Country: Somalia
Closing date: 02 Jun 2017
1.BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than 30 countries throughout the world. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and its sister organization DDG has been providing relief, humanitarian community safety, and early recovery/development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief. Danish Demining Group (DDG) aims to recreate a safe environment where people can live without the threat of landmines, unexploded ordinances and small arms and light weapons. These goals can be effectively advanced through cooperation and joint action with other organization as well as with integration of operations and programs with its sister organization, the DRC.
In Somalia, DRC is providing relief and development services using a human rights framework, aiming at supporting IDPs, returnees and host communities affected by conflict and natural disasters. Currently, the main sectoral programs include; Food Security and Livelihoods; NFI/Shelter; WASH and Infrastructure; Protection and Advocacy; Community-Driven Recovery and Safety; as well as rapid emergency response on a case-by-case basis. DRC HoA & Yemen 2016 Strategic Program Document is aimed at ensuring synergy and complementarity of all humanitarian interventions in the region.
2.PURPOSE
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a mobile money platform through which youth and women groups and individuals in Somalia receiving support from humanitarian and development programs can safely and conveniently receive financial entitlements and manage credit within such programs. Furthermore such applications or platforms will be used to manage grants provided to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) electronically. The system should enable beneficiaries/clients to apply for credit using their mobile phones and as well receive credit or grant entitlements on their mobile phones. The system once developed should provide means for monitoring credit repayment and default and generate real-time reports on credit status. Such a system is expected to contribute to efficient and accountable means of providing support in livelihoods programs targeting vulnerable groups and especially youth and women.
Service providers managing the system should also demonstrate the ability to work and build capacities of beneficiaries in managing their business ventures through training packages and modules on business management and through customer care services (including through electronic support).
3. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1Scope of consultancy
The Consultants must be available to commence this project on 7th June 2017. The total duration for this assignment is 20 days and the location for the project is Somalia.
3.2 Key tasks with list of key activities, under each responsibility.
The service provider should be able to provide:
- Android based mobile (or other commonly available and popular technological) applications where authorized users can login and apply for credit and receive payments/entitlements. Payment integration should be incorporated in such a way that the grant or credit amount can directly be loaded into user’s mobile money account.
- Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) – SIM-based application running on mobile network where users can login, apply for credit and repay the same.
- Web Application: Secure web application which can maintain user information and entire entitlements (grants and credit) management system
- Capacity Building: Train the grant beneficiary on business management soft skills and customer care services. Service provider will be required to develop informational business development materials that can be accessed on real-time basis on mobile telephony.
- Provide reports on all beneficiaries reached and performance of all services rendered through the system. The developed system will monitor and disaggregate the number and amounts of grants and loans disbursed, measure the performance of credit products.
- A system that is flexible to continuously integrate and accommodate the automation of existing and new financial products that empower the livelihoods of youth and women.
- Recommendations on ways and means of addressing emerging challenges as encountered by the system.
- Aggregation of data/information based on individual projects/donors. The service provider should also document lessons, possible solutions periodically and share these with DRC.
- Data integrity and security standards that safeguard privacy of beneficiaries, protect data diversion, mitigate misuse or corruption of system information on behalf of DRC and guarantee sufficient back up measures.
4.METHODOLOGY
Given the background and scope of the assignment, the successful consultant would define appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies in system development and data management as well as developing tools which address the key components of this assignment. Experience from similar projects/tasks will be considered and vetted on its appropriateness to this task.
5.EXPECTED OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES
Key deliverables/outputs
- Mobile Money Applications: (Both mobile application and USSD application)
- Users can access unconditional and conditional financial entitlements
- User can apply for and access credit products,
- User can make payment through the platforms/applications,
- User can check past history in access and use of products offered,
- User can update personal information which will be reflected at web end and Admin will also get notify about it.
- User can set personalized reminders via mobile phone.
2.Credit/Entitlements management system (Backend)
- Credit management
- Service provider can set individual or mass reminders
- Credit products dashboard, wallets, credit products portfolio, payment status/es, total number of clients, active clients, blocked clients, deactivated clients
- Generate periodic reports
- Roles management
- Employee /Users management (rights)
- Payment gateway integration
3.Comprehensive capacity building plan for SME/VSLA beneficiaries
- On-site training for clients/beneficiaries.
- Mobile phone based training and information packages and bulletins on financial and business management literacy.
6. EXPECTED PROFILE OF CONSULTANT
The following key competencies are required:
- Knowledge of financial products in the context of the operations of humanitarian and development actors
- Knowledge of and experience in development of loan management systems and products
- Excellent practical and theoretical understanding of SME
- Good knowledge of livelihood interventions
- Ability to develop training products and conduct quality training for aid recipients, staff and stakeholders.
- Experience/Acquaintance with the context of Somalia,
- Knowledge of and experience of working with civil society actors in Somalia
- Sensitivity and knowledge of gender issues
- Strong quantitative and data analysis skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Ability to plan tasks to meet tight deadlines
- Demonstrated experience in software development especially mobile money applications.
- Familiarity with community-based and participatory approaches to project development;
- Excellent team worker.
- Analytical and trouble shooting skills.
- Attention to detail
- Flexible, self-motivating, and able to solve unexpected problems
- Advance degree within a social science and IT or equivalent
- Flexible, self-motivating, and able to solve unexpected problems
7. CONDITIONS
The Consultant should adhere to the DRC coordinated security guidelines. On the same breadth, DRC does not guarantee security of the consultants and it will therefore not be liable for any eventuality. Nevertheless, any relevant security updates will be shared with the consultant when necessary.
- The Consultant must complete work within the stipulated time frame
- The Consultant must operate within the budget allocated.
- The Consultant must adhere to and sign DRC’s Code of Conduct
- The Consultant’s financial offer should be inclusive of all associated costs.
- For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit www.drc.dk .
8. REPORTING LINES
The Consultants will work under the overall guidance of Livelihood Technical Manager and in close coordination with Project Manager and ICT Specialist.
For the duration of the contract, the consultants will provide progress report every end of the week to Livelihood Technical and Grant Manager.
Progress reports will consist of:
- Progress with achievement of each deliverable.
- Delays experienced and reasons for the delays.
- Any questions or challenges and solutions to these challenges.
- Specific actions or involvement required from DRC
9. TERMS & CONDITIONS
The consultant should be willing to work in Somalia, where security allows. The consultant may have his/her own team to work with and then, they will entirely be under the jurisdiction of the consultant and at no time will DRC/DDG be held responsible for them.
10.GENERAL
Commitments: DRC/DDG has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.DRC/DDG.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)
How to apply:
Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit an expression of interest including:
i. CV with details of qualifications, experience and names of three professional referees.
ii. Technical proposal that summarizes understanding of the TOR, methodology and tools to be used.
iii. Work-plan clearly indicating the activity schedule.
iv. Financial proposal providing cost estimates and consultancy fees.
v. References of similar work, or documented evidence from other similar assignments
10.POSTING DETAILS
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications and requirements are encouraged to apply. Applicants should send their CVs with one page cover letter to drcjobs@drcsomalia.org. Please indicate “Local Consultancy for Developing Mobile Solutions for Diversified Humanitarian Financial Services in Somalia” as the subject heading.
The deadline for applications is 2nd June 2017.**
ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the written test and interview.