RFP-AFI-2022-020 Consultation Services to Structure and Operationalize the NFIS Secretariat of the Central Bank of Iraq

  • Contractor
  • Iraq
  • TBD USD / Year
  • Alliance for Financial Inclusion profile




  • Job applications may no longer being accepted for this opportunity.


Alliance for Financial Inclusion

1. Background

The Alliance for Financial Inclusion

The Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) is the world’s leading organization on financial inclusion policy and regulation. Currently, nearly 100 member institutions make up the AFI network including central banks, ministries of finance and other financial policymaking or regulatory institutions from over 85 developing countries and emerging markets. AFI empowers policymakers to increase the access and usage of quality financial services for the underserved through sustainable and inclusive policies and an effective use of digital technologies.

Policies developed and implemented by the members of the Alliance contribute to a range of the Sustainable Development Goals. by Setting their own agenda, AFI members harness the power of peer learning to develop practical and tested policy reforms that enhance financial inclusion with strategic support from both public and private sector partners.

AFI has 7 Working Groups (WGs): Consumer Empowerment and Market Conduct Working Group (CEMCWG), Digital Financial Services Working Group (DFSWG), Financial Inclusion Data Working Group (FIDWG), Financial Inclusion Strategy Peer Learning Group (FISPLG), Global Standards Proportionality Working Group (GSPWG), Inclusive Green Finance Working Group (IGFWG) and SME Finance Working Group (SMEFWG).

As the key source of policy developments and trends in financial inclusion and as the primary mechanism for generating and incubating technical content in the network, the Working Groups serve as “communities of practice”. Providing a platform for knowledge exchange and peer learning among policymakers to share, deliberate and deepen their understanding, the working groups offer leadership and expertise in their respective policy fields and support the network to monitor new developments in emerging fields.

The knowledge generated via the working groups is disseminated for implementation by a range of capacity building activities such as Joint Learning Programs, Member Trainings, Trainings by Private Sector Partners. The practical experience members garner from engaging in peer learning based capacity building is then applied by members as in country implementation projects which are supported by the provision of financial or technical support to AFI member institutions in conducting activities that aim to deliver financial inclusion policies, regulations, supervisory tools or enablers for the development of policies, such as national financial inclusion strategies

The working groups receive strategic guidance and insight from the High-Level Global Standards & Policy Committee, while the Gender Inclusive Finance Committee, supports WGs in integrating gender considerations into all aspects of their work and support members in fulfilling their Denarau Action Plan (2016) commitment to promote women’s financial inclusion.

AFI members have made further commitments in a range of other accords which can be read here.

The AFI’s five regional initiatives support policy implementation in Africa (AfPI), Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC), the Pacific Islands (PIRI), Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECAPI) and the Arab Region (FIARI).

2. Consultancy Background and Rationale

Financial inclusion is considered by the Central Bank of Iraq as the main pillar for enhancing the use and access to financial and banking services in Iraq, leading to greater supply and demand, especially towards typically excluded groups (women, young people, small and medium enterprises, and Forcibly Displaced People) for whom the potential opportunities are as great as the challenges.

For more than 5 years, the CBI is engaged in the process of achieving sustainable goals in financial inclusion, providing stability to the financial sector while including more people and has made significant progress particularly in digital services, in the collection of supply and demand side data indicators, including bank account ownerships and use of electronic payment tools, and have conducted awareness campaigns to enhance financial literacy and improve the protection of financial consumers.

Regulatory frameworks and supervision process were also developed to ensure a sound legal environment for all concerned parties and in terms of infrastructure development, the Central Bank of Iraq has modernized payment systems, established a national switch, data centers and developed infrastructure for information and communication technology within best international practices.

The CBI has established a governance structure to supervise the implementation of the financial inclusion projects which is composed of a Supreme Committee for Financial Inclusion and 7 related subcommittees. Currently, the CBI is in the process of formulating their first National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS).

3. Purpose and objective of technical support

The purpose of this technical support is to provide guidance and recommendations to establish and operationalize a NFIS Secretariat, within the existing governance structure with high-level, steering, technical committees, and working groups, with a coordination mechanism which will be carefully tailored to fit into the context of Iraq. This support will also include recommendations on the needed internal structures within CBI to host such a NFIS Secretariat and coordination mechanism.

The overall objective of the project is to support the formulation and implementation of the first NFIS in Iraq, through the proposition of a consultancy for the review, structuration, and operationalization of the NFIS Secretariat, within the governance structure already in place. This technical support will enable CBI to coordinate and monitor the progress of the NFIS development with a coherent and structured approach.

The technical support will include a benchmark of NFIS Secretariat models among AFI members with focus on models that could be adapted in the context of Iraq. This support will enable the development of operational guidance as well as the crafting of terms of reference to operationalize the Secretariat in alignment with its mandate, including budgetary issues and monitoring tools.

4. Scope of Work

Activity 1: Assessment of the current institutional organizational governance structure related to the future development and implementation of Iraq’s NFIS based on which recommendations will be formulated to establish an appropriate NFIS Secretariat.

  • Inception meeting: Preliminary discussions with the CBI and AFI teams to agree on the scope of work, deliverables, partners, support needed, reporting process, and related timelines.
  • Assessment of current organizational governance structure
  • Currently, CBI has assigned the Payment Systems Department as the lead regarding financial inclusion topics (including the formulation of an NFIS) and is following up on financial inclusion progress achieved through this entity. The consultant will work closely with this department to assess the options to establish within CBI a NFIS Secretariat that will coordinate activities and meetings within the proposed NFIS governance structure. The consultant will also assess the governance structure already in place and provide guidance and recommendations for needed adjustments to the structure to ensure a successful implementation of the NFIS Secretariat, with the aim to achieve the NFIS Secretariat objectives.
  • Report: Analysis of the current governance structure including roles of main public and private institutions involved for the formulation and implementation of the NFIS, legal powers, analysis of the institutional context and way of doing effective communication. This analysis will result in recommendations for a Secretariat within a suitable governance structure for Iraq’s NFIS. The consultant will need to be physically present in Iraq and work with the CBI team.
  • Information to consider for your financial proposal linked to Activity 1:

    • Total billable working days: 5
    • Total number of accommodation days: 6
    • Cost of plane ticket: borne by consultant

Activity 2: NFIS Secretariat Benchmark Report/PPT and proposal for an appropriate Secretariat structure for the Iraq NFIS, aligned with Iraq’s country-context

  • Benchmarking of AFI members’ NFIS Secretariats:
    1. The consultant will analyze NFIS Secretariat and governance structures of AFI member countries which have similar economic, geographic, and institutional context as Iraq, and will combine/align this benchmarking exercise with global best practices related to the development and implementation of NFIS governance structures and Secretariats. The consultant will formulate ‘lessons learnt’ and will provide recommendations which will create the baseline to develop a proposal for the CBI NFIS Secretariat, within a governance structure adapted to the institutional context of Iraq.
    2. Delivery of Report and PPT presentation on lessons learnt from different NFIS Secretariat and governance structures within the AFI member network. The selection of benchmark countries will take into consideration countries which have an institutional, political, and economical context similar to Iraq.
  • Proposal for a NFIS Secretariat:
    1. Building on the results of the benchmarking exercise (including lessons learned and recommendation provided), the consultant will propose a model for the CBI NFIS Secretariat integrated in a governance structure that will secure high-level leadership and national stakeholders buy-in while optimizing traction and efficiency. The consultant will suggest the legal reference or mandate under which the Secretariat may be created and will draft the terms of reference (TOR) for the Secretariat including its role, objectives, and other aspects including frequency of meetings. In addition, the consultant will develop a process to make the Secretariat and governance structure workable in terms of communication, coordination, and results. Once agreed upon by CBI, the NFIS Secretariat (positioned within the NFIS governance structure) will be proposed to the NFIS stakeholders for approval and comments through a consultative workshop.
    2. Delivery of Report which proposes a fully-fledged NFIS Secretariat structure, including its operational components (e.g., rationale, mission, objectives, roles, process for an effective coordination) which will enable the Secretariat to be an important driver for NFIS stakeholder coordination, thereby contributing to the achievement of the NFIS goals and vision.
  • Information to consider for your financial proposal linked to Activity 2

    • Total billable working days: 5

Activity 3: Development of an appropriate NFIS Secretariat + Dissemination Workshop in Iraq.

  • Development of an appropriate NFIS Secretariat:
  1. The consultant will design an appropriate NFIS Secretariat within CBI based on the identification of skilled staff. The consultant will also propose operational guidance and monitoring tools for the proposed Secretariat to achieve its goals to coordinate progress of the NFIS development. The consultant will present the tools to the CBI staff on-site. In addition, the consultant will assist in ensuring the identification and assignment of sufficient budget to employ the Secretariat’s staff throughout the duration of the NFIS, design annual activities plan to ensure that the Secretariat works efficiently and regularly reports to the relevant entities within the NFIS Governance Structure.
  2. Includes the delivery of a Report including operational guidance, inception plan, planning of activities, budget and monitoring tools, drafting of TORs for the Secretariat. Aforementioned will require consultation meetings with CBI and stakeholders to define the appropriate Secretariat, consolidate comments and reach agreement on the proposed model of Secretariat which needs to be formally approved by CBI.
  3. On-site mission in Iraq to present the final proposal during a dissemination workshop: The consultant will present the proposed Secretariat Model at a dedicated dissemination workshop which will be attended by all the main national NFIS stakeholders.
  • Information to consider for your financial proposal linked to Activity 3.

    • Billable working days: 10
    • Accommodation days: 6
    • Flight: Borne by consultant

5. Timeline

Refer RFP Documents in original link (can access from “How to Apply”)

6. Travel

This consultancy work will require travels to Iraq to engage with national stakeholders and to support the dissemination workshop. This will be discussed in further detail after the award decision notification. Budget for travels to be included in the financial proposal.

7. Consultant Experience

  • The applicant should be a consultant or consulting firm with a proven record in financial sector development, financial inclusion, or related field.
  • The consultant or consulting firm should have expertise and working knowledge in law, governance, and organizational structures and public policies in the context of Arabic countries.
  • The consultant or consulting firm should have experience on development of financial inclusion policies and regulation and national financial inclusion strategies.
  • Good understanding of the Arab region financial inclusion policies and challenges, including Iraq’s financial inclusion journey.
  • Proven skills and experience in addressing coordination challenges among national and high-level stakeholders related to financial inclusion.
  • To have done similar exercises and achieved similar assignments is an added advantage.
  • The team leader should have at least 7+ years of relevant experience and hold a master’s degree in a relevant field.
  • Excellent written, spoken and presentation skills in Arabic and English.
  • Experience working with governmental institutions and public authorities.
  • Ability to maintain and keep confidential information within the scope of the project.
  • Ability to complete assignments within deadline.

8. Reporting

Throughout the contract period, the consultant will be reporting to the Project Lead from the CBI supported by the Technical Lead from the AFI team supporting this assignment**.**

9. Proposal Submission Information

Proposals will be due with the following requirements for submission:

Submission Deadline:

8 June 2022

Documents to be submitted with Annexure 1 and 2:

Firm

· Company Registration [Mandatory]

· Company Profile

· Full CVs of lead and support consultant highlighting relevant work

· List of previous or current clients with whom similar work has been conducted

· At least one (1) sample (link or attachments) of a published technical paper on financial inclusion authored exclusively by the lead consultant.

· Reference letter (if any);

Individual

· Full CV highlighting relevant work

· List of previous or current clients with whom similar work has been conducted

· At least one (1) sample (link or attachments) of a published technical paper on financial inclusion authored exclusively by you.

· Disclosure statement, if individual has full time or part time employment contract with any organization or government official or indirect involvement in this tender;

· Reference letter (if any);

Method of Submission:

By email to AFI’s Procurement & Contracts Office at [email protected]

Submission of Technical and Financial Proposals:

Kindly submit as following directives:

1. Using the template/format given in Annexure 1 (Technical) and Annexure 2 (Financial) and/or additional technical proposal for more information.

2. Technical and Financial proposals must be separated in different pdf.

3. Financial proposals must be in USD only. Whereas for Malaysian applicants with Business Registration under Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), please submit your financial proposals in MYR.

4. Proposal to be submitted to the designated email address.

5. AFI does not tolerate copyright infringement in the form of plagiarism. Consultant or consulting entity awarded a contract by AFI shall take responsibility to ensure that the authored works, produced in parts or as an entirety of the deliverables stated in this RFP does not infringe on copyrights.

AFI reserves the right to disqualify incomplete submission and non-compliance to the above requirements. Notification result will only be sent to shortlisted candidates upon completion.

All proposals submitted become the property of AFI. AFI will make all reasonable efforts to maintain proposals in confidence and will release proposals only to personnel involved with the evaluation of the project. Proprietary information should be identified in each proposal.

Evaluation Criteria

Refer RFP Documents in original link (can access from “How to Apply”)

Evaluation of technical and financial proposals

The evaluation and decision on the best proposal will be made based on the combined criterion, where companies are qualified by means of a score that takes into account the combined valuation of the technical and financial proposals, with the following weights:

a) Technical Proposal: 70% (Seventy percent).

b) Financial Proposal: 30% (Thirty percent).

How to apply

Interested applicants are expected to submit a proposal with an updated CV and using the template given (Download the RFP document here) by email to AFI’s Procurement & Contracts Office at [email protected] by 8th June 2022.

Note: AFI does not tolerate copyright infringement in the form of plagiarism. Consultant or consulting entity awarded a contract by AFI shall take responsibility to ensure that the authored works, produced in parts or as an entirety of the deliverables stated in this RFP does not infringe on copyrights.

The final decision on the selection of a consultant/consulting firm for this project rests with AFI management team and with the Inquiry. Only shortlisted and successful consultants will be contacted.


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