Job Title Financial Services Consultant Uganda (218740-927)
Organisation Mercy Corps
Country Uganda
City Kampala
Category Consulting
Closing date: 27 Oct 2013
Project Description:
Mercy Corps Uganda in partnership with TechnoServe is implementing a three-year U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded market development program in Lamwo district of Acholi sub- region in northern Uganda. RAIN stimulates economic prosperity and food security in by improving the performance of the agriculture sector. Program strategic objectives include: (1) enhancing smallholder farmer production and profitability; (2) improving agribusiness and trade performance of key input and output markets; and (3) expanding access to rural financial services. RAIN uses a market facilitation approach with a focus on key service markets including inputs, tillage, information, financial services, postharvest handling, and output markets. RAIN seeks to achieve systemic change that results in increased access to and use of financial products and services in underserved Lamwo district. RAIN focuses on market change at the financial institution level (supply) and farmer/agribusiness level (demand) RAIN encourages choice and plurality in financial markets. To address underlying financial market performance constraints (quality, access, skills and training) RAIN will encourage diversity and competition among financial providers as well as delivery methods for financial services. This includes partnering with providers focused on the poor but also in parallel with larger, formal financial institutions and direct actors in the targeted supply chains.
Focusing on several business models provides RAIN the basis for larger-scale and sustainable financial services and products in Lamwo.
Facilitate the physical expansion and increased technical capacity of formal and informal financial institutions, including the use of mobile payments systems.
Introduce new financing mechanisms to expand the range of products and delivery mechanisms available to farmers and agribusinesses (a range of agriculture credit products, VSLA, formal savings and credit products, micro leasing and micro insurance, and e-wallets/mobile payments up and down the supply chain).
Support farmer- and business-level financial understanding and access to new products and technologies (embedded financial and digital literacy services, build credit history).
Support and expand new financing mechanisms between actors within the agricultural market chain (increase financial relationships between buyers and sellers).
The RAIN Financial Access Sector Strategy was finalized in June 2013. Follow up to this, the program is seeking the services of an international consultant to help in the implementation of the key recommendations.
Objectives:
The general purpose of this consultancy work is to assist the program in the implementation of key recommendations by the HQ technical support unit. In the process the consultant is expected to build technical capacity of staff under the department.
Activities:
Specific tasks of the consultancy work include the following.
Conduct rapid operational capacity and product development assessment of RAIN partner Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCO) to inform interventions to improve operational efficiency and financial products and services responsive to demand of Saving Group members.
Conduct SACCOs’ capacity building activities that are informed by the assessments. These may include technical assistance and training, and suggest recommendations for consideration by the program beyond this assignment period.
Work closely with partner financial institutions to improve existing agricultural products and terms, development of new products and services, and delivery models. This will include working with at least one national bank and potentially an MFI.
Develop Segment profiles of market actors. Utilize existing data to develop market segmentation profiles (actor profiles) as a marketing tool for financial institutions to understand the range of current and potential clients. This is also a tool for RAIN to understand which interventions are/are not appropriate or applicable to different segments. Profiles should be created for farmers as well as agro-processors, equipment agents, input/output agents, and input suppliers.
Work closely with financial institutions and mobile network operators (MNO) to develop their strategy and application of technologies in their products and services including mobile technologies for payment services.
Develop M&E tools for capturing outputs, outcomes and impacts of interventions and develop reporting templates for partnering institutions.
Review the existing financial and digital literacy training curricula and the trainings offered by or planned by RAIN financial institutions, market chain actors, and MNOs and work closely for improvement of curricula and delivery methodologies based on based practices/impact research.
Deliverables:
Weekly progress updates to the Chief of Party and monthly updates to Mercy Corps Uganda Country Director.
SACCOs’ Capacity assessment report, recommended training and technical assistance, and reports on the follow up implementation of recommended actions.
Assessment tools for documenting RAIN impact and reporting templates for partner financial institutions.
Formal recommendations and improved content and delivery mechanisms for financial and digital literacy modules and materials used by the partner financial institutions (with clear recommendations for different age groups and literacy/numeracy levels).
End of assignment report with recommendations
Profile of the consultant:
At least 7 years in financial services sector and rural financing with focus on the agriculture sector
Uganda experience preferred.
Experience in financial services including financial literacy programs and product development.
Solid experience in capacity building of lower tier financial institutions
Demonstrated experience in finance in market facilitation programming
Timeframe / Schedule:
This consultancy will be for a period of three months or 66 working days starting in September 2013.
The Consultant will report to: RAIN program Chief of Party
The consultant will work closely:
RAIN program financial services and other component teams, Mercy Corps Uganda Country Director, TSU Financial Services Advisor, Economic and Markets Development Program Manager and RAIN Program Chief of Party.
How to apply:
APPLY VIA URL:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...
