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.
Office/Unit/Project Description
UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries (LDCs). It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to inclusive finance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia and the Pacific, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It can provide seed capital both grants and loans as well as technical support that will improve poor peoples’ lives.
UNCDF works to enlarge peoples’ choices: it believes that poor people and communities should take decisions about their own development. UNCDF works in challenging environments – remote rural areas, countries emerging from conflict – and paves the way for others to follow. Its programmes are designed to catalyze larger investment flows from the private sector, development partners and national governments, for significant impact on the Millennium Development Goals, especially Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger, Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, and Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability.
Established by the General Assembly in 1966 and with headquarters in New York, UNCDF is an autonomous UN organization affiliated with UNDP.
UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 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 two channels: savings-led financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; and by showing how localized investments — through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance — can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development. UNCDF financing models are applied in thematic areas where addressing barriers to finance at the local level can have a transformational effect for poor and excluded people and communities.
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 hosts the Secretariat of the Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA)
The Better Than Cash Alliance is a partnership of 75 governments, companies and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty, drive inclusive growth and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Billions of dollars in cash payments and transfers are made daily in emerging and developing economies, including payment of salaries, social welfare and relief, payments to suppliers, remittances, etc. The problems with these cash payments include a lack of transparency, accountability and security, as well as inefficiency. Furthermore, the individuals who receive the cash payments are often part of the 1.7 billion excluded from the formal financial sector. This means they are excluded from access to a range of appropriate and affordable financial services to help them save safely, take advantage of economic opportunities and reduce their vulnerability to risk.
Shifting these payments from cash to digital has the potential to improve the lives of low- income people, particularly women -who are twice as likely to be excluded from the financial system, while giving governments, the development community and the private sector a more transparent, time and cost efficient, and often safer means of disbursing payments. Digitizing payments can also contribute to women’s economic participation by providing them with more control over family finances, increasing personal security, and improving economic opportunities.
The Alliance Secretariat works with its 79 members to navigate their digitization journeys, by:
- Providing advisory services based on member priorities
- Sharing action-oriented research and fostering peer learning
- Conducting advocacy at national, regional and global
- The Better Than Cash Alliance Secretariat Core Values:
- Achieving together
- Striving for excellence
- Service oriented
- Results oriented
- Achieving together
- Striving for excellence
- Service oriented
- Results oriented
Scope of Work
Under the supervision and direction of the Southeast Asia Lead, key responsibilities are as follows:
Under the supervision of the South-East Asia Lead, the Southeast Asia Senior Analyst will be responsible for ensuring technical support to the implementation, and coordination, of the overall strategy for the Better Than Cash Alliance in Southeast Asia, with a focus on Indonesia. Elaboration of the key responsibilities are as follows:
i. Support the Indonesian Government’s G20 Presidency priorities in 2022 in close collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Bank Indonesia. This key responsibility is expected to utilize 50% of the NPSA holder’s time and includes but not limited to:
- supporting the definition and delivery of clear and coherent GPFI outputs of the Indonesian G-20 Presidency;
- analysis of inputs received from the concerned stakeholders/line ministries with a view to prepare Indonesia’s interventions and positions on issues under deliberation;
- preparation of background briefs or speaking points for the participation of the selected representatives in related and relevant G20 meetings;
- support to the Indonesian GPFI Secretariat in coordinating stakeholder; consultations including with other G20- members and non-members as well as implementing partners on various issues of interest-preparation of agenda notes and other reference material for these consultations;
- organizing as needed, and attending internal meetings and consultations, brainstorming sessions and preparing briefing notes for intra and inter-agency follow-ups;
- advocacy withing the Government of Indonesia to incorporate responsible digital payments priorities in national agenda across various Ministries and in the G20 Finance Track engagement with G-20 countries;
ii. Provide high quality implementation support for Alliance advisory and advocacy in Southeast Asia, with focus on Indonesia, including but not limited to:
- Support discussions with Governments and corporate members as well as the broader private sector and other development actors on priority digital payment use-cases currently identified as merchant, wages, agriculture with a particular focus on the cocoa value chain and tax in Indonesia.
- Support the preparation of internal and external briefs/concept for new initiative development.
- Provide technical assistance on implementationof Alliance initiatives in Indonesia to advance theUN responsible principles for digital payments, and/or other topics requested by members including but not limited to:
- Conducting research and stakeholder interviews and analysis for planned action research e.g. of financial service suppliers and leading cocoa companies in Alliance cocoa research.
- Identify and engage key champions at both regional and central levels of Governments and manage the process for aligning Alliance initiatives with Government priorities such as TPKAD and TP2DD aimed at extending digital payments to all regions in Indonesia.
- Organize peer learning exchanges and facilitate bilateral meetings/discussions between Alliance members in Southeast Asia with other regions to increase digital payments capabilities and to share good practices from the region.
- Provide general project management including:
- support on procurement process for external consultants;
- periodical tracking/reporting of Alliance activities with members, to ensure documenting of information and on-time implementation of agreed workplans;
- monitor key indicators to feed into internal and donor reports.
- Working closely with the Asia Communications Specialist, support the organization and logistics of events and webinars related to Alliance advocacy and advisory in Indonesia.
- Conducting research and stakeholder interviews and analysis for planned action research e.g. of financial service suppliers and leading cocoa companies in Alliance cocoa research.
- Identify and engage key champions at both regional and central levels of Governments and manage the process for aligning Alliance initiatives with Government priorities such as TPKAD and TP2DD aimed at extending digital payments to all regions in Indonesia.
- support on procurement process for external consultants;
- periodical tracking/reporting of Alliance activities with members, to ensure documenting of information and on-time implementation of agreed workplans;
- monitor key indicators to feed into internal and donor reports.
iii. Support the up-to-date analysis of digital payments ecosystem development in Southeast Asia and to facilitate in-country missions by non-resident Alliance team in Indonesia
- Update the Southeast Asia Lead and the broader Alliance team on the latest developments and news on digital payments, digital financial services and financial inclusion in Indonesia through proactive sharing on emails or on social media and to conduct more in-depth research on selected topics as required.
- Mission support to the Alliance team in Indonesia including logistics where required and preparation of briefing notes for meetings
- Working closely with the Asia Communications Specialist to monitor and identify advocacy opportunities for the Alliance Secretariat and members for example conferences, multi-lateral meetings and other events, social media, press and news media.
Institutional Arrangement
The NPSA holder will be reporting directly to the Southeast Asia Lead at the Alliance. Given the global nature of the Alliance’s work, the NPSA holder is also expected to work closely and under the direction of the Head of the Digital Payments Innovation & Resource Hub, Asia Pacific Regional Lead and the Global Corporate Lead as required.
- Working knowledge of current developments in payment technologies, including innovative payment methods (e.g., digital government, mobile financial services, pre-paid/reloadable/other cards, etc.) andpractical knowledge of digital payments and digital financial inclusion is essential.
- Understanding of key issues and international good practice relating digital payments with a focus on inclusion and challenges in rural areas and underserved customer segments such as farmers, merchants and MSMEs.
- Solid skills in policy analysis, market research and data analysis/management (spreadsheets, data visualization tools like Tableau, etc.)
- Impeccable diplomatic skills, particularly in working with governments of emerging economies in the Asia Pacific.
- Excellent presentation and representation skills in multicultural contexts.
- Demonstrated excellent writing, editing and communications skills to an international standard including correspondence, reports, talking points and briefing material is essential. Experience in organizing of high-level meetings with networks to local partners in public relations and event management is desirable.
- Computer literacy, including familiarity with spread sheets and power point presentations essential.
Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA
Minimum Academic Education:
Master’s degree in public / business administration, finance, economics, international affairs, development, political science, or other relevant fields.
Minimum years of relevant Work experience
- Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience, in digital payments, financial services, financial inclusion, economic development. Demonstrable experience in multilateral, government relations or inter-government processes in Indonesia is required and more broadly in Southeast Asia is desired.
- Minimum 5years of experience conducting research or direct implementation of projects on digital payments as well as broader knowledge and public and private sector networks in digital financial services and financial inclusion, with a strong gender lens is required.
Required skills and competencies:
- Working knowledge of current developments in payment technologies, including innovative payment methods (e.g., digital government, mobile financial services, pre-paid/reloadable/other cards, etc.) andpractical knowledge of digital payments and digital financial inclusion is essential.
- Understanding of key issues and international good practice relating digital payments with a focus on inclusion and challenges in rural areas and underserved customer segments such as farmers, merchants and MSMEs.
- Solid skills in policy analysis, market research and data analysis/management (spreadsheets, data visualization tools like Tableau, etc.)
- Impeccable diplomatic skills, particularly in working with governments of emerging economies in the Asia Pacific.
- Excellent presentation and representation skills in multicultural contexts.
- Demonstrated excellent writing, editing and communications skills to an international standard including correspondence, reports, talking points and briefing material is essential. Experience in organizing of high-level meetings with networks to local partners in public relations and event management is desirable.
- Computer literacy, including familiarity with spread sheets and power point presentations essential.
Desired additional skills and competencies
- Demonstrates a high degree of initiative and independence in delivering required outputs within tight timeframes, exercising problem solving skills while at the same time demonstrating flexibility and the ability to get the job done effectively
- Demonstrates the ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi- ethnic environment
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
- Self-development, initiative-taking
- Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
- Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
- Managing conflict
- Ability to perform a variety of repetitive and routine tasks and duties related to general administration support
- Ability to review data, identify and adjust discrepancies
- Ability to operate and maintain a variety of computerized business machines and office equipment in order to provide efficient delivery of service
- Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities
Required Language(s) (at working level)
- Fluency in English is required - excellent communication skills (comprehension, verbal communication).
- Knowledge of national languages (Bahasa Indonesia) is required.
- Knowledge of other official UN languages an asset.
Travel:
The following documents shall be required from the applicants:
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
Important! This is a Regular NPSA (National Personnel Services Agreement) role offering initial appointment of one year renewable.
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.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility of extension