Digital Financial Literacy Survey: East and Southern Africa and the Caribbean

SEEKING A Research FIRM/CONSORTIA

Conducting a Digital Financial Literacy Survey in East and Southern Africa and the Caribbean

About UNCDF

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries. 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. UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: 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.

By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 on eradicating poverty and Goal 17 on the means of implementation. UNCDF also contributes to other SDGs by identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access.  To achieve these goals, UNCDF is providing financial support and technical expertise to the public and the private sector. It provides capital financing – in the form of grants, soft loans and credit enhancement products – and the technical expertise to unleash sustainable financing at the local level. 

UNCDF, through the Digital Financial Services for Resilience Programme (DFS4Res) is seeking applications from legally established research institutions, think tanks, private and/or public sector organisations to conduct a digital and financial literacy (DFL) survey in DFS4 Res countries Ethiopia, Malawi, and a to-be-determined country in The Caribbean. Applicants, whether individual firms or consortia, are hereafter referred to as “the firm.”

Project Background

Digital and Financial Literacy (DFL) are two areas of key importance for sub-Saharan Africa.  With current low levels of DFL across the continent and the increase in the adoption of digitization of financial services, there is a need to equip Africans, particularly those not yet able to benefit from the rapid increases in technology, with the proper digital and financial management skills. While in recent years significant investments have been made across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and The Caribbean in core digital infrastructure and national governments are prioritizing to increase the digital connectivity across the continent, there remains work to be done both on the supply and demand sides. Therefore, there is great potential for a rapidly developing digital economy to positively impact many lives, and though the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a catalyst for digitization, the other side of the same coin is an increased risk of leaving behind the most vulnerable in African countries.

It is against this background that UNCDF, in close collaboration with key stakeholders from public and private sector aim to support the development of inclusive digital economies in the countries on the continent most in need of support in digitization. The Digital Finance Services for Resilience Programme (DFS4Res) was initially launched in the Pacific Region in partnership with UNDP and UNCTAD, where UNCDF played a leading role in bringing about profound changes over the past decade, from the development of policies to the Pacific region’s first national level financial education initiative in Fiji. UNCDF now endeavors to apply lessons and tools from these initiatives to countries in SSA.

The Digital and Financial Literacy Survey

The Survey Protocol was developed first by UNCDF in the Pacific region as a response to the lack of centralized digital and financial literacy data available there, as is the case in many LDCs. With the help of an expert consultant, the lead-up to the development of the survey protocol went through numerous consultations with the respective central banks, key NGOs, and educational institutions such as universities and TVETs. The consultant was also tasked with anticipating a survey protocol that could be adapted for other parts of the world, such as SSA. The result is a survey protocol designed in such a way that while the first iteration is specifically tailor made for the Pacific region, key components of it match international standards and the survey is ready for adaptation to new contexts. 

The DFS4Res Programme is expanding the DFL Survey to the SSA and The Caribbean contexts in order to better understand the needs of those in target countries in terms of digital and financial literacy and to be able to provide concrete data on areas of weaknesses and opportunities for collaboration with key stakeholders in the digital and financial literacy space. This will enable the DFS4Res programme to create tailor-made activities and projects as a response to the learning needs of those in target countries, specifically women, MSMEs, rural dwellers, youth, migrants and FDPs. With digital economies across the globe in a period of fast growth, SSA will require a digitally and financially enabled workforce and digitally and financially literate end users. Tailor-made initiatives based on robust data will ensure that SSA has the skills needed for citizens to be more employable, entrepreneurial, productive, creative, and successful while ensuring they remain safe when maneuvering through the digital economy.  

The key outputs to be achieved through implementation of the DFL Survey are to:

• Adapt the DFL Survey instrument to Ethiopia, Malawi, and the Caribbean so that the survey questions and indicators are relevant to products and services in these specific markets as well as in major local languages.
• Provide cleaned datasets and reports with nationally representative data that will allow UNCDF and stakeholders in these contexts to understand the current level of digital and financial knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours.
• Present report findings to UNCDF and the wider stakeholder community so that the information can be used in prioritizing digital financial literacy content for specific groups in these contexts and in policy and regulation as possible.

Note that the quantitative survey has been developed, and applicants will not need to develop a survey from scratch but to use the UNCDF survey as a basis.

The contracted firm will be guided by UNCDFs DFL survey protocol and as well as advisory support and will complete the adaptation of the survey, data collection, preparation, analysis and reporting. The DFL survey and survey protocol is to be translated from either English into local language(s) for each country; to be overseen and completed by the firm.

Applicants will be required to work closely with UNCDF personnel as well as with both public and private stakeholders in each country during the adaptation, translation, norming, field work and analysis stages of the research. 

Applicants may apply independently or in a consortium, provided that the consortium has a pre-established partnership prior to submitting the application. 

Scope and Objectives

The DFL Survey will allow UNCDF and the greater stakeholder community to understand the current knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours of citizens of Malawi, Ethiopia and the Caribbean. The survey results will provide data that will assist in identifying gaps and priorities for digital and financial literacy programmes to target and allow comparison between different target groups as well as comparison between countries.

The objective of this RFP is to select a firm (or consortium) with extensive experience in conducting surveys internationally and regionally to ensure that the rollout of the survey protocol which provides UNCDF with quality feedback in understanding the current levels of financial and digital literacy in the target DFS4 Res countries (Ethiopia, Malawi, The Caribbean. The scope of work will include but is not limited to the following and the number of reports will depend upon the number of countries that the selected firm will cover. 

The DFL Survey firm will:

• Adapt the DFL Survey to the current contexts of Ethiopia, Malawi, and The Caribbean (all three contexts) so that the terminology, examples used (such different types of digital products and services available in specific markets) are appropriate and readily understandable. Translation into major local languages will be part of the adaptation, testing and finalization of the survey instrument.   
• Conduct the DFL survey using both in-person and computer-aided technologies (i.e. CATI, CAPI), ensuring the integrity of the data collected and keeping detailed notes of any changes to be made for future iterations of the survey.
• Lead a verification process with UNCDF and key stakeholders in each country to gather local input on survey findings as well as to ensure buy in from UNCDF partners in each locality. 
• Prepare reports and clean datasets in English for each of the countries surveyed.

Applicants must also be able to provide assurance/proof of their ability to legally conduct research in Ethiopia, Malawi and the Caribbean whether through establishment of a consortium or firm presence. It will follow a methodology provided by UNCDF and be adapted, translated, and normed by the selected firm. The firm/consortia is required to present an application with a plan for the three localities. 

Specific Tasks

Specific tasks to be completed by the selected firm are:

1. Review the survey protocol (to be provided by UNCDF) and provide:

• A feasibility response and viability of survey plan
• A description of how the quantitative survey will be administered/conducted
• A detailed consolidated implementation plan (workplan)

2. Adapt and translate the survey so it bests fits each local context

3. Conduct the survey:

• Develop a sampling framework that is nationally representative for each country (with an explanation of how the sampling framework is nationally representative) including a consideration of key demographic indicators (i.e., age group, gender, location)
• Keep a detailed record of “field notes” which should include potential changes for future iterations of the survey

4. Manage the data collection process, including data quality assurance, and provide regular updates on progress to designated UNCDF counterparts 

5. Clean the data and conduct data analysis

6. Present initial findings to UNCDF and key programme stakeholders via a draft report/deck and verification workshop (for each locality individually)

7. Submit draft country reports for stakeholder review which include key findings and recommendations (for each country individually)

8. Submit final country reports, final data sets (cleaned) for each country, and one overall analysis report that summarizes the findings for all three localities in English[1]

The firm/consortium will engage with UNCDF country staff, the Digital and Financial Literacy Specialist, and an external DFL expert to ensure quality of survey tools, methodology, analysis and reporting. UNCDF will also provide technical assistance during the period of this activity.

Deliverables and Schedules/Expected Outputs

Please refer to the attached Request for Proposal for the table of key activities, deliverables and estimated timeline.

Key Performance Indicators and Service Level

• A kick-off meeting will be conducted at the beginning of the first phase of the project for Ethiopia and Malawi, and the Caribbean, to agree on the minimum standard of services acceptable. Changes to the deliverables must be reported to UNCDF in writing and accepted in writing.
• Bi-weekly meetings (virtually) will be held between the firm/consortium and the DFL Specialist to troubleshoot, review progress, and ensure smooth and timely completion of deliverables.
• At least two high-level progress meetings will be required per phase, which will include the larger project team (such as the DFS4Res Programme Manager). The first meeting will be to discuss the planning and the second meeting will be to approve the deliverables.
• Monitoring of progress shall be measured both per the activities of the contractor as well as the performance of the UNCDF partners involved in the project.
• Payments will be linked to the approval of deliverables. Should a deliverable not meet the standard agreed, UNCDF will withhold payment and discuss remedial actions with the contractor.

Governance and Accountability

• The contractor will be supervised by UNCDF’s Digital and Financial Literacy Specialist based in Rwanda.
• Approval and acceptance of deliverables will require the agreement of both UNCDF’s Digital and Financial Literacy Specialist and UNCDF’s Programme Manager for DFS4Res in Brussels.
• The firm/consortium is expected to work closely with UNCDF’s country teams in Malawi, Ethiopia, and the Caribbean, as well as the Digital and Financial Literacy Specialist and an expert technical assistant who originally developed the survey.

Facilities to be provided by UNCDF

No facilities will be provided by UNCDF.

Expected duration of the contract/assignment

• The assignment is for 18 months.
• The target date of commencement is 20th November 2023, and the target date for finalization of the contract is 30th June 2025.
• The average turn around time for output revision and comments by UNCDF will be one week.

Duty Station

The firm/consortium should demonstrate that key staff will be available on the ground in each country; an established presence is preferable but not required. Support staff may be based in the firm/consortium’s headquarters or field offices in other localities than Malawi, Ethiopia and the Caribbean.

Professional Qualifications of the Successful Contractor and its key personnel

Required qualifications for eligible firms/consortia

• Minimum 10 years of demonstrable institutional experience in field research, preferably in at least one of the three localities in this RFP;
• Demonstrable experience in conducting and analyzing quantitative surveys with large sample sizes (such as over 1,000 per country), with at least three similar projects completed in the last five years (within the consortium if applicable);
• Proven experience in conducting development research, evaluations and collecting and compiling data for studies and research that includes both field-based (in-person) and technology-assisted methodologies;
• Demonstrable experience in engaging with government institutions, development partners, and other key stakeholders and use of tact and sensitivity when handling sensitive information; 
• Sufficient and technically qualified personnel to monitor and implement activities and deliver all required outputs. The survey team members must have the following:
  • Demonstrable strong oral and written communication;
  • Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and maintain flexible working hours;
  • Strong analytical skills;
  • Firms/consortia that have completed similar surveys in Malawi, Ethiopia and/or the Caribbean would have an added advantage, though not a pre-requisite.

Firms must also demonstrate corporate competencies key to United Nation’s values:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, tolerance, integrity, respect, and impartiality).
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Requirements for core team composition

The firm (or consortium) must demonstrate how they have experience in recruiting and oversight of a cohort of experienced enumerators that can be deployed for this work, such as a pre-existing relationship with an entity that has enumerators, past surveys with similar methodologies or an internal cohort of enumerators on the ground. Each country should have a coordinator based in country for the length of the survey activities. The proposed team should be led by one senior team leader and at least one mid-level key staff person with the following experience and qualifications:

Minimum qualification criteria team members:

Team leader

• Postgraduate degree in economics, finance, banking, development, insurance, education or related fields or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of a dedicated experience with progressive responsibilities in implementing and managing large-scale quantitative research projects over multiple countries.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience conducting and/or overseeing research projects in sub-Saharan Africa; experience in the Caribbean as well is a plus.
• Proven expertise and a good understanding of economics and markets with particular emphasis on the digital financial landscape.
• Proven experience in conducting development research, evaluations and collecting and compiling data for studies and research that includes both field-based (in-person) and computer assisted methodologies. (Examples of at least three (3) prior evaluations or research projects shall be provided.)
• Ability to produce high-quality (detailed and yet concise) diagnostic study reports (as a team leader).
• Oral and written proficiency in English.

Mid-level/Coordinator:

• At least a bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, banking, development, insurance, education or related fields.
• A minimum of five (5) years of a dedicated experience with progressive responsibilities in implementing and managing large, preferably quantitative research projects.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience conducting and/or overseeing research projects in sub-Saharan Africa; experience in the Caribbean as well is a plus.
• Proven understanding of economics and markets with particular emphasis on the digital financial landscape.
• Proven experience in conducting development research, evaluations and collecting and compiling data for studies and research, including overseeing field-based and computer-assisted research technologies.
• Ability to produce high-quality datasets and demonstrated experience in contributing to the analysis of such datasets.
• Oral and written proficiency in English.

The offer should also include information on the previously conducted studies on related areas during the period of 5 previous years (2017-2022) indicating name of the company that contracted the services. UNCDF may contact one or few of the previous employees for references.

The offer should contain price quote in United States Dollars (USD). The price offer should remain valid for at least 90 days to give UNCDF adequate time for making procurement decision.

The standard UNCDF contract would be suggested for signature to the most responsive bidder to UNCDF needs. UNCDF reserves the right to annul the tender and not to award the contract to any of the bidders.

The interested firms and/or consortia are invited to provide bids.

The offer and the audit reports should be submitted in English.

Technical and Financial Proposals must be submitted separately as instructed in the RFP on page 1.

Deadline for submission of offers is Wednesday October 24,  2023, 5:00 p.m EAT.

Offers are to be submitted electronically to uncdf.procurement@uncdf.org

Note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the proposal reaches the required address by the deadline. Proposals received after the above deadline, for whatever reason, will not be considered for evaluation.

As proposals will be submitted by email, the applicant must ensure that they are signed and in .pdf format, as well as free from any viruses or corrupted files.

Price and Schedule of Payments

The contract price is a fixed output-based price.  The financial proposal must include: 

• Budget quotation for the entire project, with detailed line items
• Planning and foreseen timings 
• A detailed price breakdown for each functional grouping or category

The payment schedule will be based on the outputs and will be structured as shown above in the Deliverables and Payment Schedule section. The firm/consortium selected is expected to furnish all office costs and hardware costs for the survey.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals

Interested individual consultants/firms must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Financial proposal (including fee, travel cost, DSA (UNDP will not consider proposals that budget more than the UN DSA prevailing rate of Malawi, Ethiopia and the Caribbean) using the UNCDF standard template provided.
2. Technical proposal including the below, in bidder’s format:

• Dossier: This should include at minimum the sections:
  1. Executive summary
  2. Problem and needs statement showing an understanding of the purpose of the survey
  3. Overall survey methodology (sampling, data security, etc.)
  4. Proposed methodology for data collection and analysis demonstrating an understanding of the prior study (see the Fiji study linked in the RFP)
  5. Workplan with activities, deliverables and timetable
• Personal P-11 forms or CVs for key proposed personnel (i.e. team leader, mid-level staff/coordinator) including experience in similar projects and at least 3 references for each.
• Optional: Presentation that visually describes the project (maximum 15 slides, in .pdf format)
• Certificate(s) of Incorporation
• Latest audited financial statements
• Official document confirming that the candidate is in order related to tax and social security payments

Financial proposal

Lump sum contracts: The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount that is inclusive of professional fees and other incidentals that the consultant expects to incur during the performance of the work.

1. Evaluation Method

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following methodology, with technical and financial proposals reviewed separately:

• Technical Evaluation Weight - 70% x (Step I: Desk review 100 points);
• Financial Evaluation Weight - 30% (Step II).

Step I: Technical Evaluation-Desk Review

A desk review will be conducted to produce a shortlist of applicants according to the criteria listed below.

Please refer to the Request for Proposal for details for the Criteria, Weight and Allocated points