Head of Financial Sector Intelligence and Innovation

**Job Title**:Head of Financial Sector Intelligence and Innovation

**Type of Contract**:Regular Consultant

**Unit/Division**:FINB

**Duty Station (City, Country)**:Rome, Italy

**Duration**:11 months

**BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT**:
Cash-based transfers (CBT) represent an increasing share of WFP’s total humanitarian assistance (34 percent in 2021), and include assistance distributed as physical banknotes, e-money, mobile money, vouchers or debit cards. In 2021, WFP transferred US$2.3 billion to 41.8 million people in 69 countries, empowering them to meet their essential needs. In support of WFP’s global scale up of cash-based transfers, the Finance function through the Business Development and Cash Based Transfers Branch (FINB) is developing corporate tools and guidance, providing day-to-day technical advice and assistance to Country Offices while also undertaking a range of other innovative activities and engagements internally as well as with external service providers.

The Consultant will be required to act as a global focal point for Financial Sector Intelligence and Innovation. This will include leading the team that guides the standard CBT preparedness process by rolling out a new tool for consolidated Financial Sector Assessment through a cross-functional lens, with improved preparedness standards and lowered lead and contracting times. Based on this liaison with Central Banks will be established in key countries and regions, while the Consultant will be responsible and accountable for direct engagements as well as upskilling of the WFP workforce for future deepened relationship with regulatory bodies in the financial arena. On the Innovation side, the Consultant will be in charge of the second Sprint of the technical and procedural developments of WFP’s beneficiary payment platform and head the plugPAY project. In addition to this, the external angle of baselining developments and scouting innovative financial services shall also reside within the responsibilities of the Consultant to provide comprehensive guidance to Regional Bureaux and Country Offices and represent the team in cross-functional working and steering groups.

**ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES**:
The Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

- Act as the global focal point for Financial Sector Intelligence and Innovation ensuring a clear and strong connection between the field operations, Regional Bureaux, and HQ.
- Manage the Financial Sector Intelligence Team, including:

- Oversee piloting and subsequent upgrading as well as full roll-out of new Financial Sector Intelligence (FSI) approach to create a preparedness roster for CBT and offer stringent financial sector ratings, early warning, risk analysis and contingency planning and make recommendations while providing conclusions to the CBT working group and CO management to enable them to make informed decisions.
- Consolidate and analyze financial data on a regional and global level, identifying potential trends and issues, presenting clear recommendations and influencing management to tackle complex or regional problems in the areas of FinTech and Know-your-Customer regulations.
- Provide technical knowledge and expertise to develop/further enhance various assessment methodologies and templates, rating models and tools to facilitate Financial Sector engagements.
- Coordinate the collection and dissemination of lessons learned and provision of support to the CO and RB focal points.
- Lead Financial Services ecosystem development approach by:

- translating corporate policies and strategies pertinent to Financial Inclusion, Choice and Women Economic Empowerment as well as government hosted Cash-based Safety nets into country-level practices by engaging Central Banks and Private Sector in country and regions
- advising and supporting the design of learning initiatives that enhance the capacity of WFP staff and partners to engage with Financial Sector regulatory and supervisory bodies.
- Develop and implement FinTech Blueprint, including:

- Manage or oversee the preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of knowledge products or proposals for internal or external use that position and strengthen the credibility of WFP as a partner in innovative CBT mechanisms and for direct operational use of innovative financial products and services in regions and countries
- Manage or oversee global, regional and local market research and evidence building on potential FinTech contributions to CBT as pathway to understand feasibility to support larger scale operations and choice within interventions
- Conceptualize and participate in delivery of various capacity augmentation initiatives undertaken by the unit, including conducting face-to-face meetings and webinars, update of eLearning materials and modules
- Head WFP’s new beneficiary payment initiative “plug&PAY”:

- Manage the piloting and developme