Digital Payment Solutions Consultant

Programme & Policy

Overview

Provide detailed assessments on digital payment solutions in Nepal for WFP.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in information technology, computer studies, or relevant work experience.
• Proficiency in English and Nepali is required.
• At least 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience in digital payment solutions.
• Experience of working in humanitarian aid operations and/or business systems analysis, design and development would be added advantage.

.

Female applicants and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of people affected by disasters, conflict, epidemics/pandemics and more. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. On average, WFP reaches more than 100 million people with food assistance in 83 countries each year. The organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to nutritious food and contribute to the lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

These jobs are found in Headquarters (HQ), Regional Bureaux (RBs) or Country Offices (COs) and job holdersreport to a more senior Programme Policy Officer. Job holders operate with a high degree of independence, manage more junior staff to ensure that programme andpolicy objectives are achieved in full. They are usually involved in a wide variety of programme and policyactivities and analytical work, some of which may be of a considerable complexity. At this level job holders areexpected to contribute to performance improvement.

JOB PURPOSE

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of Head of Programme and direct supervision of Digital Assistance Services (DAS) Consultant and need to work closely with Programme Policy Officer for CBT / SCOPE, Finance, SO 1, SO 3 and SO 4 managers. The incumbent will assess the available digital and other payment solutions in Nepal for cash and voucher assistance including electronic banking, mobile-money, and other solutions, outlining the gaps, coverages, and recommendations for potential WFP cash assistance for different kind of implementations. In addition to this, WFP Nepal is developing its country office digital strategy. The consultant is expected to work as a team and provide necessary support to DAS consultant in consultation and development of the strategy and other necessary assessments

BACKGROUND

WFP Nepal has been implementing its five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2019-2023. It contributes to five Strategic Outcomes (SOs) that are aligned to five Strategic Results of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for Development).

The five Strategic Outcomes (SO) are: SO 1: affected populations in Nepal have timely access to adequate food and nutrition during and in the aftermath of natural disasters and/or other shocks. SO 2: Food Insecure people in targeted areas have improved nutrition throughout the key stages of the life-cycle by 2025. SO 3: Vulnerable communities in remote, food-insecure areas of Nepal have improved food security and resilience to climate and other shocks by 2030. SO 4: The Government of Nepal has strengthened capabilities to provide essential food security services and respond to crises by 2023. SO 5: Government efforts towards achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 are supported by inclusive and coherent policy frameworks across all spheres of government by 2023.

To support achieving Zero Hunger and save lives of people, WFP provides Cash assistance in different modalities – emergency response, development program for livelihoods recovery and resilience building and in recent years forecast based anticipatory action. In addition, WFP Nepal also seeks to access the possibility of voucher Programme in future.

A major challenge for humanitarian actors in implementing cash assistance programs has been the use of banking system for transfers. Multiple factors are likely the cause of this, including lack of general accessibility and availability of banks, literacy as well as financial literacy. Moreover, there are liquidity issues mainly with remittance agents as a hinderance to swift cash transfer. Due to these, WFP is exploring on digital transformation through use of electronic payment modalities available in Nepal, provided by certified Financial Service Providers, such as electronic cash transfer for vulnerable Persons of Concern to WFP for emergency (one-off) and regular monthly cash assistance. The electronic cash transfer will be used for different goods and services including food and non-food items. In general, flood-prone communities are located in remote areas with poor road network and with a limited access to basic services, including telecommunications and banking. Additionally, most of these communities live below poverty level and don’t have access to education. However, increasing usage of digital technology offers opportunities for digital transformations in cash and voucher assistance as well.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

JOB TITLE: Digital Payment Solutions Consultant TYPE OF CONTRACT: National Consultancy UNIT/DIVISION: Programme DUTY STATION (City, Country): Kathmandu, Nepal DURATION: 3 months

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Assess the regulatory framework and appetite (from the Government, Humanitarians and the private sector) for digital payment in Nepal. Review existing policies,as well as gaps related to digital technologies related to electronic banking, mobile cash and voucher transfers, data protection, controls, and risk management.
• Conduct an in-depth assessment of the role of the private sector in promoting digital transformation and explore opportunities for digital platforms for humanitarian service provision such as cash and voucher transfers.
• Review the existing tools, mechanisms being used by other humanitarian organizations.
• Review the entire processes of electronic cash and voucher transfer, starting from registration to verification and cash withdrawal, considering challenges and opportunities.
• Map markets, telecommunication coverage and signal strength, FSPs inclusion (infrastructure, technology).
• Assess mobile phone penetration, financial services use, literacy and digital literacy levels, identity documentation penetration and KYC requirements, service level standards (distance to an agent, error rates on bulk transfers), availability of training products or guidance documents (digital and financial literacy).
• Setup criteria and marking for FSP selection to measure the ability of FSPs to distribute cash-in-emergencies within limited accessibility, availability, capability, and utilization of electronic cash transfer system.
• Provide detailed list and precise location of mobile wallet agents/ Points of Sale devices and shops/ services.
• Recommend suitable means of electronic cash transfers and withdrawal by potential beneficiaries in all kind of Programme implementation – emergency response, recovery and resilience and anticipatory action.
• Prepare Macro IT Assessment (MAITA) report for WFP summarizing the study.
• Share the findings with the relevant stakeholders like Government, UN Agencies, INGOs, Cash Coordination Group etc.
• Provide support to DAS Consultant as necessary by providing relevant information on country specific regulatory frameworks, operational environment, and other socio-economic parameters
• Perform any other durites as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF ASSIGNMENT

↵

Final report with following assessments:

• Full range of payment method opportunities and their coverage including advantages and disadvantages in Nepal as after COVID pandemic digital payments have exponentially increased,
• In-depth assessment on the suitability and feasibility, including coverage, capacity, adaptability and readiness for large scale sudden-onset disaster like floods for transition from existing cash-in-hand to electronic cash transfer approaches through existing global digital technologies,
• Assessments on feasibility for WFP’s humanitarian cash assistance via electronic payment mechanism under 1) one-time monetary transfers (generally provided within 48 hours) or 2) regular (bi-monthly or monthly) monetary transfers,
• Assessments on the status of the electronic payment modalities, taking into consideration the WFP cash assistance and context in which WFP operates,
• Propose recommendations and operational methodology with a view to use electronic payment mechanism to transfer cash assistance to intended beneficiaries in an accountable, timely and secure manner.
• Macro IT Assessment report

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree in information technology, computer studies, or another degree wtih relevant work experience.

Language: Proficiency in English and Nepali is required

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• At least 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience in digital payment solutions, e-commerce and business productivity solutions including banking institutions.
• Experience of working in humanitarian aid operations and/or business systems analysis, design and development would be added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of and hands-on experience in cash-based transfers (CBT) programming in humanitarian contexts; awareness of technologies used in the delivery of cash and vouchers in humanitarian contexts; and training and knowledge of business analysis and project management philosophies and methodologies would be an asset.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
• Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
• Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
• Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
• Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
• Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of food assistance tools. Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher) Demonstrates ability to analyse and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information from different sources (e.g., market studies) to inform transfer modality selection and programme development. Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.) Demonstrates the ability to interpret basic data in the context of WFP specialised fields to contribute to technical programme design, implementation and monitoring. Emergency Programming Displays ability to translate understanding of programme principles in emergencies and protracted conflict situations into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches. Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government Develops thorough recommendations using multiple inputs (e.g., government counsel, research, own experience) to strengthen national or subnational entities and government owned food and nutrition security programmes.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Saturday, 06 November 2021

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: wfp.org