNDP 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.

UNDP 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.