Job: TECHNICAL SPECIALIST UNCDF

Location : Vientiane, LAO PDR

Application Deadline : 09-Oct-13

Additional Category Millennium Development Goals

Type of Contract : FTA International

Post Level : P-4

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Nov-2013

Duration of Initial Contract : One year (renewable)

Background

Under the guidance of the Regional Technical Advisor, The International Technical Specialist (ITS) acts as a specialist advising the MAFIPP project.

The ITS works in close collaboration with the Management, Programme, Project and Operations team in the CO, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNCDF RO and HQ staff and Government Officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNCDF programme.

The ITS will report to the UNCDF Senior Regional Technical Advisor on technical aspects of the programme, while advise the BOL Programme Implementation Manager in the introduction and embedding of innovation in the MAFIPP programme, as well as offer technical advice to the responsible parties of MAFIPP for execution of quarterly work-plans.

'Making Access to Finance More Inclusive for Poor People', (MAFIPP) is a programme of the UN Capital Development Fund, nationally implemented by the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) on behalf of the Government of the Lao PDR (GOL). It will contribute to improved and equitable access to land, markets and social and economic services, as well as to an enabled environment for growth with equity. It will specifically increase access to financial services by low-income households and micro-entrepreneurs on a sustainable basis from 30,000 active clients in 2010 to over 140,000 active clients in 2014.

Key focus areas include:

• Support to development of National Financial Inclusion Strategy based on the Making Access to Finance Possible (MAP) sector diagnostic methodology;
• Institutionalising an innovative pooled funding arrangement for sector-based support, initially known as the Fund for Inclusive Finance (FIF). Support the following areas through the FIF;
• Support to MFIs;
• Support to postal-savings network;
• Support to MNO-led or bank-led electronic banking;
• Support to the Microfinance Working Group and the banking Institute to expand capacity of staff and personnel;
• Support to the Bank of Laos to strengthen its capacity to act as a channel for consolidating sector; recommendations and facilitating dialogue among regulators and multiple stakeholders;
• Monitoring of southern market leaders that are being supported to expand supply in Laos.

This is a Development Project funded position

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Support to Management of UNCDF responsible party obligations;
• Provide substantive input on establishing the Fund for Inclusive Finance (FIF) to mediate support to MFIs, postal savings network, electronic and branchless banking, and the MicroFinance working group;
• Provide substantive advice for the technical Support to Institutions Receiving Funds from the FIF;
• Strategic oversight of the Reporting, Accounting, and Auditing.

The key result expected is the successful implementation and attainment of targets of the MAFIPP programme in Lao PDR, including coordination, partnerships and resource mobilization. The Country Technical Advisors will pursue the following key results of the programmes in Lao PDR:

Support to the Management of UNCDF responsible party obligations.

• Follow the Joint Programme Documents (Programme Agreement etc.) as its mandate for the design, preparation and implementation of its work plans;
• Overseeing the administrative services related to planning, organizing, coordinating, of the Programme;
• Facilitate any external evaluation, impact assessment required of the Programme, including financial audits;
• Document the status of the Programme and monitor progress in Programme implementation;
• Provide support to the available staff and consultant with the four key areas With guidance from Management, carry out all activities related to the programme necessary for the successful implementation of the Programme;
• Support the design of a on-the-job mentoring program for all concerned staff positions;
• Implement an accounting and financial management system and prepare quarterly reports, as required, by GOL, BOL, UNCDF and other donors.

Provide substantive input on establishing the Fund for Inclusive Finance (FIF) to mediate support to MFIs, postal savings network, electronic and branchless banking, and the MicroFinance working group:

• Provide input on the developing of an operational manual and establish criteria for monitoring and evaluation of the programme and of the participating institutions;
• Ensure on time FSP quarterly and annual reporting based on UNCDF standard requirements in FSP Performance Based Agreements (PBAs);
• Ensure all FSPs have annually audited financial statements at CGAP standards for audits;
• Provide the quarterly progress reports to BOL for consolidation of overall programme implementation reporting.

Provide substantive advice for the technical Support to Institutions Receiving Funds from the FIF

Building on institutional weaknesses identified as part of the application appraisal process and during execution of investments, provide technical assistance as needed to funded FSPs and business services providers based on their progress against targets to be met in the funding Arrangements.

This could include:

• Coordinating and guiding technical assistance to participating FSPs in areas of personal expertise;
• Helping recipients to identify appropriate (international, regional, local) technical assistance providers for areas outside of areas of personal expertise;
• Substantive input on advising on the strengthening of FSPs;
• Assisting in the organization of information exchange events nationally in conjunction with FSP networks, and/or regionally between participating FSPs and lead FSPs in other countries;
• Identifying learning opportunities to enhance capacity for effective implementation of the programme activities.

Strategic oversight of the reporting, accounting, and auditing:

• With guidance and support from management, prepare quarterly and annual work plan and annual progress reports, in consultation with the MAFIPP programme management and UNCDF Country and Regional Offices, on the overall programme implementation for review by BOL, UNCDF and other donors;
• Assist in compiling a comprehensive programme completion report (supported by data) which would include programme implementation experience, impact on institutions and clients;
• Facilitate the quarterly and annual results-oriented reporting, timely PMC meeting and NIM auditing, mid-term and final programme reviews/evaluations.

Impact of Results

• Timely programme outputs and good human and financial resources management directed at achieving the intended results of the programme;
• At retail level: the extent to which potential leaders of the microfinance industry have received assistance to address key weaknesses (products and services including MIS, internal controls, governance) so they have a solid foundation in order to reach sustainability and considerably increased their outreach within a competitive environment;
• At meso level: the quality and quantity of strategic partnerships built with other donors, equity investors and commercial banks in joint support of an inclusive financial sector;
• FSP support in helping them design and implement financial products as well as use new delivery channels and new institutional models to serve low income and rural clients;
• Constraints removed at macro, meso and retail levels through the provision of well-targeted policy advice and technical assistance: the policy should ensure that sound microfinance principles are disseminated and adopted;
• Strengthen commitment by donor, FSPs, NGOs and other regional and national partners to adopt best practices for grants and loans in order to create inclusive financial sectors.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all persons fairly without favoritism;
• Shows strong corporate commitment;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNCDF and UNDP.

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

• Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the Programme;
• Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time;
• Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
• Responds flexibly & positively to change through active involvement;
• Establishes clear performance goals, standards, & responsibilities; manages them accordingly;
• Promotes a learning environment; facilitates the development of individual and team competencies.

Results-Orientation:

• Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
• Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.

Partnering and Networking:

• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside the Programme;
• Strong networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a range of actors with a view to building relations and facilitating links.

Innovation and Judgment:

• Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate;
• Contributes creative, practical ideas and demonstrates sense of entrepreneurial initiative to deal with challenging situation;
• Strives for quality client-centered services (internal/external) when making decisions and taking action.

Communication:

• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills;
• Sound interpersonal communication skills and teamwork.

Job Knowledge & Expertise:

• Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
• Uses ICT and web-based management systems effectively as a tool and resource;
• Is motivated & demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development & learn.

Nature of Interactions:

• Is motivated & demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development & learn;
• Active and continuous engagement with FSPs to generate viable pro-poor financial services projects which can be supported by the programme;
• Frequent travel to countries to meet with policy makers, regulators and industry actors to promote the programme, identify partnerships and programme support opportunities and to conduct monitoring of projects supported by the programme;
• Build strong working relationships, supported by an effective communications strategy, with members of the donors contributing to the FIF who are also members of the Informal Donor Investment Coordination Group;
• High level substantive engagement with policymakers and regulators, FSPs and Telecommunication companies to identify policy advice and technical assistance needs to address specific constraints and to capitalize on opportunities;
• Build strong networks with international regional and national institutions and programmes involved in financial services research, advocacy and development.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree or higher in finance, economics or Business/Public Administration.

Experience:

• Have a minimum of 7 years relevant, practical working experience within the financial sector and/or microfinance, preferably in least developed countries (LDCs) with at least 3 years demonstrated experience in managing a development programme in the field of microfinance;
• Demonstrated experience with FSP institutional development (product development, internal controls, financial, credit, and human resources management, MIS etc.);
• Substantive technical knowledge and experience in (Micro) finance good practices for industry building, and development of inclusive financial systems and products in emerging markets;
• FSPI management, preferably in an emerging market;
• Strong financial analysis and business project appraisal skills;
• Strong networking capabilities and ability to associate him/herself with a range of actors (including policy makers, regulators, FSPs and TSPs and donors) with a view to building relations and facilitating links
• Strong programme management experience with emphasis on monitoring, evaluation and incorporating lessons learned into microfinance projects and programmes;
• Experience with, knowledge and understanding of the Laos financial sector;
• Excellent computer literacy, including research skills;
• Familiarity with, and understanding of UN/UNCDF rules and procedures;
• Sound understanding of local economic, social, political and cultural context;
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills, including presentation, written and verbal skills.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of the English language, with outstanding written and oral communication skills;
• Understanding of Lao language is an asset.

Note:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload (as a *pdf attachment) the completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx. Completion of all the fields is required.

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UNDP 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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