TERMS OF REFERENCE. For a Bi-lingual Local Project Coordinator. To support stakeholder engagement and research on financial inclusion in Benin

Transcription

1 TERMS OF REFERENCE For a Bi-lingual Local Project Coordinator To support stakeholder engagement and research on financial inclusion in Benin MAP and FinScope Consumer Survey Benin 2017 RFP ID: MAP BENIN_2017 FEBRUARY 2017

2 FinMark Trust invites applications from bilingual (English and French) individuals with relevant financial sector experience and project management expertise to support stakeholder engagement and research on financial inclusion in the Republic of Benin (MAP Benin 2017). The scope of work is provided in the following terms of reference. 1. Introduction and background FinMark Trust (FMT) is an independent trust whose purpose it is to make financial markets work for the poor by promoting financial inclusion and regional financial integration. FinMark Trust does this by conducting research to identify the systemic constraints that prevent financial markets from reaching out to these consumers and by advocating for change on the basis of research findings. Thus, FinMark Trust has a catalytic role, driven by its purpose to start processes of change that ultimately lead to the development of inclusive financial systems that can benefit all consumers. In order to fulfill its objectives, FinMark Trust has partnered with UNCDF on the Making Access Possible (MAP) programme to enhance financial inclusion. Making Access to Financial Services Possible is a multi-country initiative to support financial inclusion through a process of evidence-based country analysis. It incorporates a comprehensive analysis of the demand, supply and regulatory environments, in order to identify key barriers and opportunities to increased financial inclusion across savings, credit, payments and insurance. Through its particular emphasis on stakeholder engagement and participation, MAP seeks to align a broad range of stakeholders from within government, private sector and the donor community on a national financial inclusion roadmap and action plan. The FinScope Consumer Survey is a critical part of the MAP process. It is a nationally representative survey of how individuals source their income, and how they manage their financial lives. It also provides insight into attitudes and perceptions regarding financial products and services. To date, FinScope Surveys have been conducted in 28 countries. Further details on these surveys are available from or on request. 2. MAP and FinScope Survey objectives Through its design, MAP seeks to provide the following benefits in strengthening financial inclusion in Benin: MAP is a closely integrated combination of research and process design that is tailored to trigger practical actions to extend financial inclusion MAP seeks to identify opportunities to expand financial inclusion and the obstacles to doing so MAP provides an integrated view of financial services covering demand, supply and regulation across all product areas MAP places the demand-side perspective at the core of the analysis and utilises the FinScope survey methodology as well as qualitative demand-side research to provide an informed demand-side perspective MAP is focused on improving welfare through financial services that offer value to consumers and not just extending the coverage of financial products. 2

3 The key objective of FinScope is to measure and profile levels of access to and use of financial services by all adults (18 years or older), across income ranges and other demographics, and making this information available for use by key stakeholders such as policy-makers, regulators, financial service providers and donors. The information provided by this survey will help extend the reach of financial services in Benin as it provides an understanding of the Benin adult population in terms of: Their livelihoods and how they generate their income Their financial needs and/or demands To assess levels of financial inclusion (formal and informal) and provide an overview of the types of financial products (formal and informal, credit, savings, etc.) Their financial perceptions, attitudes and behaviours Their demographic and geographical distribution The obstacles they face and the factors that would have an influence on their financial situations Current levels of access to, and utilisation of, financial services and products (formal and/or informal) The landscape of access (i.e. types of products used in terms of transactions, savings, credit, insurance and remittances) Drivers of financial products and service utilisation Barriers to, utilisation of, and access to, financial products and services As such, the main objectives of the FinScope Benin 2017 survey are: To measure the levels of financial inclusion (i.e. the proportion of the population using financial products and services both formal and informal) To determine the needs for financial products, as well as the gap between need and: Financial products (formal and informal) available, and Financial product usage (formal and informal) To describe the landscape of access (i.e. the type of products and services used by financially included individuals) To identify the drivers of, and barriers to the usage of financial products and services To provide an assessment of whether the current financial policy and regulatory environment creates a conducive environment for financial inclusion To provide baseline information through which the impact of interventions to enhance access could be assessed by means of follow-up surveys To stimulate evidence-based dialogue that will ultimately lead to effective public and private sector interventions that will increase and deepen financial inclusion strategies 3. Detailed Scope of work and role of the MAP and FinScope Benin 2017 Local Project Coordinator The primary responsibility of the project coordinator is to ensure that effective stakeholder management around the FinScope survey and all MAP related processes running smoothly at all times. The Local Project Coordinator 3

4 (LPC) will work closely with FinMark Trust, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who will act as implementing agency for the project and who will provide technical assistance and oversight throughout the implementation of the FinScope survey. The Local Project Coordinator will also collaborate with the MAP regional team based in Dakar, Senegal, to ensure a smooth running of the entire process from the FinScope to the buy-in of the MAP roadmap. The Local Project Coordinator will be contracted by FinMark Trust and will report to FinMark Trust Research Manager in charge of the project. As such, the Local Project Coordinator will have the following duties and responsibilities: a) Report to FinMark Trust on a regular basis b) Report on MAP activities where required (FMT, MAP Regional team) c) Conduct local stakeholder analysis to identify all the key stakeholders that need to participate in both the MAP and FinScope processes. Initial FinScope stakeholder engagements have already started. d) Ensure effective involvement and management of the stakeholders throughout the entire process to ensure the smooth implementation of the exercise. e) Facilitate external supply side consultant and national diagnostic team involvement in the country and assist with identifying and securing meetings with key local informants f) Support the technical team to develop MAP roadmap and action plans from the MAP diagnostic g) Enable buy-in of the MAP roadmap at country level h) Support the development and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework for roadmap priorities i) Facilitate donors coordination and engagement around the MAP process j) Support MAP fund raising; k) Facilitate country missions by external MAP partners where required l) Arrange and participate in all technical meetings and follow up on all tasks identified m) Put in place and implement in liaison with the MAP regional team an effective MAP project management tool to ensure effective implementation and monitoring n) The Local Project Coordinator serves as FinMark Trust s focal point on the MAP and FinScope Consumer Survey Benin 2017 with government officials, line ministries, National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis (INSAE), the private sector, the donors community and other participating stakeholders (e.g. Steering Committee Members), and as such build support for the process among all relevant stakeholders o) Support the Research Manager in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the FinScope Study and all related activities, including (but not limited to) the following: Familiarise him/herself with regard to the management arrangements in terms of the implementation of the FinScope study. A key responsibility of the local Project Coordinator would be to liaise with all implementation role players at all times, ensure communication between FinMark Trust and other role players, keeping all role players informed with regard to 4

5 implementation progress, deviations from timelines and reasons for these, as well as key concerns and constraints during implementation. The Local Project Coordinator should convene meetings of relevant role players as needed. Provide input with regard to the customisation of the FinScope Benin 2017 survey questionnaire and to elicit issues that the questionnaire does not address sufficiently by: Familiarising her/himself with the approach of the FinScope Study and the core of the FinScope survey questionnaire Conducting desktop research reviewing existing material (e.g. prior surveys and attempts to measure financial inclusion in Benin) = produce a brief literature review report Work closely with the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and any other Steering Committee members during the implementation of the FinScope Consumer Survey Benin 2017 fieldwork. The Local Project Coordinator should keep FinMark Trust informed with regard to fieldwork progress, as well as delivery in terms of timelines. Ensure that a full quality protocol is in place prior to the commencement of fieldwork and that this protocol is signed off with FinMark Trust. The Local Project Coordinator will further be responsible to ensure that the quality control protocol is adhered to during the implementation of fieldwork and data capture. Close monitoring of the fieldwork process through liaison with INSAE in the field, random checking of interviewers, spot-checking of completed questionnaires (reviewing these for accuracy and completeness). Regular reporting to the Research Manager in this regard is required. Participate in dissemination activities as agreed with FinMark Trust. p) Coordinate and participate in (if required) project related technical meetings (such as Steering Committee Meetings) and ensuring follow-up on implementation of recommendations and agreements q) Assist in the planning and organisation of meetings and workshops, including all logistical arrangements (hotel bookings, transport, etc.) in Benin r) Ensure that the results of the survey are officially approved by the government of Benin s) Assist in organising the official launch of the survey and secure the availability of the Minister in charge of Microfinance or his/her representative to make the keynote statement. t) Provide translations French to English or English to French at events as and when required and of documents related to the study. u) Perform any other duties to support the effective and efficient implementation of the FinScope Consumer Survey Benin 2017 as required and provide overall support to the MAP regional team for all other MAP activities. 4. Timeline The anticipated timing of the project is 12 months. It is expected to take place during the period March 2017 to March 2018 and will require approximately 240 effective days of time commitment from the Local Project 5

6 Coordinator/s during this period. Depending on the progress, the timelines can slightly be extended but FinMark Trust would prefer the different MAP activities be implemented within the timelines that will be agreed with the stakeholders. The LPC is required to keep a detailed timesheet on how the time is allocated to different milestones. 5. Budget The applicant should provide a detailed costing for the scope of work and deliverables described above. Costs should be broken down into professional fees and other expenses. 6. Required skills and qualifications Applications from interested individuals must provide evidence of the technical capacity to undertake this exercise. This includes capacity to deliver the results in the timeframe provided, as well as some indication of prior experience in coordinating large projects and supporting stakeholder engagement within the financial services sector. Individuals /core team members CVs must be included, as well as a description of any further resources that may be required. The portfolio and past experience in the financial services industry must be included. Required skills / qualifications include the following: College or University degree in Economics, Social Science, Public Administration, International Development, or other relevant field A minimum of four years of relevant experience Experience in project management is required with an excellent understanding of the Benin financial system Excellent computer literacy, including research and report writing skills Personal commitment, efficiency and flexibility, teamwork spirit with the ability to work independently or under minimum supervision Excellent communication, written and verbal skills both in English and in French are essential. 7. Selection criteria Contract selection criteria and award will be made on the basis of the following scoring mechanism: Criteria Weighting 1 Competence and previous experience 35% 2 Knowledge of Benin s financial services market 30% 3 Local capacity (Benin) 10% 4 Budget 25% Maximum score 100% 6

7 8. Submission Applications should be addressed to Mr. Obert Maposa, FinMark Trust, Block J East Upper level, Central Park, th Road, Randjiespark, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. The deadline is 17h00 (South Africa time) on Friday, 3 March Applicants should provide electronic versions of all documentation. Electronic submissions should be sent to obertm@finmark.org.za The selected coordinator must be prepared to meet with FinMark Trust on a date to be announced, for a briefing. Once the selection process has been completed, FinMark Trust will issue a contract confirming the appointment of the Local Project Coordinator. Any queries relating to the preparation of the application should be referred to Mr. Obert Maposa by obertm@finmark.org.za or Dr. Kingstone Mutsonziwa, kingstonem@finmark.org.za In line with FMT s policy of transparency, answers to queries from one candidate will be circulated to all who indicated their intention to submit a proposal. 9. Important to note If no communication has been received from FinMark Trust after 1 month of your submission, please consider yourself as unsuccessful. -END- 7