IFRC is hiring a Consultant to Support the Global Payment Solutions Initiative (global locations): Apply Now!!
Application Deadline: 25-Jul-2024
Country: GLOBAL Different Locations
Duty Station: Global
Organizational Context
The IFRC published the research report on Global Payment Solutions for Humanitarian Cash Assistance in early 2022 highlighting the needs and opportunities of readily deployable financial solutions during emergencies that work in different contexts and locations where local financial service providers (FSP) might not be available or not yet procured. The lessons from the response to COVID-19 pandemic, where a significant number of National Societies have opted to respond with CVA, highlighted that procurement of FSPs during an emergency is a big challenge and bottleneck to timely assistance. Experience from the IFRC Americas regional payment solution using prepaid cards that could be shipped to affected locations and loaded with monetary value remotely showed to be effective and efficient. This was replicated recently in the response to the Ukraine crisis where the global framework agreement with RedRose using their integration with MoneyGram helped not only deliver financial assistance quickly but also do it at scale. Further lessons about integrating with multiple financial services and payment mechanisms also mean the end recipient could indicate preference on how to receive assistance, further providing them choice and dignity. For National Societies that might not have their own FSP contracts in place yet, the global payment solution could be an option to deploy while local procurements are done in parallel. It’s also an opportunity for National Societies to learn about the different services and functionality provided by service providers while they develop their own requirements for FSPs.
In Q4 2023 the IFRC launched a tender for Global Payment Solutions with the aim of having a suite of financial tools that could be deployed during emergencies globally. This included payment aggregators (companies offering different integrated payment solutions) and specific payment mechanisms such as mobile money, remittance, and prepaid cards. The procurement process is expected to finish by the end of April 2024 and followed up with contracting with selected vendors. The IFRC also plans on piloting with the selected vendors to better understand the processes from onboarding, implementation during emergencies, reporting, to audit—particularly interested in how the global solutions work with last mile financial service providers.
Job Purpose
The IFRC is looking for a consultant to help support the Global Payment Solutions effort.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following activities are expected to be carried out by the resource:
- Support contract review and attend vendor calls
- Develop materials for various cash practitioners within the RCRC network on the purpose and use of the GPS
- Develop criteria and TOR for piloting PSPs within the RCRC network
- Provide input to a PSP selection tool that will be utilized by IFRC and NS
The resource is expected to work independently, with minimal supervision, and be able to assume and manage the responsibility for assigned fields of expertise. The resource will report to the Sr. Officer CVA Programme Finance and Risk Management and will work closely with the Logistics, Finance, and Legal teams. The resource will work with the supervisor on a workplan with milestones and deliverables.
Timeline
Estimated 20 days between 01 August to 30 September 2024.
Management and coordination
The consultant will be managed by the Senior Officer, Programme Finance and Risk Management. Close collaboration and coordination will be required with various staff at IFRC and National Societies.
Resource is accountable for delivering services in a professional and timely manner, and for ensuring a high standard of quality of the work output.
Experience
Required
- At least 5 years of experience working on humanitarian initiatives.
- Experience with cash and voucher assistance including working with FSPs.
- Experience with cash and voucher procurement, market research, or relevant professional qualifications in logistics.
- Experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, other international organizations or NGO.
- Experience with Microsoft Office software programs and web conferencing tools.
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Required
- Fluently spoken and written English.
- Excellent writing and communication skills.
- Familiarity with different payment mechanisms (e.g. prepaid cards, mobile money, bank transfers, etc.)
Competencies, Values and Comments
Application Instructions
- Please submit your application in English only.
- Please include in your motivation letter your availability and your current Daily Fee Rate in CHF.
