Consultant – Updating of the digital remittance booklet, UN jobs Kenya

Background context:

Kenyans are increasingly seeking employment opportunities outside the country due to various push and pull factors locally and abroad. They possess immense human, material and financial resources. These workers make significant contributions to the social and economic development of the country mainly through remittances, knowledge and skills transfer, and technological advancements. Kenya therefore stands to gain immensely from orderly labour migration.

Remittances has continued to be the country’s top foreign exchange earner. The Government of Kenya has realized the diaspora’s potential and thus seeks for avenues to promote and involve them in the national development programs by ensuring that Kenyans abroad  have improved knowledge on their  rights and enhanced capacity  to contribute towards  national development programs that are in line with the aspirations and goals of the Kenya Vision 2030 development blueprint . The number of Kenyans living and working in the diaspora has steadily been on the rise and currently, stands at over 4 million according to statistics from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)2. In 2022, Kenya’s remittances amounted to USD 4.027 billion constituting 3.6% of Kenya’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and were the largest source of foreign exchange, outstripping income from exports. Kenyans living and working abroad sent home a total of $1.2 billion in the first three months of 2024.

Despite the significant benefits accrued by the country from labour migration, Kenyan migrant workers continue to face numerous challenges in the countries of destination. Key among these challenges include violation of the fundamental rights of migrant workers; lack of accurate, up-to-date and reliable data and information on labour migration and migrant workers and lack of effective mechanisms for pre-departure, return and re-integration of migrant workers. In addition, prospective migrant workers face several challenges  including exploitation by unscrupulous recruitment agencies, lack crucial information on the destination countries. cultural shock and language barriers on arrival in the destination country.

Despite their economic importance, remittance costs to sub-Saharan Africa are among the most expensive in the world, averaging 7.9% for a typical $200 USD send, far in excess of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10.c target of 3%. Meeting this target would save remitters to SSA $2.6 billion USD in additional fees per annum. For Kenya the average price is greater still at 8.34%. On the UK-Kenya corridor, with greater competition and the emergence of digital payment providers the average cost is 4.8% for a $200 (GBP 157) send. Banks are generally the most expensive channel through which to send remittances, with digital options being cheaper. There is opportunity to move closer to the 3% target as more remitters take advantage of these digital solutions.

Objectives:

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Chief of Mission of IOM Kenya, the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager of Labour Mobility, and Protection  Unit, the incumbent will   responsible for working closely with the government of Kenya counterparts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs. Additionally, the consultant will also liaise with money transfer institutions and diaspora organizations to update the digital booklet that will provide information on the different options for cheaper and affordable ways of remitting money and overall the reduction of the cost of remitting money and contribute to maximizing the benefits of remittances received from the Kenyan diaspora for the catalytic development of the country in:

1. Identifying key stakeholders and their roles in updating the digital remittance booklet (Stakeholders  to  government agencies, diaspora organizations, academic institutions, and private sector actors);
2. Undertake virtual meetings with the selected stakeholders in order to Describe the current state of the digital remittance booklet;
3. Highlight the purpose of the booklet and its significance in facilitating remittance transaction;
4. Identify any challenges or areas for improvement based on feedback;
5. Update and share final digital remittance booklet for dissemination

Expected Activities to be undertaken

1. Review Existing Booklet: Evaluate the current digital remittance booklet to identify outdated information, gaps in coverage, or areas needing improvement that will offer guidance on the remittance service providers that offer lower costs of sending remittances to Kenya
2. Information update: to include current exchange rates, fees, regulatory changes, and technological updates
3. Accessibility: Ensure the booklet is accessible across various devices and platforms
4. Develop a plan for the rollout of the updated booklet
5. Virtual Capacity building to the relevant stakeholders: Provide supporting materials or sessions to educate users on how to utilize the booklet effectively, and regularly updating the content
6. Virtual webinar to inform the relevant key players in the remittance sector about the status of the digital remittance booklet

Tangible and measurable output of the work assignment:

1. Review the existing digital remittance booklet, gaps, challenges and propose recommendations
2. Updated digital remittance booklet that is accessible across various devices and platforms
3. Developed communication plan to keep stakeholders informed and future coordination among stakeholders for regular updates on the booklet
4. 1 Virtual workshop to train relevant stakeholders in the features of the booklet and it’s regular updating
5. 1 virtual launch of the digital remittance booklet

Performance indicators for evaluation of results (value of services rendered in relation to their cost:

•  Satisfactory completion of tasks indicated
•  Timely delivery of outlines
•  Compliance with IOM house style guidelines
•  Delivery of any other tasks indicated above

Required Qualifications and Experience:

1. University degree: Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science, or a related field
2. At least 7 years in Financial Services Experience: Prior experience in financial services, particularly in payments, remittance, or fintech sectors, is highly valued. Experience in banking, payment processing, or financial technology firms is beneficial.
3. Consulting Experience: Experience in a consulting role, where incumbent has provided advisory services to clients in the financial services industry, is advantageous.
4. Project Management: Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver projects on time and within budget.
5. Good understanding of the current state of migration in Kenya and the key activities that the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is undertaking in diaspora engagements , including the importance of remittance and access to investment opportunities for the diaspora
6. Understanding of the Sustainable Development  Goals 2030 and the Global Compact on Migration

Additionally, the consultant must have the ability to: 

1. Produce high quality outputs in a timely manner, while understanding and anticipating the evolving needs on the ground.
2. Assess situations or circumstances, and to draw sound conclusions.
3. Think strategically, manage competing priorities and be highly organized.
4. Work independently and produce high quality outputs.
5. Display sensitivity towards culture, gender, religion, race and nationality.
6. Willingness and ability to travel within the Country for an extended period of time.
7. Strong communication and presentation skills and attention to detail.
8. Advanced knowledge in the usage of computers and office software packages.
9. Ability to work with the government.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Swahili.

Submission must Include the following:-

• A technical and financial proposal to be provided
•  Publication/Reports of similar assignment
• A detailed CV of the expert including records on experience in similar assignments and name, contacts and designation of the references or a Technical portfolio to also be attached in the submission