Calls for Applications

RfP: Development of financial services integrated with financial education for women and youth

  • October 01, 2018

  • Calls for Applications

Summary

The purpose of this call for expressions of interest is to shortlist financial service providers (banks, financial institutions, Mobile Network Operators (MNO’s), FinTechs) committed, ready and able to provide integrated financial services and financial education to 9,000 youth participating in the Jobs, Skills, and Finance for Women and Youth programme in The Gambia (Component 2). Particular attention will be given to FSPs who use new technologies (e.g. microfinance correspondents, remote banking and mobile banking) and are willing to partner with others to provide mobile financial services.

Submission of the Application

  • The expressions of interest must be sent by email to youthstart@uncdf.org, mentioning the subject of the message "JFS The Gambia Expression of Interest".
  • All applications must be send in English and in Word or PDF format.
  • The deadline for submitting applications is 2nd October 2018 at 17:00 GMT + 0.

Questions and Answers

In the application form sent to partners it is stated in section 3.1 “Briefly describe your approach and how you will implement this type of project and its three workflows” while the same section 3.1 of the same application form shared on the day of the information session states “Briefly describe your approach and how you will implement this type of project and its two workflows”. Which one should we go with?

Please note this is an oversight: You should consider two workflows as stated in the text under 3. Project implementation. The two workflows refer to (1) cash for work and (2) leveraging savings to access other services.

We are required to provide proof that we serve 10,000 clients. Is there any specific format you wish for this to be presented?

Not at this stage. In case you are preselected, a formal due diligence exercise will be conducted to crosscheck financial and portfolio data.

Is the application letter expected to be on company letterhead? If so, how should we handle it if we are partnering with another institution (with a separate application but joint application letter)

Yes. There will be one of the two companies that will take the lead. This company will be in charge of the letter and will state about the other partner. Alternatively, two letters can be submitted but they need to clearly refer to the partnership.

How do you expect the financial literacy programs to be conducted – as a one-time session for participants or multiple sessions? If multiple sessions are going to be required, how many/how long?

It depends on your approach.

What role are we expected to play in the skills development and apprenticeship program? In addition, will the training and apprenticeship activities be during or after the Cash for Work?

Training will be provided during the C4W. The financial provider is expected to coordinate with the training provider to develop product and services according to the sector of the economic opportunities. Beneficiaries will receive a "package" including training and financial services adapted to their needs.

Please clarify if all 9,000 youth and women participants will be required to engage in an entrepreneurial activity at the end of the cash for work programme

A portion of the youth participating in the programme (some 3,500), will be able to leverage the savings accumulated and the skills built during the programme to start up their own business thanks to the range of financial services (e.g. credit, remittances linked to economic opportunities etc.) developed by the FSPs participating in the programme.

Please clarify if the participants will be required to work in groups; if they are going to set up as individual or if they can choose to partner with one or more to set up and/or benefit from credit programme

This will depend on your approach. But normally beneficiaries will choose. We will see what are their needs and develop products accordingly.

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