Job Purpose and Organizational Context.
The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries (LDCs). 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. This last mile is where available resources for development are scarcest; where market failures are most pronounced; and where benefits from national growth tend to leave people excluded.
UNCDF’s financing models work through three channels: (1) inclusive digital economies, which connects individuals, households, and small businesses with financial eco-systems that catalyze participation in the local economy, and provide tools to climb out of poverty and manage financial lives; (2) local development finance, which capacitates localities through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance to drive local economic expansion and sustainable development; and (3) investment finance, which provides catalytic financial structuring, de-risking, and capital deployment to drive SDG impact and domestic resource mobilization.
By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty with a focus on reaching the last mile and addressing exclusion and inequalities of access. At the same time, UNCDF deploys its capital finance mandate in line with SDG 17 on the means of implementation, to unlock public and private finance for the poor at the local level. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs and currently to 28 of 169 targets.
UNCDF in Rwanda:
UNCDF Rwanda is implementing its five-year strategy of Inclusive Digital Economies with a vision of a “Rwandan Inclusive Digital Economy that leaves no one behind”. The strategy aims to increase the number of active users of digital finance services to 60% of the adult population in Rwanda and enable at least 150,000 rural people in Rwanda to lead productive and healthy lives, by expanding access to and usage of digital services (including finance) that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
This is achieved through an iterative testing approach, a range of service providers test and implement financial-services, digital and non-digital, that are accessible, affordable and relevant to Rwandan customers with support to policy makers and regulators to increase capacity to create an enabling environment that proactively supports Rwanda’s aspiration to achieve a cashless economy by 2024.
UNCDF is currently implementing a number of projects and developing others to facilitate the achievements of its digital strategy namely:
Expanding Access to Finance for Refugees and Host Communities in Rwanda programme, UNCDF Rwanda is championing the provision of appropriate and sustainable formal and informal financial services complemented with digital and financial literacy for refugees and host communities. Informal financial services will be delivered through the creation and strengthening of savings groups whereas formal financial services will be delivered through partnerships established with financial services providers (FSPs) and mobile network operators (MNOs) invested in reaching unbanked populations in refugee camps and surrounding rural areas.
Because participation in savings groups and usage of mobile financial services can have a clear and direct impact on livelihoods, economic growth, and inclusive social and economic development, UNCDF supports these interventions, along with the necessary financial and digital literacy to use them, in and around the refugee camps in Rwanda, benefiting both the refugee and host communities, with a focus on women and youth.
FinTech Innovation and Regulation: UNCDF conducted a fintech landscape analysis in order to create a centralized repository of information of fintech companies operating in Rwanda. It facilitated a workshop with stakeholders from private sector, public sector and non-government organizations (NGOs) in order to share these findings and crowdsource ideas on potential recommendations and prioritize interventions. The priority that resonated with most participants was to create a fintech-focused incubator or a fintech hub to foster innovation and develop solutions to shape the future of the fintech landscape in Rwanda.
With that background UNCDF in partnership with MINICT & Innovation, ICT Chamber and KIC facilitated the establishment of a virtual fintech incubation hub to accelerate promising fintech companies by resolving their specific talent, demand/market access, capital needs as well as helping them navigate the legal and regulatory framework.
The key mandates for the hub will be to:
- Support fintech companies to be investment ready and link them to the right investors;
- Accelerate product development;
- Develop finance domain expertise relevant for product development and market access; and
- Advocate and facilitate engagements between fintech start-ups and regulators.
The hub will support the development and testing of innovations which aims to result in an increase of 100,000 active DFS users, with a focus on FDPs, women and youth. Research and advocacy will also contribute to beneficial changes in policy where necessary.
About the Position:
Reporting to the Regional Digital Hub Manager, P5 (East and Southern Africa, based in Uganda), the Rwanda based Programme Specialist, NOC role is responsible for the effective implementation, coordination and management of UNCDF’s Inclusive Digital Economies strategy in Rwanda by ensuring quality programme design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
S/he guides and facilitates the delivery of UNCDF’s programmes by ensuring effective and timely implementation, monitoring results and applying appropriate systems and procedures as well as modifications as necessary. S/he manages the programme and operations team and works closely with UNCDF IDE & HQ staff and Teams, other One UN Rwanda participating agencies, government officials and ministries, multi- and bi-lateral donors and civil society organizations ensuring successful UNCDF programme. The Programme Specialist, Rwanda will also develop strong relations with prospective donors and lead fundraising efforts to implement the full Rwanda country strategy on digital inclusion.
This is a local fixed-term recruitment, as per UNDP Recruitment rules and framework.
- Annually update UNCDF’s country strategy, develop detailed annual work plans and budgets.
- Develop a multi-year roadmap to support digital transformation in Rwanda. Identify priorities, partners and results that will support the country strategy.
- Develop strong relationships and ensure buy-in from stakeholders in relevant sectors (digital, finance, agriculture, health, education etc.)
- Ensure UNCDF is represented at key UN agency, development partner and government meetings.
- Identify and select implementing partners.
- Ensure proper planning, staffing and contracting for project to achieve proposed results.
- Manage and empower a local team of staff and consultants
- Manage operational and administrative responsibilities.
Provide Strategic Policy advice and technical assistance to the Key Stakeholders
- Facilitate relationship-building with key government ministries/officials to gain support for UNCDF’s programme in Rwanda;
- Leverage UNCDF’s Inclusive Digital Scorecard (IDES) as a national tool to measure and track the development of an inclusive digital economy in Rwanda.
- Collaborate with key partners and stakeholders including other UN agencies on the research, development and implementation of innovative, cutting-edge projects and approaches to sharpen delivery of leaving no one behind in the digital era in Rwanda, with attention to refugee, women, youth and MSMEs
- Lead the project delivery and achievement of objectives by working with implementing partners, including supporting their project-related activities;
- Ensure effective coordination between the implementing and other development partners, and that all stakeholders are communicating with each other to enhance synergies;
Lead and manage Resource Mobilization & Partnerships strategy and planning process at the country level
- Lead the development and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy for UNCDF’s digital strategy “Leave no one behind in the digital era” at the country leve.
- Work to establish and strengthen partnerships with other UN agencies, NGOs, CBOs, FSPs/MNOs, donors and relevant government bodies;
- Raise funds to fully implement UNCDF Rwanda’s strategy;
- Identify in-country development partners who can support UNCDF Rwanda’s strategy;
- Monitor global opportunities that UNCDF Rwanda can respond to;
- Conceptualize and develop programmes that support the realization of UNCDF’s strategy in Rwanda and align with government strategies;
- Seek opportunities to coordinate and co-fund projects with other funders/partners complementing other ongoing initiatives.
Develop and Coordinate Monitoring and Reporting Process for the Country Programme, in coordination with the other programme colleagues
- Develop and monitor country results. Work closely with the Results Measurements team to ensure on-time and accurate reporting of results.
- Ensure implementing partners produce reliable and timely data to produce donor and global reports;
- Provide input for UNCDF global reporting and business plan needs.
- Measure project targets and progress, including social and gender dimensions.
- Ensure quality project progress reports for donors are produced on a timely basis;
- Ensure there is a system for tracking programme key performance indicators (KPIs);
- Report into UN infosystem database on project progress;
- Attend monthly UN meetings to stay up-to-date on UN policies for monitoring and reporting across UN Agencies;
Facilitate and Promote Knowledge Sharing and Networking
- Develop and implement communication strategy at the country level;
- Raise visibility of UNCDF’s work in country.
- Organize workshops and knowledge sharing events for the wider inclusive-finance community;
- Organize learning event/s on Inclusive Digital Economies
- Contribute to the creation and sharing of lessons learned and good practices gleaned from the implementation of the project;
- Attend industry events and workshops representing UNCDF Rwanda
Competencies and Selection Criteria
Core
Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers
People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others
Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others
Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions.
Technical/Functional
Programme Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise.
Communication:Ability to effectively communicate intensions and requirements to internal and external stakeholders
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise.
Collaboration and Partnership:Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support. Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNCDF.
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise.
Recruitment Qualifications.
Education:
- Master’s degree in development economics, finance, public/business administration or related field.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in economic development programming, financial inclusion, digital/mobile financial services, digital innovation and/or banking is mandatory, out of which at least 3 years of previous work experience in Rwanda is required.
- Experience working on financial inclusion of vulnerable groups: refugees, women, youth is an added advantage.
- Prior experience working with or in a UN Agencies and/or International Organizations is preferred.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is required;
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