Monthly Archives: August 2017

Women and finance: unlocking new sources of economic growth

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From basic financial services to board rooms, strengthening women’s role in finance is women-finance-blogpost.jpgone of the keys to boosting economic growth.

In every country, women and men alike need access to finance so that they can invest in their families and businesses.  But today, 42% of women worldwide – about 1.1 billion – remain outside of the formal financial system, without a bank account or other basic tools to manage their money.

Poor financial access makes it harder for these women to get ahead, but it also holds back development in many countries.  This is because women tend to invest more of their money in education, health care and children’s welfare.  These priorities not only strengthen their families but also underpin a society’s long-term strength.

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eC2: Market Monitoring System for the Colombian Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Markets

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Deadline: 22-Aug-2017 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) GAS

Definition, design, and deployment of a Market Monitoring System (MMS) able to give accurate, automatic, and timely signals to the participants in the natural gas and electric power markets of Colombia by gathering, storing, processing, analyzing, and reporting information from different sources, including transactions of financial products related to the energy markets. The MMS is expected to contribute to the economic efficiency of the markets and prevent opportunistic anti-competitive behavior affecting market prices.
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Supporting data for development: applications open for a new innovation fund

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I’m pleased to announce that applications are now open for the second round of a new uganda_stills_006data innovation fund which was announced last month at the UN’s High Level Political Forum. The fund will invest up to $2.5 million in Collaborative Data Innovations for Sustainable Development – ideas to improve the production, management and use of data in poor countries. This year the fund’s thematic areas are “Leave No One Behind” and the environment.

Details on eligibility, criteria and how to apply are here: bit.ly/wb-gpsdd-innovationfund-2017

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eC2: Exploring options for a back-up supply system for essential medicines in Sierra Leone

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Deadline: 21-Aug-2017 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) medical-appointment-doctor-healthcare-clinic-health-hospital-medicine[7]

It is for the development of a tentative business plan for a back-up medicines supply system for public health facilities in the Kailahun and Koinadugu districts.
The consultant is expected to conduct interviews with stakeholders (including those in the two districts) and review existing documentation from various sources, with the goal of: 1, dentifying the list of medicines that is offered through the back-up system
2, Identifying the manufacturers of these medicines that are already licensed in Sierra Leone and verifying the quality standards
3, Identifying potential service providers for the back up system
4, Quantifying the potential demand based on the best possible assumptions of consumption/need and availability in the public supply chain
5, Comparing pros and cons of different pricing/compensation models for a contract with private importers
6, Addressing issues of financing for buffer stock
7, Finding solutions to ensure timely payment.

Based on the findings, a business plan is expected.
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eC2: CASH TRANSFERS PROGRAM

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Deadline: 14-Aug-2017 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)index

The IFC Advisory Services MENA Microfinance Team is seeking a consulting firm to support a Yemeni MFI in assessing institutional readiness to expand its cash transfers line of business. The firm will be expected to use their previous experience in the cash transfers space and surveying clients and staff to review the current set up and cash transfer/agent banking mechanism, to identify gaps and areas for improvement as well as to develop a six-month action plan and overall strategy in these areas that covers crisis and post-crisis operations.
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Scaling up climate investments will require innovation in five key areas

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Just ask the investors: businesses in emerging markets can no longer afford to ignore the risks posed by the changing climate to their bottom lines. Ranging from increasingly frequent and severe weather events to new regulations and changing consumer preferences, climate change is fundamentally transforming the way we do business. Increasingly, companies and their investors are seeking opportunities to transition to and invest in climate-smart portfolios.

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eC2: Strategic Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Lake Victoria Transport Program

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Deadline: 22-Aug-2017 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)

The proposed program of interventions on and around Lake Victoria are expected to Image result for lake victoriacontribute to improve transport connectivity and sustainability. Whilst local impacts are identified and addressed in site specific ESIA, the lake ecosystem is large, complex, multi-dimensional and dynamic. Understanding the social and environmental issues thus requires comprehensive observation and management at the catchment scale in a holistic manner. Given the wider scope of the interventions on the Lake Victoria basin (both at the ports, but also with the lake itself), with knock-on or cumulative effects on the lakes overall catchment area, a strategic planning framework for the development and protection of the lake, its dependents, and associated infrastructure is critically important. This assignment is designed to support the LVBC do that.
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The Tech Revolution That’s Changing How We Measure Poverty

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Article published on http://www.worldbank.org on July 27, 2017.

The world has an ambitious goal to end extreme poverty by 2030. But, without good poverty data, it is impossible to know whether we are making progress, or whether programs and policies are reaching those who are the most in need.

 

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eC2: Lilongwe Water PPP Technical Consultant

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Deadline: 17-Aug-2017 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) PPPs

IFC will hire the services of specialist consultants to support the IFC Project Team in delivering the advisory mandate, which is currently under negotiation. The IFC is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) at this early stage to ensure timely appointment of technical consultants. The RFP will be issued once the mandate has been signed with the Government of Malawi. The assignment will be to provide technical support to the IFC team in undertaking this transaction advisory project. The transaction advisory will be implemented in phases: Phase 1 to update and refine the due diligence that was previously undertaken and to revise the Transaction Structure. Phase 2 will be the implementation of the transaction including preparation of necessary tender documents and supporting the full procurement process.
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eC2:Lilongwe Water PPP Legal Consultant

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Deadline: 17-Aug-2017 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)water

IFC intends to hire the services of specialist consultants to support the IFC Project Team in delivering the advisory mandate, which is currently under negotiation. The IFC is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) at this early stage to ensure timely appointment of technical consultants. The RFP will be issued once the mandate has been signed with the Government of Malawi. The assignment will be to provide legal advisory support to the IFC team in undertaking this transaction advisory project. The transaction advisory will be implemented in phases: Phase 1 will include due diligence and transaction structuring, Phase 2 will be the implementation of the transaction including preparation of necessary tender documents and supporting the full procurement process.
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