Ghana - biometric payment system

The German Government supports the Government of the Republic of Ghana implementing the countrywide, biometric payment system “e-zwich” with financial assistance. Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (herein referred to as ”GhIPSS”) is implementing a countrywide, biometric payment system (“e-zwich”), which allows the delivery of quality financial services to all parts of the populations, especially also the formerly unbanked and under-banked in rural areas. The objective is to make formal financial services – often for the first time – available to each Ghanaian. As the investment costs for the e-zwich infrastructure are very high in comparison to the modest revenues, the private investors can expect in rural areas, there is a need for public support to maximize the developmental benefits in rural areas as soon as possible. Therefore, GhIPSS has submitted a proposal for the government's Financial Sector Reform work plan, which entails the establishment of a revolving credit fund. The revolving credit fund would provide loans on adequate terms and conditions to any financial institution that wants to establish e-zwich infrastructure in rural areas. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the Bank of Ghana support GhIPSS’ proposal. The GhIPSS takes the overall responsibility and project lead. The KfW Development Bank funds the investment components as there are the Point of Sales (POS) Terminals, merchant cards, customer cards and ATM’s to enhance the access to financial services for the rural population. The project team, to be selected with this tender, shall support GhIPSS implementing the e-zwich system.
Qualifications: 
Task of the team leader is to formalize the approach, to constantly challenge GhIPSS management and project team, to make sure tasks and deliverables are executed correctly, to provide his experience from similar projects, to closely follow and support the system implementation and marketing processes. The implementation manager must have a strong background in implementing technology projects biased to financial services for unbanked people in rural areas. He/She shall assist the GhIPSS project team executing the following major tasks: Elaborate the study as defined for phase 1 of the project; Select capable local experts to work on the different subjects to be included into the study; Develop a detailed business case of the project showing project objectives, key performance indicators and risks and a detailed planning for the second project phase; Develop a scenario for the selection of Financial Institutions (FI’s) and their potential agents/partners; Develop a tender process for the e-zwich hardware components ATM and biometric POS terminals; Review and redefine the specifications for this hardware, if needed; Define measures and conditions that participating institutions should fulfil to be eligible for funding out of the RCF; Develop a monitoring system for effective management of the Revolving Credit Fund (RCF); Monitoring of the infrastructure remaining in target areas; Develop and introduce maintenance contracts for the e-zwich infrastructure; Preparation of information sessions and materials for interested FI’s and their potential agents and partners; Define and execute appropriate measures to lower the infrastructure cost, mainly the POS Terminals i.e. negotiations with the supplier(s), international tendering etc.; Permanent member of the high level steering committee. Quarterly send a preparation document to all Steering Committee members one week before the date of the Steering Committee meeting with the agenda and detailed information on the decisions to be taken; Defining tasks for and coordination of Consultant’s temporary staff; Cooperates closely with GhIPSS project team. Distribute the meeting minutes of the project team meeting highlighting the progress made on the project and the key issues with proposed solutions; Keeps track of the RCF, it’s usage and projection; Reports out of line situations to GhIPSS and KfW as they come up. A comprehensive report showing the project status in detail has to be submitted to GhIPSS and the KfW on a quarterly base.
If you are interstede to coopperate with AFC Consultants, plaese send you most recent CV to: Barbara.Braun [at] afci.de Thank you!