PAYMENT SYSTEMS SPECIALIST/PROJECT MANAGER

EAC- PAYMENT AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS INTEGRATION

PROJECT (EAC-PSSIP)

TERMS OF REFERENCE – PAYMENT SYSTEMS

SPECIALIST/PROJECT MANAGER

REFERENCE: EAC-PSSIP - 01 /2013

1.0. Background

Following a request from EAC Secretariat to the African Development Fund (ADF) for support to the areas of Payment and Settlement Systems Integration of the EAC-Financial Sector Development and Regionalization Project (FSDRP1), the ADF committed to provide a grant in support of the establishment of EA Payment and Settlement Systems Integration Project (EAC-PSSIP) in the EAC region. The Protocol Agreement amounting to Fifteen Million Units of Account (UA 15,000,000) signed between EAC and ADF to fund the 4 years project.

The EAC-PSSIP is aimed at complementing the integration of the regional Financial Market Infrastructure to facilitate the undertaking of cross border funds transfers in support of the economies of the region as a whole, together with providing outreach to rural areas in order to encourage greater participation in the formal financial sector.

The objective of the EAC PSSIP is to develop a robust environment for both wholesale and retail payment and settlement systems and to facilitate market integration, support effective application of monetary policy and financial markets aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency in the overall payment and settlement systems. This will ultimately contribute to the pursuit of sound macroeconomic policies and improve the functioning of regional integrated financial markets.

The project includes the following key components:
(i) integration of financial market infrastructure;
(ii) harmonization of financial laws and regulations; and

(iii) capacity building.

It is expected that integration of existing systems will be substantially completed by 2014 and that the regional technological platform will be in place by 2016.

2.0. Main Purpose of the  Position

The purpose of the position of Payment Systems Specialist is to enable the PSSIP and the EAC Secretariat, to coordinate the development of technological and communications platforms, as well as oversee the drafting of guidelines for the regulation of financial sector related ICT systems in the EAC region. The Payment Systems Specialist/ Project Manager will report to the Director of Planning.

3.0 Scope of the Work

The assignment objective is to provide the technical input required to implement for payment system integration and harmonization, relating to the project’s key components listed above. This should be done in accordance with best international technological and communication standards and within the bounds of the common regulatory and legal framework of the region. The Payment Systems Specialist/Project Manager is in charge of the technical and business aspects of the project and is the referent for technical and functional questions relative to each work stream and is in charge of the organisation of activities with providers and Central Banks.

To achieve this objective she/ he is expected to carry out the following project-specific tasks:

i) Assists EAC Project Coordinator in the project delivery, in line with schedule, cost, quality and project scope limits conditions;

ii) Assists EAC Project Coordinator in the supervision of all project activities and in the management of the providers;
iii) Assists Central Banks in the supervision of all Change Management activities;

iv) Is in charge of the overall project plan, the Project Management Plan, the issues log and the risks log;
v) Ensures the project complies with the Project Management Plan;

vi) Reviews and amends business and technical issues, project risks and project scope change propositions;
vii) Responsible for validation of technical and functional deliverables;

viii) Participates in the Steering Committees and Regional Core Project Team meetings;
ix) Responsible for project reporting;

x) Participate in oversight and coordination of the EAC’s financial sector payment systems agenda; and

xi) Any other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the project coordinator from time to time.

4.0 Qualifications and Experience

The suitable candidate for this position will be expected to possess: Masters in Information technology, or Economics/finance/business related subject with additional professional qualification in Information Science and technology.

He/she should have a minimum of 6 years’ experience in the area of payment systems with at least three (3) years of the above-mentioned experience at middle to senior management level. Experience in payment systems development and operations; expertise in assessing and reporting on existing payment systems infrastructure, knowledge of technologies and resources currently in place; and expertise in assessing potential software development for the banks and financial service providers, as well as in undertaking similar assignments in developing countries, preferably within Africa, will be an added advantage.

5.0 Skills and Competencies

Specifically, the Payment Systems Specialist should be able to demonstrate his/her knowledge and skill in some of the following areas:

i) International information technology best standards and practices;
ii) Payments system regulation and supervision;
iii) Protocols  for financial transactions;
iv) Protocols for paperless securities settlement transactions;
v) Financial clearing house operations;
vi) IT Security measures;
vii) Disaster recovery systems.
viii) Risk management
ix) Capacity building for payment systems

6.0 Deliverables:

i. Quarterly progress reports on implementation of the EAC PSSIP.
ii. Validation reports for the technical and functional aspects of the project

iii. Annual Regional Capacity Building program for users and relevant technical working groups.

7.0 Terms and Conditions of Service/Duration

This is an EAC-PSSIP project position supported by the African Development Fund (ADF), and is a non-established position for which contract terms are limited to the period of the project, and may be renewed subject to performance and extension of the funding. The Payment Systems Specialist/project Manager will be recruited by the EAC Secretariat for an initial period of two (2) years including a probation period of six months. The contract may be renewed contingent upon project budgeting and a satisfactory performance evaluation. Attractive consolidated remuneration packages for fixed contract positions will be paid in accordance with the EAC-PSSIP budget.

8.0 Starting period October, 2013

9.0 How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications quoting the reference number of the position applied for, by registered mail, courier service, e-mail (all soft copies should be in MS Word) or dispatch together with Curriculum Vitae, copies of both academic and professional certificates and testimonials, names and addresses of three referees, and day time telephone/cell phone contact details to:

The Secretary General
East African Community Secretariat
Headquarters
EAC Close
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha - Tanzania.
Fax No: 007 27 2502455/2504481
E-mail: eac@eachq.org

To be received not later than 5th September, 2013

The East African Community is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are encouraged to apply. We shall only respond to those candidates who strictly meet the set requirements.