Procurement Notices

Background                                                                                                   

Of particular significance to the Gambia’s current national development agenda is the negative impact of COVID-19 on (i) two critical priorities for economic growth – tourism and agriculture; (ii) MSMEs- the engine of growth; (iii) the environment- which is necessary for sustainable development and (iv) already vulnerable groups such as the women and youth operating in the informal economy. In the June 2020 Rapid Assessment of the Socio-economic Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the resultant challenges from COVID-19 are more pronounced in certain sectors of the economy, namely, education, trade, tourism, construction, travel and transportation, retail, environment, financial, and health. Commissioned by UNDP to support the government efforts in fighting the pandemic, the rapid assessment further revealed that the country will experience reduced GDP growth for 2020 that informal workers and enterprises had been hit hardest, and that women given the fact that they are overrepresented in the service, tourism and hospitality industry -were overwhelmingly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

To curb the spread of COVID-19, on March 30th 2020, the Government of The Gambia imposed a nationwide partial lockdown, characterized by physical distancing, closure of businesses/reduced business operating hours, closure of all public places – including schools, and places of worship, imposed nationwide curfews, as well as the complete closure of land, sea and air borders – with the exception of essential goods and services.

These government efforts to contain COVID-19, negatively impacted economic, human and social development, exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, particularly gender inequality, and also increased pre-existing vulnerabilities imposed by geography (including protected areas), gender, economic status, educational attainment, etc. Of particular significance to the Gambia’s current national development agenda is the negative impact of COVID-19 on (i) two critical priorities for economic growth – tourism and agriculture; (ii) MSMEs- the engine of growth; (iii) the environment- which is necessary for sustainable development and (iv) already vulnerable groups such as the women and youth operating in the informal economy.

Several digital transformation areas have been identified in responding to the green economy and social protection needs of the country. Individuals most severely affected on a personal level by the COVID pandemic namely tourism industry operators, communities living in protected areas, women, youth, and persons with disabilities and those living with HIV/AIDS, are affected by the increasingly complex structural adjustments confronted by many sectors. In trying to withstand the shocks of the crisis, they are digitizing their operations for business continuity and survival. This is also the case with public sector partners, positioned to monitor and regulate the innovations created in the two programmes areas. Interventions will include studies on the digital economy and how vulnerable groups benefit from digital financing schemes; training on digital solutions that ensure elderly women learn about digital solutions to enhance their businesses and lives.

This process is now being accompanied by a mapping and assessment exercise of the level of development and inclusivity of the digital economy and digital financing ecosystem” to develop a general findings and strategic implementation plan for the third component of the Social Protection Programme - Digital technologies for financial inclusion of poor and marginalized populations. Consequently, UNDP The Gambia is seeking a Consultant conduct the stated mapping and assessment exercise.

II. SCOPE OF WORK

1. Conduct research at the national level assessing the level of inclusivity of the digital economy and digital financing ecosystem framework of The Gambia.
2. Identification of gaps in relevant policies, laws, regulatory and institutional frameworks with a view to make recommendations to eliminate barriers to the digital economy.
3. Present findings at a validation event to UNDP Committee
4. Prepare a general findings and implementation plan for the financial inclusion of poor and marginalized populations in the digital economy.

III. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the UNDP and the Accelerator Lab Team Lead, the international consultant/expert shall carry out the following functions:

1. Conduct a desk review and prepare a detailed work plan
2. Assess existing data collected from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and related institutions
3. Engage with the relevant local government area councils and relevant institutions in the research / data collection phase
4. Conduct primary data collection as may be necessary to fill information gaps where required
5. Compile findings into an initial draft Findings and Implementation Plan with any other working document(s) for sharing with UNDP for commentary and feedback
6. Facilitate the validation of the First draft of the Plan document
7. Compile any amendments or comments made during the plan validation
8. Submit the final draft to UNDP by 31 May 2022.

Sumbit Technical and Financial proposals to: bids.gm@undp.org

Email subject: “NATIONAL CONSULTANT FOR THE REVIEW OF NATIONAL REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS FOR DIGITAL SERVICES”