Provision of Professional Consultancy Services for Ecuador's Gender Inclusive Financial Roadmap

Objectives of the study:

The overarching objective of the assignment is to develop an evidence-based roadmap for closing the gender gap in financial inclusion in Ecuador.

The objective of the assignment is two-fold. The first is to undertake a Gender Financial Inclusion Diagnostic and Regulatory Assessment to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current gender gap in financial inclusion, as well as key demand-side and supply-side constraints, regulatory and infrastructure impediments, and social barriers. The second is to develop an evidence-based roadmap and action plan to primarily guide the Superintendency of Popular and Solidarity Economy (SEPS) to implement the measures (short-term, medium-term, and long-term) to close the gender gap in financial inclusion, as well as an action plan for various stakeholders, particularly supply-side actors.

Scope of the study:

The assignment is expected to be completed in two phases with the following scope or work.

Phase -1: Gender Financial Inclusion Diagnostic & Regulatory Assessment2

a) Define Analysis Framework

Develop an analysis framework for conducting the Diagnostic and Regulatory Assessment. The analysis framework should outline the key pillars of the diagnostic and regulatory assessment, and provide a detailed technical approach It will be important to align with the country's gender equality regulations and commitment to the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda.

b) Information gathering

  • Conduct desk research to identify the data points and develop a preliminary understanding of opportunities and challenges (demand-side, supply-side and regulatory) in gender financial inclusion in Ecuador
  • Identification of key stakeholders who should participate in interviews/surveys to be done by SEPS with input from consultant; and conduct survey
  • Identification of the regulatory policies/guidelines/regulations/laws for financial inclusion, including women’s financial inclusion, to be done jointly with SEPS.

c) Analysis and report writing

  • Provide a comprehensive understanding of the current gender gap in financial inclusion, as well as key demand-side and supply-side constraints, regulatory and infrastructure impediments, and social barriers
  • Highlight the gaps in the country policy profile from the perspectives of financial inclusion and women’s financial inclusion
  • Provide evidence-based policy recommendations to close the gender gap in financial inclusion in Ecuador.

 

Phase -2: Roadmap to the Sustainable and Responsible Financial Inclusion of Women3

a) Define Analysis Framework

Develop an analysis framework for the Roadmap. The analysis framework should be based on the recommendations of the diagnostic and regulatory assessment to identify the key clusters and the process through which analysis will be conducted to develop action plans.

b) Stakeholder consultations

  • Identification of stakeholders who should participate in one-on-one consultation meetings and those to be done jointly with SEPS; and conduct the same virtualy. The key recommendations identified in the diagnostic and regulatory assessment should be validated in the consultation meeting
  • Develop sets of questionnaires for conducting consultation meetings with at least 2 regulatory institutions, 4 financial services providers, 3 associations, 4 associates, etc
  • Conduct a stakeholder consultation workshop in person.

c) Development of Roadmap

  • In collaboration with SEPS and AFI, develop the initial draft of the Roadmap. The Roadmap should clearly outline the key clusters, as well as recommendations for each cluster, and the recommendations should be prioritized in order of relevance and importance.
  • Develop the second draft of the Roadmap incorporating feedback from the stakeholder consultation.
  • Development of a tool for SEPS to monitor and assess the progress of the Roadmap implementation and build their capacity accordingly.
  • Conduct a workshop to present the Roadmap to the key regulatory stakeholders

 

Qualifications: 

Team Leader

 

  • Advanced degree in the field related to Finance, Economics, Public Policy, International Development, or another comparable discipline is a must.
  • The team leader should have a minimum of ten years of professional expertise in broad financial regulatory and policy initiatives, gender-related issues, public policy, financial inclusion, and international development.
  • Profound subject matter expertise in Digital Financial Services (DFS), consumer protection and Gender Financial Inclusion.
  • In-depth knowledge of the enabling environment for Gender Financial Inclusion in the Latin American region.
  • Strong experience in developing Gender Financial Inclusion Roadmaps/Strategies.
  • Significant experience in conducting stakeholder consultation workshop in the financial sector.
  • Fluency in English and Spanish (oral and written) is mandatory.
  • Extensive experience with quality report writing.

 

Gender Finance/ Policy/ Financial Inclusion Expert(s)

  • Advanced degree in the field related to Finance, Economics, Public Policy, International Development, or another comparable discipline is a must.
  • Should have at least seven years of experience in conducting research, regulatory assessment in the areas of financial inclusion and digital financial services in the LAC region.
  • Profound subject matter expertise in DFS, consumer protection and Gender Financial Inclusion.
  • In-depth knowledge of the enabling environment for Gender Financial Inclusion in the LAC region.
  • Significant experience in conducting stakeholder consultation workshop in the financial sector.
  • Strong experience in developing monitoring and assessment tools.
  • Fluency in English and Spanish (oral and written) is mandatory.
  • Extensive experience with quality report writing.

 

Start / Duration: 

Duration: up to 7 monh

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Please note, that only shortlisted experts will be contacted