Back DFS Innovation Analyst - Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme builds on the Government of Bangladesh’s efforts to introduce a citizen-centric culture of innovation in civil service to improve service delivery and make services more inclusive, affordable, reliable and easier to access. This project will provide support to establish institutional mechanisms and improve accountability to accelerate SDG achievements in Bangladesh.

This project will have three components:

1.   Institutionalizing Public Service Innovation and Improving Accountability

2.   Catalyzing Digital Financial Services and Fintech Innovations

3.   Incubating Private Sector-enabled Public Service Innovation

 The growing fintech ecosystem is seen as a strong contributor to driving innovation in the financial sector. To enact the full potential of the ecosystem, there is need for collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure that new and innovative products are developed, given a chance to pilot and can achieve scale and sustainability. One of the main constraints for start-ups to go to market and scale is with navigating the policy and regulatory requirements. ‘Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme’ is going to recruit a DFS Innovation Analyst with strong expertise in policy, innovation and regulation to support the Fintech innovation in Bangladesh. The incumbent will work with donors, govt. agencies and other related stakeholders to set up the innovation lab to foster the fintech. Innovation for leapfrogging the usages the DFS by different segment of customers.

The project is funded by the Government of Bangladesh, UNDP and other development partners, and is implemented by ICT Division and Cabinet Division

Under the direct supervision of DFS specialist the incumbent will perform below mentioned duties and responsibilities.

•  Coordinate with partners to finalize the management arrangement, operational guideline and other operational and partnership documents of the lab.
• Monitor and coordinate day to day activities of the lab and report higher management as required.
• Ensure regular communication and discussion with steering committee & advisory board for necessary guidance;
• Ensure regular meeting of advisory committee and implementation of the decision.
• Liaison with lab partners for the implementation of planned activities of the lab.
• Assist team to establish new partnership and donor for lab sustainability & future expansion.

• Coordinate with partners to arrange innovation challenge/cohort to facilitate new ideas and innovations from lab.
• Communicate with various financial institutions/research institutions for acquiring new financial product or services ideas which will promote environment friendly businesses;
• Identify and support digital financial innovations that augment the delivery to low-income households in respective areas like of health, agriculture, and MSME
• Assist to design new financial products or services for different type of customer and different sector.
• Arrange necessary mentors and technical advisor for startups and innovators for acceleration program.

• Help each FinTech engage (separately and, where possible, as a group) the relevant regulators to help understand relevant products/services and solicit guidance or feedback needed on likely compliance requirements.
• Enable communication between regulators and industry on successes/failures, encouraging feedback from regulators and enabling product iteration
• Support regulators to coordinate and liaison with industry representatives and innovation hubs as needed.

• Arrange necessary mentorship session/coaching for the innovators/startups with the support from lab partners
• Arrange testing facility of the selected product under the observation/supervision of regulators if possible, relevant, and needed.
• Communication of the testing of the product to relevant stakeholders
• Review/Summarize existing regulatory guidance, criteria and standards of practice expected for live testing of new models in Bangladesh market
• Enable lessons from implementation to inform future iterations of regulatory engagement and product testing.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Share’s knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Leadership and Self-Management

• Highly organized with a keen eye for detail
• Ability to multi-task under tight deadlines
• Ability to think quickly and improvise when necessary
• Creative self-starter with an ability to work independently and also as an integral part of a team to deliver results
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexity

Education:

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Development Studies, International Development, Economics or any other relevant field.

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• At least 3 years’ experience in working in the Banking/Financial service providers/ UN organizations.
• Experience in working with projects related to digital financial services
• Experience in strategy development, innovation, DFS product design, research/publication is preferable. 
• Experience in working with any innovation hub/initiatives
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Bangla

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Contract Duration: Initially for 1 year with possibility of extension based on performance and availability of fund