UNITED NATION CHILDREN`S FUND has floated a tender for Consultancy - Digital Technology and Innovation in Humanitarian Cash Transfers. The project location is USA and the tender is closing on 14 Aug 2019. The tender notice number is , while the TOT Ref Number is 35331160. Bidders can have further information about the Tender and can request the complete Tender document by Registering on the site.

Expired Tender

Procurement Summary

Country : USA

Summary : Consultancy - Digital Technology and Innovation in Humanitarian Cash Transfers

Deadline : 14 Aug 2019

Other Information

Notice Type : Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 35331160

Document Ref. No. :

Competition : ICB

Financier : United Nations Secretariat

Purchaser Ownership : -

Tender Value : Refer Document

Purchaser's Detail

Purchaser : UNITED NATION CHILDREN`S FUND
3 United Nations Plaza 44th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues New York, Country code 1 City code 212 Tel: 326.7000 - Switchboard UNICEF House Facsimile: 887.7465 - Primary/ 887.7454 - Secondary
USA
URL :www.unicef.org

Tender Details

Tenders are invited for Consultancy - Digital Technology and Innovation in Humanitarian Cash Transfers (HCT), NY.

UNICEF works in some of the world-s toughest places, to reach the world-s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

In line with the HCT Scale up plan and building on existing UNICEF cash transfer activities, UNICEF seeks an individual to evaluate the existing work done by UNICEF both in innovation space and cash transfers activities in diverse situations, identify the bottlenecks and evaluate where innovative digital financial services, such as cryptocurrencies could offer a solution, all while considering the regulatory environments and risks. The work would focus on a few jurisdictions but develop insights into larger trends.

Based on UNICEF`s global humanitarian assistance strategy and digital strategy, the consultant will work with Treasury and Structured Finance Services, in coordination with other internal stakeholders such as the Office of Innovation, to conduct a series of activities to better understand how the organization can improve the effectiveness and impact of humanitarian cash transfers through the use of distributed ledger technology, including blockchain or any relevant cryptocurrencies in order to have a bigger, faster and more cost-effective impact on the lives of poor people.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will document UNICEF cash transfer modalities and evaluate where there are opportunities for UNICEF to use blockchain or other relevant cryptocurrencies to best position UNICEF for digital payments transformation taking into consideration UNICEF`s global presence.
The individual will apply his/her expertise in digital innovation, the assessment of UNICEF`s existing digital innovation initiatives, information technology, and input from stakeholder interviews to build the case for the recommendations.
The individual will provide 2 design concepts to illustrate the vision reflected in the recommendations.
Recommendations for managing and regulating risks necessary to underpin successful transformation through digital technologies.
It is widely acknowledged that the most effective way to significantly expand unbanked population`s access to formal financial services is through digital means. The consultant is expected to explore digital technologies, including blockchain and other relevant cryptocurrencies, and their potential application to the humanitarian sector along with their use cases and recommendations for implementation.

The five areas of exploration are as follows:

I. STUDY OF NEED AND OPPORTUNITY

Global focus, with a spotlight on two countries (to be recommended by the consultant):

Conduct research/study of major trends in the digital payments and digital innovation space;
Collect and analyze data on the access and use of digital financial services;
Assessment of opportunities, challenges, and risks with payments over digital platforms;
Barriers to wider adoption of digital technology in humanitarian space;
Application of blockchain in humanitarian cash transfer;
Options for payments lists exchange with the financial services providers and related technology/solutions options and comparison of related cost or fee structure; and
Identification and verification options including, technology, cost, pros and cons for adult and children, e.g., token/pin (cards) or NFC options; biometrics - fingerprints, iris, facial, DNA.
REGULATORY
Regulatory environment that governs digital technology, cryptocurrencies and digital humanitarian cash
Digital technology and privacy risks associated with the collection, use, storage, sharing and disposal of beneficiary data
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
Explore cryptocurrencies as a form of payment and considerations for doing so
Application of blockchain in humanitarian cash transfer.
RISK
Risk Management throughout the digital payment food-chain including monitoring and verification mitigating fraud/miss use of funds and ensuring funds are delivered the intended recipients
Explore other risks and mitigation strategies related to using cryptocurrencies in a cash transfer scenario
IDENTIFICATION
Explore how UNICEF addresses digital identity and credential management, and how it could be integrated into other digital platforms, such as distributed applications

Methodology:
The individual will be expected to conduct primary and secondary research for the topics above. Primary research may include field visits, in-person interviews with staff and beneficiaries, ethnographic research and meeting with key UNICEF external partners. Secondary research would include reviewing current literature produced by UNICEF on the topic, as well as external research on cash transfers.

3. Governance

Under UNICEF DFAM - Treasury and Structured Finance Services leadership, an inter-divisional steering committee will review the deliverables of this consultancy. This inter-divisional steering committee will meet on a regular basis.

Expected results: (measurable results) & Delivery Dates
Under the supervision of the above mentioned steering committee, the consultant will be accountable for the following deliverables within the approved timelines:

a) An Inception Report outlining the key activities and a methodology on how the consultant will work with relevant stakeholders, on the performance and completion of this consultancy and its Terms of Reference. The inception report should include up to two suggested focus countries.

b) A Gaps Assessment for in-depth consultations with all relevant stakeholders which will inform the Roadmap;

c) A draft Summary Report and Digital Transformation Roadmap which will be presented to all relevant stakeholders;

d) A finalized and approved Summary Report and Road map which complies with all relevant UNICEF norms and procedures.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION RESULTS

Timelines of submission of deliverables
Quality of the analysis and write up of the deliverable
FREQUENCY OF PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Regular in person/conference calls on the progress of the assignment will be scheduled between UNICEF`s steering committee and the consultant.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

The consultant is expected to have solid skills ranging from developing an Enterprise digital payment strategy, launching, managing and expanding digital partnerships. Thinks outside the box to develop Blue Box strategies for innovative, cutting-edge, disruptive products & experiences in the payments space. Applicants are expected to understand the emerging focus areas and players in the digital innovation. UNICEF analysis of the applicant`s methodology and expertise in the above-mentioned fields constitute a critical component of the application`s technical evaluations.

Required qualifications/skills:
Master`s Degree (or equivalent) in Information technology, humanitarian affairs, international development, social sciences, finance and accounting or others related field and at least 5 years of professional experience in a relevant field;
A first university degree (Bachelor`s) in a relevant field, combined with 7 years of professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
Minimum of 3 years` experience in FinTech and Private Partnerships;
Minimum of 1 years` experience in working with block-chain, distributed ledger technologies and/or cryptocurrencies;
Minimum 1 years` experience in humanitarian cash transfer programming;
Experience in working with UN agencies (UNICEF experience preferred);
Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to produce high-quality materials;
Ability to quickly understand instructions and to proactively seek clarification when needed;
Strong conceptual thinking;
Collaborative spirit able to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures; and
Strong time management skills with an ability to plan, anticipate requirements, problems and obstacles, and to work to tight deadlines.
The consultant must also prove knowledge and implementation experience in one or more of the following subjects:
Cryptocurrencies
Blockchain and/or distributed ledger technology
Experts in the digitization of payments across geographic areas
Digital finance
Digitization of humanitarian assistance payments
Digital identity
E-KYC
Regulation of digital financial services
Financial inclusion policy
Financial literacy and training for digital payments and financial services
Gender and digital financial inclusion
Keeping money digital (digital ecosystems development)
Innovation and digital platforms
Payments systems and infrastructure
Candidates must be US-Based.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

In addition

Please share a CV that shows you are qualified for this work and propose a daily fee rate or a lump sum.
Duration: The consultancy is expected to start on 16 September 2019 and end on 31 May 2020.
Prior to commencing the contract, the individual will be required to sign a Health Statement for Consultants/Individual Contractors, and to document that he/she has appropriate health insurance, if applicable.
For every Child**, you demonstrate…**

Our core values are Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability. To view our competency framework, please clickhere. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant-s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4. **

How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=525255

Documents

 Tender Notice