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 product and services respond to the needs of targeted groups. Even when demand-side research is relevant to product and policy development, it is not enough on its own; users and clients will make the shift from cash-based and informal financial services to formal channels if — and only if — it is worth their while. Thus, there is a need to apply and build human-centered design principles and mechanisms that will enable any innovations and product design to be tailored to the needs of key stakeholders.

UNCDF is seeking applications from customer research-focused expert to (i) conduct a training with key partners on HCD principles and how the approach can inform their product development; (ii) assist them in the deployment of the research making sure they apply the principles and collect the right information (iii) conduct a co-creation workshop following the findings of the research and inform their product development to design value propositions that respond to targeted needs (iv) develop a HCD toolkit on inclusive financial service innovation.

UNCDF is looking for a National Expert in human centric design approaches and product design to support the pool of UNCDF partners (up to 8 partners) to conduct a HCD research and inform their value proposition vis à vis of the needs and habits of direct stakeholders, including targeted groups as well as immediate communities and diaspora groups.

The overall objectives of the assignment are:

• To address knowledge gaps of UNCDF partners in terms of the HCD applicable to product design and customer value proposition
• To assist UNCDF partners in rolling out the research and make sure they have the capacity to replicate
• To assist UNCDF partners in applying the findings in their value proposition and capacity building to further refine their product innovation through HCD approaches.
• To inform the ecosystem on best practices in HCD and product design.

• 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, marketing, communication, sociology, social sciences, microfinance or related discipline. Undergraduate degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience is also accepted.

Experience:

• At least three years of demonstrated experience in conducting HCD researches for in the domain of inclusion and innovation with low-income customers and users
• At least three years of experience in the industry in conducting and managing customer research projects on digital products and services
• A minimum of two-year experience designing, conceiving, and prototyping 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
• Good knowledge/Exposure/Experience in financial innovation is preferable
• Good knowledge/Exposure/Experience in knowledge management for financial inclusion is preferable
• Good knowledge/Exposure/Experience of the financial sector in Ghana is preferable

Language requirements:

• Written and spoken proficiency in English is mandatory.

Timeline, total number of working days, duty station:

• Duration : part-time from June to September 30, 2021.
• Duty station : Accra, Ghana.
• Expected places of travel : Ashanti and Western Regions of Ghana. Focus on 10 MMDAs (Adansi South, Offinso North,  Ejura Sekyeredumase, Sekyere Afram Plains, Ahanta West,  Wassa Amenfi East,  Offinso Municipal, Nzema East, Jomoro, Sekyere Kumawu)

Progress Controls & Payments:

• The Expert will report to the  Financial Inclusion 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; and 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 or 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:

• A Master’s Degree is required in economics, public/business administration, marketing, communication, sociology, social sciences, microfinance or related discipline. Undergraduate degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience is also accepted
• At least three years of demonstrated experience in conducting HCD research for in the domain of inclusion and innovation with low-income customers and users
• At least three years of experience in the industry in conducting and managing customer research projects on digital products and services
• A minimum of two-year experience designing, conceiving, and prototyping solutions related use-case drivers (market research, prototype development) is mandatory

Step II: Shortlisting (20%)

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

• At least three years of demonstrated experience in conducting HCD research for in the domain of inclusion and innovation with low-income customers and users
• At least five years of experience in the industry in conducting and managing customer research projects on digital products and services
• A minimum of two-year experience designing, conceiving, and prototyping 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
• Good knowledge/Exposure/Experience in financial innovation is preferable
• Good knowledge/Exposure/Experience in knowledge management for financial inclusion is preferable
• Good knowledge/Exposure/Experience of the financial sector in Ghana is preferable

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

Step IV: Interview (80%):

An interview shall be conducted with the top 3 candidates based on the review of CVs and summary statement of competencies.

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.