Commonwealth Secretariat
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Last Date: October 8, 2010
Email: i.allotey@commonwealth.int
Reference: KEN/077
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: Two years
Closing Date: 8 Oct 2010
1. Background
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC) has approved a project to support a project aimed at institutional strengthening of the Kenya School of Monetary Studies (KSMS) on E-banking.
E-banking has been identified as a strategy of enhancing banking services to poor communities in Kenya as part of implementing Vision 2030. The explosion of mobile banking through mobile money transfers through Safaricom’s M-Mpesa, Zain’s Zap transfer system and others means that there is a need to develop the country’s capacity to deal with these new methods of banking.
The Kenya School of Monetary Studies is a public institution owned by the Central Bank of Kenya and the Ministry of Finance. The School was established in 1997 to address training needs of the banking sector in Kenya and improve performance and quality of service and standards in the financial sector. The School faces the need for the requisite expertise to introduce a framework for a sound e- banking training and curriculum, guide the management on strategic and key issues on wider e-banking policies and practice, as well as collaboration with international financial management institutions abroad to share best practice.
This project therefore seeks to build the capacity of the KSMS to address the above challenges. It is expected that in the longer term this will lead to increased accessibility of e-banking services to all sectors of the Kenyan economy and a more robust financial regulatory regime on e-banking. The project will also contribute to strengthening monitoring and regulatory capacity of the Central Bank of Kenya on e-banking.
2. Purpose of the project
Improved e-banking skills within the Kenyan banking sector
3. Scope of Work
The project will provide an expert for a period of two years and will be based in the Kenya School of Monetary Studies.
During the implementation period it is expected that the consultant will undertake the following activities, inter alia
* Support the School to design a curriculum for e-banking
* Initiate a training programme on e-banking
* Support & create a linkage between the school and private financial institutions on appropriate e-banking technology
* Explore and strengthen linkages between the Kenya School of Monetary Studies and other internationally renowned schools from around the Commonwealth offering e-banking programmes
* Develop and support the implementation of an e-banking training platform within KSMS for the benefit of Kenyan banking sector.
4. Project Outputs (Deliverables)
In undertaking the above, it is expected that the e-banking advisor will lead in the delivery of the following project outputs:
* Curriculum on e-banking developed and introduced
* KSMS staff trained on e-banking
* KSMS staff trained on e-banking, with a select group trained as trainers.
* Collaboration with appropriate commonwealth institution developed
* KSMS platform for delivering e-banking curriculum developed and implemented
* KSMS supported in initial delivery of e-banking curriculum to banks and financial institutions
The project will result in KSMS being able to offer a relevant, high quality e-banking training to the banking sector which in turn will lead to improved e-banking services to the citizens of Kenya. The institutional linkages established will enable KSMS to maintain quality, expertise and knowledge in the field of e-banking on an ongoing basis.
5. Transfer of Expertise
The Commonwealth Secretariat attaches particular importance to the transfer of expertise and knowledge to counterparts. Staff of KSMS will be trained and will benefit from skills transfer during the project implementation period. Trained officials will continue the work of the expert upon completion of project through the training of trainers’ .Partnerships with foreign and relevant financial institutions will lead to staff exchange and constant review of course contents and management practices.
6. Educational Qualification of the E-Banking Advisor/Consultant
* A bachelor's degree in the social or cognitive sciences;
* A Post-graduate qualification in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, Telecommunications or Computer Engineering or a related field;
* Additional training on IT applications relevant to banking will be added advantage.
7. Professional skills and Experience
* At least 10 years of experience that is directly related to the specified duties in both the private and public sectors
* Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders;
* Organizational planning and development skills;
* Extensive experience in formulating, coordinating and managing large ICT programmes and projects;
* Professional training and experience in providing strategic guidance and counsel to senior decision makers in all aspects of ICT and in particular e-banking;
* Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to establish professional relationships within national, regional and international settings;
* Strong project management and implementation capabilities;
* Experience in the procurement of large-scale ICT solutions;
* Extensive knowledge of current trends and developments in management information systems in banking;
* Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing;
* Skill in organizing resources, establishing priorities and managing risk;
* Ability to work as part of a multicultural team and direct multi-department managerial, technical and administrative staff;
8. Implementation arrangements and reporting;
The expert will be based at Kenya School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi, Kenya for a period of two years and will report to the Executive Director. The Commonwealth Secretariat, Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD) project manager and thematic advisor will also monitor the progress of the project from London. The E-Banking Advisor/Consultant will also prepare periodic project reports and a final report not later than one month after being in post.
Submission of Application
Interested applicants who are citizens from Commonwealth member countries and who meet the above requirements are invited to apply with a detailed CV including names and contact details of three referees to Miss Ishbel Allotey, Human Resources, Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5HX. Fax: +44 (0) 207 747 6520.
Email: i.allotey@commonwealth.int
Please also complete a Personal History Form (PHF) which is down-loadable with the Skill Codes Booklet from the Commonwealth Secretariat Website, Long Term Assignments (Overseas) page. Closing Date: Friday 8th October 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
e-Banking Adviser,Commonwealth Secretariat
