RFP for the provision of Mobile Money & Bill Pay System

RFP # 2013/1

Subject:  RFP for the provision of Mobile Money & Bill Pay System.

 

“Safe Cities Free of Violence against Women and Girls”

 

1.0 Background

 

UN Women has designed a multi-country, global initiative entitled, Safe Cities Free of Violence against Women and Girls. This initiative aims to develop, test, evaluate and disseminate a model for adaptationand scaling up that makes cities safer for women by focusing on the rights of women to utilize and enjoypublic urban spaces. Port Moresby has been selected as one of five cities that make up a set of globalpilot projects around the world – alongside Quito in Ecuador, Kigali in Rwanda, Cairo in Egypt, and NewDelhi in India.

 

A central objective of the Programme in Port Moresby is to demonstrate how women’s and girls’ public safety and security can be promoted in markets – the most heavily populated of city public spaces used by women working to earn a living, as well as patrons across all sectors of the community to buy cheap food and to connect, network, and socialize. In a country where employment is 85% subsistence agriculture, markets provide access to a small income by enabling people who grow their own food to sell excess produce or goods, and provide a vital opportunity for women to enter the informal economy.

 

As part of the initial stages of implementation of the Safe City Programme in Port Moresby, a Scoping Study was carried out by UN Women in early 2011 in six markets of the capital city with the purpose of gathering and documenting information on the different forms of GBV and other forms of violence in the market places[1]. The report reveals that the effect of the violence prevalent in Port Moresby, as it is experienced by women and girls in particular, restricts their access to and enjoyment of the important economic opportunities presented by the markets. A number of key issues were identified and a series of recommendations have been included in the report, incorporated in the programme design, and have been endorsed by the National Capital District Commission (NCDC).

 

Some of the key issues identified were around petty crimes and robbery happening in and around the markets. These include:

 

1.     Multiple collection of fees for market tickets, i.e. market staff, security personnel and other non-government staff illegally collect fees from vendors for cleaning, security, sewage, water, market space, etc.

2.     Low revenue generation from market gate takings despite the high influx of vendors taking part in the markets

3.     Vendors are being charged “extra” fees for use of facilities, cleaning of the market and usage of the market space.

4.     Vendors who are largely women have cash after finishing their sales and are at risk of being robbed when getting into the public transport or walking in the streets.

 

 

2.0 Objective

 

The contract with a selected firm would cover the complete provision of services relating to:

 

1.     Mobile Money services and a linked

2.     Bill Pay system that allows for daily payments from market vendors for market space usage to NCDC Revenue Accounts.

 

Note: Payment transfers from market space usage to NCDC accounts can be made on a forthnight or monthly basis. The proposed transfer schedule including the service cost per transaction should be included in the proposal. 

 

3.0 Scope of Services

 

3.1 Prior to launching of the platform, provide awareness, information materials and initial rollout training to:

 

·         3.1.1- market vendors, NCDC market management, local ward councillors, and the Safe Cities Programme team, on how the two services will operate.

Note: The awareness material will need to be specifically developed for this project, include relevant logos, etc. Support and coordination with the programme communications officer will be available.

 

3.2 Provide Mobile Money Service (e – wallet) that is linked to a bill pay system and:

 

·         3.2.1 - is user friendly for market vendors to follow and understand,

·         3.2.2 - registers and creates Mobile Money accounts for market vendors, without too many processes involved and preferably without any fees for registration[2].

·         3.2.3 - provides secure means of identification and authentication of clients (for instance , how will the operator handle clients queries of: lost phones, damaged SIM card, change of pin code, forgotten pin code, etc …)

·         3.2.4 – a simple instructions manual should be developed for this initiative, printed and distributed at pilot sites during registration.

·         3.2.4 - provides a secure and easy way of conducting daily transactions within the market. The daily transactions services include;

-          Cash in and out (A specification on whether there are limits to the amount that can be withdrawn or deposited, how many times can someone withdraw during one day, etc need to be included in the proposal) All associated fees with these transactions should also be clearly noted in the proposal.

-          Checking balance

-          Sending Money (mobile wallet to mobile wallet)

 

3.3 Provide Bill Pay Services linked to vendors’ mobile wallet that allows;

 

·         3.3.1 – Account holders to pay market fees (usually K2 per bag of produce, for wholesale markets it will be higher) on a daily basis using the Bill Pay system which must be linked to the customers electronic wallet.

·         3.3.2 – All transactions that concern market fees must be verified by either a  physical receipt or SMS confirmation which includes details such as; customer name or number , date of transaction, amount transacted and purpose of transaction.

·         3.3.3 – Transfer of all funds receipted for market fees to NCDC Revenue Accounts on a regular basis (fortnightly or monthly).

Note: The service provider may charge a service fee for each transaction from the daily market fees collected (at present the fee is 2 kina per bag or space in the market). The proposal should include the percentage/or fee to be charged to all fees for market collection through the bill pay system. 

 

3.4 Managing Agent:

 

·         3.4.1 The firm must set up an agent to allow for registration, cash in, cash out,  and all other services, to be present in the market or in the vicinity (preferably no more than 100 meters away from the market- see also 3.3 above) 

·         3.4.2 Share monthly figures in report format of activity.

 

3.5 Trouble shooting:

 

·         3.5.1 The firm should provide a Port Moresby based focal point that will assist in troubleshooting any issues with the platform and will provide prompt services to both the Safe Cities Programme and NCDC.

 

4.0 Duration:

 

·         4.0.1  This platform must remain in existence and operation at least until 2018. The potential increased number of mobile money users that will be linked to the platform through the markets exceeds the 10,000 (over 5,000 vendors and other possible users from the informal sector).  Any further arrangement beyond December 2018 should be negotiated with and arranged with the relevant divisions of NCDC.

4.0 Reports

 

·         5.0.1   The bill pay platform and mobile money systems should have an accessible and viable way to extract transaction reports by user. An online accessible reporting system is preferred.

·         5.0.2    A short narrative completion report on the steps taken, technical issues or any arising matters from the development of the platform should be submitted at the end of each phase. This includes the launching

 

6.0 Inputs

See section 3.

 

How to Apply : Interested applicants please submit your application letter pertaining to :-

 

-          Curriculum Vitae

-          Personal History Form (P11) (see attached UN Women form)

-          Proposed Daily Rate

-          Sample Report
 

Full details of the Terms of Reference entailing the requirements on how to submit the RFP can be downloaded from the UN Women website : http://www.unwomenpacific.org/pages.cfm/about-unwomenpacific/vacancies-1/ or by contacting the UN Women PNG Office 675 3219855 / 3219852.  All applications are to be submitted by Thursday 28^th February, 2013 either electronically topacific.registry@unwomen.org  or addressed to:

 

(RFP # 2013/1): RFP for the Provision of Mobile Money & Bill Pay System

 

The Country Program Manager

UN Women PNG Office

Level 4 United Church Building, Douglas Street, Port Moresby, PNG

 

Incomplete applications will not be considered and only candidates for whom there is further interest will be contacted.

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[1] To view full report go to: http://www.unwomenpacific.org/pages.cfm/news-resources-centre/publications/2012-2/making-port-moresby-safer-for-women-girls-scoping-study.html

 

[2] Note that since the system will be linked to a mandatory bill pay platform, it is preferable that there are no fees attached to ease the process for a mandatory registration of all market vendors.