Under this framework, UNCDF is currently expanding its expertise in Ghana under “Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn)” programme to be funded by the European Union Trust Fund for Africa. This programme will contribute to addressing the root causes of irregular migration through green and climate resilient local economic development and improving future prospects of beneficiaries, by creating employment and enterprise opportunities in selected sectors and regions (Ashanti and Western). The action aims at supporting job creation in regions of departure, transit and return of Ghana, creating local financial ecosystems that facilitate the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and enabling the transition of local economies to green and climate resilient development. For more information on GrEEn, please visit https://www.uncdf.org/green.

Under Result 3, UNCDF will create and strengthen local ecosystems that support youth (self-) employment and the development of MSMEs. In particular, UNCDF will work with partners to increase access and usage of financial services, leveraging digital and innovation, adapted to the needs of (i) youth, women and returnees (ii) local communities and (iii) MSMEs. Through its technical and funding Facility under the GrEEn Project, UNCDF engages with innovative financial services providers (banks, fintech, Savings and Loans, Microfinance institutions, remittance providers, MNOs, MTOs, etc.) and support them to pilot and/or scale up innovative financial services for the excluded segments and bring them to the last mile where targeted groups struggle in accessing and using formal financial services.

To achieve this objective, UNCDF has 4 main areas of intervention targeting youth, women, returning migrants and diaspora:

1. Increase financial capabilities

2. Pilot new innovative financial services

3. Leverage on remittances for remittance-linked product and services

4. Test crowdfunding and peer to peer platforms to offer alternative financing options

As part of its work, UNCDF provides technical assistance to partners to ensure that products and services respond to the needs of targeted groups as well as partners deliver on their KPIs and meet project results.

UNCDF is looking for an Expert in Financial Inclusion and Project Management to support the GrEEn Team in providing targeted technical assistance to its financial partners and in facilitating partnerships within the eco-system.

• Excellent organizational and analytical skills complemented by sound interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to act independently and exercise sound judgment
• Proficient in MS Office Software applications, data analysis and technical presentations.
• Fluency in the qualitative research and synthesis to ideation, prototyping, and implementation
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Keen attention to detail and execution in craft
• Experience managing multiple and competing deliverables
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNCDF;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

• A Master’s Degree is required in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, microfinance or related discipline.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in banking, financial service sector, financial inclusion or related experience in private sector or an international organization is mandatory
• A minimum of two-year experience designing, conceiving, and prototyping finance solutions related use-case drivers (market research, prototype development) is mandatory
• Project management experience, including multi-tasking to lead and execute multiple time-sensitive projects in parallel is mandatory
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in Ghana is mandatory
• Good knowledge/Exposure/Experience in financial innovation is preferable
• Good knowledge/Exposure/Experience in knowledge management for financial inclusion is preferable

Language requirements:

• Proficiency in English is mandatory.

Timeline, total number of working days, duty station:

• Duration : up to 150 working days from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
• Duty station : Accra, Ghana.
• Expected places of travel : Ashanti and Western Regions of Ghana.

Progress Controls & Payments:

• The Expert will report to the Technical Specialist
• The consultant is responsible for providing his/her own laptop during his/her engagement with UNCDF
• Payments: 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.
• The deliverables stated above will serve as conditions for disbursement: (i) submission of an invoice and Certificate of Payment (COP); (ii) review, approval and written acceptance of each deliverable by the UNCDF; (iii) submission of a time-sheet and expenses with relevant supporting documentation; and (iv) an authorization of payment disbursement from a direct supervisor.

Schedule of Payments:

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

Application process:

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);

Evaluation: 

Step I: Screening & Longlisting : 

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the mandatory criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

Education: 

• A Master’s Degree is required in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, microfinance or related discipline.

Step II: Shortlisting (20 points)

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

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in banking, financial service sector, financial inclusion or related experience in private sector or an international organization is mandatory. 30TS
• A minimum of two-year experience designing, conceiving, and prototyping finance solutions related use-case drivers (market research, prototype development) is mandatory. 20PTS
• Project management experience, including multi-tasking to lead and execute multiple time-sensitive projects in parallel is mandatory. 15PTS
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in Ghana is mandatory. 15PTS
• Good knowledge/Exposure/Experience in financial innovation is preferable. 10 PTS
• Good knowledge/Exposure/Experience in knowledge management for financial inclusion is preferable. 10PTS

As applicable, only applicants scoring 70 points or more shall be considered for an interview.

Step IV: Interview (80 points):

An interview shall be conducted for the top 3 candidates based on their test result.

Step V: Financial Evaluation: Only candidates with scores above 70% of the technical evaluation (70 Points or above) will be considered.

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 scores) 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.