Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management Consultant

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Tuesday 13 Apr 2021 at 23:59 UTC

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Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries. 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. UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: 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. By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 on eradicating poverty and Goal 17 on the means of implementation. UNCDF also contributes to other SDGs by identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access. To achieve these goals, UNCDF is providing financial support and technical expertise to the public and the private sector. It provides capital financing – in the form of grants, soft loans and credit enhancement products – and the technical expertise to unleash sustainable financing at the local level.

The ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ strategy, to move from DF to digital economies builds upon and constitutes a logical integration of UNCDF interventions in financial inclusion and digital, developed over many years. The legacy of UNCDF intervention programmes evolved through a range of country/regional programmes and global thematic initiatives, which has established a solid reputation for UNCDF vis-à-vis donors and peers.

Country Context

Since 2016, UNCDF's programmatic agenda in Bangladesh, has responded to the persisting exclusion of low-income people, especially women, that can limit the potential of individuals and businesses to contribute to and benefit from economic growth. While it started focusing on increasing access and usage of financial services; it has recently evolved (thanks to the promises showed by digital finance) to a more comprehensive strategy anchored in the need of building an inclusive digital economy to enable low-income people, especially women, accessing economic opportunities and reduce poverty. UNCDF’s new Inclusive Digital Economy Strategy (2021-2025) leverages the work we have done in the country since 2016 and expands the use of digital solutions to further tackle the main development challenges of the country.

UNCDF is implementing the following projects in Bangladesh:

The Merchants Development Driving Rural Markets (MDDRM): Supported by the European Union, this is a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector-oriented intervention targeting retail micro-merchants in four northern districts of Bangladesh (i.e. Sherpur, Jamalpur, Tangail and Sirajganj) to develop capacities of the merchants and pilot market based solutions to expand financial inclusion and access to FMCG goods and services through retail merchants, particularly in rural areas in the selected districts. UNCDF is implementing this component in partnership with Dnet, Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity (BDMS). This project will end by 31st March 2021.

The Women's MSME Fintech Innovation Fund launched in 2019 aims to increase access to finance through digital solutions for women-owned, managed or led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). While this is a regional initiative, the first round of the innovation fund is supporting two partners from Bangladesh. The innovation fund is a cross-regional initiative implemented in coordination with UN ESCAP, Government of Canada, and other partners.

In joint implementation with UNDP, UN Women and ILO, UNCDF is developing the Integrated National Financing Framework in Bangladesh supported by Joint SDG Fund, with UNCDF’s activity focus on SDG 7 and Digital Finance Ecosystem. UNCDF’s Inclusive Digital Economy Scorecard (IDES) and Digital Finance Ecosystem (DFS) Assessment (in partnership with UNDP) will also be contribute towards this project achievements. IDES is a strategic performance tool developed by UNCDF with the objective to easily track the level of development of inclusive digital economies at country level. It identifies the key markets constraints hindering the development of inclusive digital economies and helps set the right priorities with public and private stakeholders in each country to foster digital economies that leave no one behind.

In partnership and support from FMO, VISA Worldwide Inc. and UNESCAP, UNCDF will be implementing an Innovation Round around women enterprise resilience and recovery impacted by COVID-19 pandemic and support business models that addresses the issues. In Bangladesh, with support from VISA Inc. the country innovations would be around digital and financial literacy targeting small and micro businesses in partnership with e-commerce platforms.

To support Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and knowledge management activities linked to ongoing and upcoming inclusive and digital finance initiatives in Bangladesh, UNCDF is looking to hire a National Consultant- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Management for its ongoing and new interventions covering private, public sector and donor partnerships.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective

The objective of the assignment is to support implementation M&E and knowledge management activities of UNCDF’s ongoing projects in the country level. As part of the assignment, the candidate will directly support ongoing M&E and knowledge management and look after the closure of the MDDRM component of UNCDF Bangladesh in coordination with consortium partners and private sector innovation pilot implementers. Also, the candidate will support M&E and knowledge management, learning and dissemination activities of UNCDF’s regional initiatives in Bangladesh such as Women's MSME Fintech Innovation Fund, Women’s bond, Build Back Better – Enhancing recovery and resilience of small and micro businesses towards an Inclusive Digital Economy through digital literacy work, Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) for Accelerating Achievement of SDGs (INFF4SDGs) in Bangladesh in coordination with country team in Bangladesh and regional team based in Thailand.

Scope of Work

  • Support overall M&E, reporting and knowledge management activities of MDDRM project and support the closure of the MDDRM project;
  • Support country level M&E and knowledge management activities of ongoing projects in Bangladesh for Women's MSME Fintech Innovation Fund in coordination with UNCDF regional team;
  • Support country level M&E and knowledge management activities of ongoing projects in Bangladesh for Build Back Better through digital literacy work in coordination with UNCDF Bangladesh and regional team;
  • Support design and implementation of M&E strategy and activities for upcoming projects;
  • Support country level M&E and knowledge management activities of Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) for Accelerating Achievement of SDGs (INFF4SDGs) in Bangladesh in coordination with UNCDF Bangladesh and other implementing partners;
  • Support showcasing of results in local, regional and global level through contributing to development of communication materials based on knowledge and lessons learnt from ongoing interventions;
  • Support in the implementation of a learning dissemination plan articulating and aligning communication objectives with different stakeholder audience groups across different digital platforms;
  • Support UNCDF team in resource mobilization through synthesizing knowledge and outcomes of prior interventions at the country level;
  • Coordinate and work with other M&E and knowledge management colleagues in the Asia region and global, to ensure both internal and external stakeholder outreach and learnings.

M&E:

  • Support in regularly updating the M&E dashboard and reporting frameworks for ongoing projects, tracking the project progress as per the annual work plan and ensure reporting on project activities according to the M&E indicators;
  • Support UNCDF team during evaluations of the various initiatives implemented in Bangladesh;
  • Support UNCDF team to capture, document, analyze and report M&E data and indicators in a results-based approach and on time;
  • Support in closing the MDDRM project;
  • Work closely with the project team in the country and M&E colleagues in the regional office in ensuring high-quality monitoring and evaluation of ongoing projects in Bangladesh;
  • Contribute to developing regional and global reports/ periodic updates based on country-level progress reports and data as required;
  • Ensure all reports, documents and data of ongoing projects are periodically and annually captured, from UNCDF partners and business innovation pilot implementing agencies;
  • Coordinate and support in periodic follow-up with implementing partners on reporting requirements as designed in Performance-Based Agreements (PBAs);
  • Support in developing, tracking and updating M&E processes and indicators for private sector-led business innovation model implementation;
  • Directly monitor progress as per indicators and coordinate with private sector implementing partners of innovative business models to collect periodic data and reports;
  • Assist in developing all required systems, tools, reports and indicators, required for efficient, adequate reporting for all projects being implemented in Bangladesh;
  • Support in ensuring timely and accurate submission of monitoring reports and annual donor reports (narrative and financial).

Knowledge Management and Dissemination

  • Capture results and support development of knowledge materials and communication products based on learning of ongoing interventions;
  • Support in development and dissemination of knowledge products produced by the projects with wider stakeholders both in a local and global level through various platforms and channels;
  • Maintain and update a knowledge management depository regularly aligned with M&E plan of projects.

Duration of Assignment, Duty Station and Expected places of Travel

Duration: The assignment will span from May 2021 – December 2021. The contract is expected to start from 1st May 2021.

Duty Station and likely places of travel: The consultant is expected to work with the IDE Bangladesh country team based in UNCDF office in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The assignment may require travel to project districts outside Dhaka where UNCDF's ongoing projects are on implementation.

Travel and Daily Subsistence Allowance

No DSA is payable at the duty station in Dhaka. The individual contractor shall receive a Living Allowance not to exceed the United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate while conducting field visits beyond Dhaka whenever required. Travel requirement would be determined occasionally based on the need of the projects and agreed between UNCDF and the consultant. Travel related arrangements and costs such as air ticket, vehicle, daily subsistence allowance (DSA) will be provided by UNCDF for approved field visits as per requirement. Candidates are not required to quote for travel and daily allowance costs in the financial proposal, quotation of only daily fees is recommended.

Monitoring and Progress Control Supervision and Performance Evaluation:

The Project Officer reviews the performance and approves the deliverables of the Consultant. Based on approval of deliverables by the Project Officer, Regional Digital Technical Specialist, Bangkok will approve the payment.

Consultancy fees are payable upon satisfactory completion of services after submission of timesheets as per the payment schedule.

No.

Deliverables/ Outputs

Approximate % of Payment

Tentative

Deadline

1

Support to design Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and prepare MRM dashboards for at least 3 projects & update the MRM

20%

May 2021

2

Support the execution of final evaluation of MDDRM project component in Bangladesh

15%

June 2021

3

Conduct monitoring field visits in implementation sites and/or conduct or coordinate phone surveys to ensure quality assurance of interventions

15%

July 2021

4

Support the team in creating data dashboards/blogs and other presentation materials based on various research findings and disseminate at knowledge forums and workshops

10%

August 2021

5

Develop and support the implementation of a learning dissemination plan articulating and aligning communication objectives with different stakeholder audience groups across different digital platforms

10%

September 2021

6

Ensure strategic guidance, technical support and coordination of monitoring and evaluation exercises at different levels:

  • Satisfactory completion of monitoring and evaluation requirements at country level
  • Review and feedback on monitoring reports
  • Review and feedback on final reports provided by partners
  • Inputs for annual reports for donors and region

15%

October 2021

7

Manage and regularly update M&E and knowledge management depository of country team with all accepted reports, research products, fact sheets, briefing notes, case studies, other knowledge materials etc.

15%

November 2021

Competencies

  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
  • Openness to change and the ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
  • Excellent presentation and facilitation skills;
  • Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
  • Displays a positive and constructive attitude to work;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Strong knowledge of governance and national human rights mechanism is essential.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Master's in Economics / Development Studies / Business Administration/ Public Policy or similar studies

Experience

  • Minimum 3 years of experience with a background in development projects, financial inclusion, M&E and knowledge management
  • Strong background and working experience on M&E, quantitative and qualitative research methods, knowledge management and dissemination channels and techniques
  • Excellent presentation skills (including working with for example PPT, Prezi, webinar software, excel)
  • Proven functional skills in analytical writing and producing high-quality reports
  • High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multicultural environment

Languages

  • Fluency in English (written and oral)
  • Fluency in Bengali is mandatory

EVALUATION PROCESS / METHODOLOGY

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant up on Cumulative Analysis/evaluation and determined as:

  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and

  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Evaluation Criteria (Total 70 marks):

Step I: Screening / Longlisting

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting.

  • She/he will have a Master's in Economics / Development Studies / Business Administration/ Public Policy or similar studies
  • Minimum 3 years of experience with a background in development projects, financial inclusion, M&E and knowledge management

Step II: Shortlisting by Desk Review

UNCDF will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates by evaluating the following criteria with the corresponding points (100 points)

  • She/he will have a Master's in Economics / Development Studies / Business Administration/ Public Policy or similar studies. (10 points)
  • Minimum 3 years of experience with a background in development projects, financial inclusion, M&E and knowledge management (30 points)
  • Strong background and working experience on M&E, quantitative and qualitative research methods, knowledge management and dissemination channels and techniques. (20 points)
  • Affiliation in the fields of digital financial inclusion innovation (20 points).
  • Excellent presentation skills including working with for example PPT, Prezi, webinar software (10 points)
  • Proven record of at least 3 high-quality reports demonstrating excellent analytical writing skill (10 points)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% mark in technical evaluation (desk review) will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 marks):

All technical qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal.

The top candidate that achieves the highest cumulative score will be recommended for a contract award.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Proposers who shall not submit below mentioned documents will not be considered for further evaluation.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when traveling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org. If the consultant is over 65 years old, UNCDF reserves the right to require full medical certification and clearance from the consultant’s physician prior to commencing the travel.

Both individual consultants and individuals 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 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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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org