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Advertisement for recruitment of a “RNDPS Interoperability Lead” for the implementation of the Rwanda National Digital Payment System (RNDPS)”. |
About Access to Finance Rwanda:
Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) is a Rwandan not for profit company established in 2010 to promote financial inclusion and financial sector development. AFR is currently funded by Sweden, Jersey Overseas Aid, and the MasterCard Foundation.
AFR is part of the broader Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) network in Africa that seeks to create a transformative impact on ending poverty by supporting efforts to improve financial inclusion and financial sector development through helping policy makers, regulators, financial service providers and markets drive a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
AFR supports the removal of systemic barriers that hinder access to and use of financial services by low-income people, particularly the rural poor, women, youth and MSMEs, and supports the development and provision of financial services including savings, credit, insurance, investment, payments, and remittances.
AFR is guided by the Market System Development (MSD) approach recognising that efforts to increase financial inclusion and financial sector development must be market-led, profitable and sustainable. For more details visit our website: (www.afr.rw).
Access to Finance Rwanda seeks a RNDPS Interoperability Lead for its upcoming project ““Supporting the implementation of the Rwanda National Digital Payment System (RNDPS)”.
- About The project RNDPS
The National Payment System Framework and Strategy, whose key objectives are to promote economic growth, a cashless economy, financial inclusion, an enabling environment for innovation and a robust payment system identified the need for a fully interoperable payment system. Such a system would support innovative implementation of affordable and user-friendly services that allow for seamless flow of funds between different customer accounts.
The Rwandan financial sector has made important progress towards interoperability with the development of the Rwanda National Digital Payment System (RNDPS). Implementation of the RNDPS has been guided by the Business Plan for the Rwanda National Digital Payment System (“RNDPS Blueprint”), which was developed with AFR support and agreed to by Rwanda’s financial sector in 2018. After finalizing the blueprint, the industry nominated RSwitch not only as the scheme operator, but also as the scheme manager.
The RNDPS is now at a critical stage of implementation with the launch of the first use case – P2P (Person to Person) transfers closed, and structuring as a public private partnership / public utility. The proposed Phase II of RNDPS implementation focuses on bolstering the scheme in its early stages to ensure the successful scale-up of the P2P use case and roll-out of new use cases including, P2G (Person to Government), P2B (Person to Business), B2P (Business to Person), B2B (Business to Business) and CICO (Cash In Cash Out).
Interoperability is a key supporting function for an efficient and inclusive digital financial system. As an open-loop system, the RNDPS will be accessible to any licensed and approved financial services provider. Despite all the progress that has been made, interoperability in Rwanda is yet to be fully implemented.
The Role and Scope of Responsibilities
The RNDPS Interoperability Lead will be responsible for interoperability technical advisory, project coordination, day-to-day responsibilities for the RNDPS project implementation as well as the Strategic Management. The R-NDPS Interoperability Lead will ensure liaison and harmonisation between RNDPS scheme and technical requirements. Through the implementation of RNDPS scheme, he will also support the following use cases:
- Person to Person (sending money and request to pay)
- Person to Government (collections)
- Person to Business (merchant payments)
- Bulk disbursements (B2P)
- Business to Business payments (B2B)
- Cash-in and Cash-out at off-us agents
Reporting line: The position reports to both RSwitch CEO and AFR DFS & Market Infrastructure Pillar Head.
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Duration of the contract: Two years renewable based on performance.
Expected starting date: June 2023
The RNDPS Interoperability Lead will be responsible for the following key tasks:
- Lead the RNDPS Project Implementation team operating at RSwitch.
- Liase with The Technical Assistance (TA) Firm, Rswitch and other Financial Services Providers (FSPs) resources to update the current implementation plan for the project. This plan should consider the objectives of key stakeholders e.g., National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), FSPs, Rswitch and AFR.
- Work with the TA firm and RSwitch to schedule and coordinate working group meetings with industry representatives, to ensure that meetings are held as needed to advance the project agenda.
- Provide input and validation to the deliverables provided by The TA Firm, as the first quality check before it is shared with other technical working group members, such as scheme rules, pricing proposals, etc… based on their previous experience, to ensure that best practices are maintained.
- Coordinate with FSP representatives in the different working groups to ensure they deliver the tasks according to the plan.
- Provide technical advisory where required during the tenor of RNDPS project implementation.
- Perform stakeholder engagement by meeting with FSP CEOs, industry associations, relevant regulatory bodies, e.g. BNR, to push the project agenda, use cases onboarding process, etc.
- Carry out project risk assessment, cost and schedule control to ensure the project is delivered within expected timelines and budget.
- Report on a regular basis as might be required directly to the Head Digital Financial Services in AFR and to RSwitch. All reports/documents should be produced in English.
Educational Qualifications
- At least a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, Business Administration, Project Management, Computer Engineering and/or related fields.
- Holding an advanced degree (e.g., Masters’, MBA, etc.) and/or a Professional Certificate in Project Management will be an advantage.
Experience and technical skills
Essential
- A minimum of 7 years’ working experience in payment systems.
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of and experience working on digital payment systems.
- Have knowledge and previous exposure to technology platforms for similar digital payment systems.
- Previous experience in facilitating interoperability scheme rules discussions between multiple industry stakeholders. Experience and knowledge of similar regional projects.
- Previous experience in managing payment scheme implementation projects.
- A good understanding of payments regulations
- Experience in emerging technologies.
- Proven record of implementing strategic initiatives, policies, and operational decisions.
- Understanding of the monitoring and results measurement concepts and processes
- Experience working with different stakeholders including regulators, government ministries, public and private sector.
- Executive presence; Strong written and oral communication, including large-group presentations.
- Proven Project management skills with examples of managing country level projects.
Desirable
- Familiarity with major players in financial sector development and payment sector space in Rwanda.
- Familiarity with interoperability project in Rwanda, especially being part or leading the team in charge of interoperability at one of the financial service providers.
- Prior experience working with Market Systems Development (MSD) approaches.
Attitude/ competences
- Strategic thinking and thought leadership.
- Strong drive for results and strong sense of engagement and responsibility.
- Teamwork, interpersonal & relationship-building skills, and ability to lead by influence and example.
- Proven ability to partner, communicate and manage/navigate through multiple disciplines and organizational groups.
- Experience “managing up”, building executive level communications and delivering presentations.
- Ability to work within a complex and often ambiguous environment and ability to influence senior management and other relevant parties.
- Team oriented, collaborative, flexible, and can adapt to a changing environment.
- High degree of professionalism and integrity.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their both combined cover letter and well-detailed CV no later than 02nd May 2023 , 5 PM via the apply button below.
The application should contain a Resume with an e-mail address, daytime telephone contact, qualifications, achievements, experience, and names & addresses of three professional referees together with a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) summarizing why you consider yourself particularly well suited for the position. Do not attach any other documents at this point. All applications will be selected on merit and only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews. For any questions regarding the application process please contact at 0788 300 213.
Note:
- Qualified women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
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