Digital Remittance Pilot Readiness and Partnership Mobilization Specialist
CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY AT AFRALTI
Project: UK–Kenya Digital Remittance Pilot Readiness: Rapid Scoping and Partnership Mobilization Assignment
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Engagement Type: Short-Term Consultancy
Duration: Approximately Eight (8) Weeks
Application Deadline: Friday, 30 October 2026
About AFRALTI
The African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI), based in Nairobi, Kenya, is a leading Intergovernmental Organization and ITU Academy Training Centre (ATC) mandated to provide Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training and consultancy services across English-speaking Africa.
AFRALTI invites applications from suitably qualified consultants for the position of Digital Remittance Pilot Readiness and Partnership Mobilization Specialist.
Project Aim
The overall objective of the assignment is to support the UK–Kenya Strategic Partnership commitment to explore the development of a low-cost, secure and scalable digital remittance corridor between the United Kingdom and Kenya by identifying the most viable pilot pathway, mobilising key stakeholders and producing a procurement-ready package for future implementation.
The assignment will contribute towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10.c by assessing opportunities to reduce remittance costs, strengthen financial inclusion and improve efficiency within the UK–Kenya remittance ecosystem.
Background and Overview
Kenya continues to receive significant remittance inflows from its diaspora community, with the United Kingdom representing an important remittance corridor. Remittances play a critical role in supporting livelihoods, education, healthcare, enterprise development and overall economic resilience.
However, transaction costs remain above the SDG 10.c target of less than 3% in many corridors, limiting the developmental impact of remittance flows.
The UK–Kenya Strategic Partnership identifies Science and Technology as a priority area of collaboration and includes a commitment to co-develop a low-cost, secure digital remittance system for the Kenyan diaspora.
Previous work undertaken through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) pilot demonstrated the potential for digital channels to substantially reduce remittance costs, generating valuable evidence on opportunities for further scale-up.
The focus of this assignment is therefore not to undertake a new large-scale feasibility study, but rather to consolidate available evidence, identify critical gaps, engage key stakeholders and define a credible pilot pathway for future implementation.
The UK Digital Access Programme (DAP) has engaged AFRALTI to undertake this short-term assignment. AFRALTI therefore invites applications from suitably qualified consultants to support this rapid scoping and partnership mobilisation exercise.
Terms of Reference (TOR)
Purpose of the Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to assess existing evidence, identify implementation gaps, mobilise key public and private sector stakeholders, define the most viable UK–Kenya digital remittance pilot pathway and produce procurement-ready documentation to support the next phase of implementation.
The consultant will focus on translating existing evidence into actionable recommendations and implementation options, ensuring that future investments are targeted, coordinated and aligned with the objectives of the UK–Kenya Strategic Partnership and Sustainable Development Goal 10.c.
Key Deliverables
Deliverable 1: Evidence and Gap Review
The consultant will be expected to:
- Review existing evidence, including previous remittance studies, pilot initiatives and relevant UK–Kenya policy commitments.
- Consolidate existing findings relating to remittance costs, user experiences, market barriers and digital opportunities.
- Identify critical knowledge gaps affecting pilot readiness, investment decisions and implementation planning.
- Produce an Evidence and Gap Review Report with practical recommendations for future action.
Deliverable 2: Stakeholder Mapping and Partnership Framework
The consultant will be expected to:
- Map key stakeholders across the UK and Kenya, including government entities, regulators, central banks, financial institutions, fintech companies, mobile money operators, remittance service providers, diaspora organisations and development partners.
- Assess stakeholder interests, influence and potential roles within a future pilot.
- Recommend governance arrangements, including Steering Committees, Technical Working Groups and implementation coordination mechanisms.
- Produce a Stakeholder Mapping and Partnership Framework.
Deliverable 3: Problem Definition and Pilot Options Assessment
The consultant will be expected to:
- Define the priority problem(s) that a future digital remittance pilot should address.
- Assess potential intervention pathways, including:
- Remittance transparency and awareness initiatives;
- Regulated provider partnership models;
- Interoperability and payment integration approaches;
- Digital identity and onboarding opportunities; and
- Future diaspora finance and investment-linked remittance models.
- Evaluate options against feasibility, scalability, stakeholder support, implementation complexity and expected impact.
- Recommend a preferred pilot pathway and implementation approach.
Deliverable 4: Procurement Readiness and Executive Briefing Package
The consultant will be expected to:
- Develop Terms of Reference (ToR) for the subsequent implementation phase.
- Develop a Statement of Requirements (SoR) for pilot implementation.
- Produce a stakeholder validation and consultation report.
- Prepare an Executive Briefing Pack for senior leadership and decision-makers.
- Present final recommendations and next steps to key UK and Kenya stakeholders.
Deliverable 5: Final Assignment Report
The Final Assignment Report will consolidate:
- Findings and recommendations;
- The preferred pilot pathway;
- Stakeholder and governance framework;
- Procurement-ready implementation package; and
- A recommended roadmap for future investment and pilot deployment.
Assignment Duration
The assignment is expected to be completed within approximately eight (8) weeks from contract signature.
Applicants may propose refinements to the sequencing of activities but must demonstrate how all required outputs will be completed within the assignment period.
Qualifications and Experience
Academic Qualifications
Applicants should possess:
- A Master’s degree in Digital Finance, Economics, Financial Technology (FinTech), Digital Transformation, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration or a closely related field.
OR
- A Bachelor’s degree combined with significant demonstrable relevant experience.
Professional Experience
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in digital financial services, fintech, financial inclusion, digital transformation, payment systems or remittance-related programmes.
- Demonstrated experience conducting strategic assessments, feasibility reviews, market studies or diagnostic exercises within the financial services sector.
- Experience engaging government institutions, regulators, development partners and private-sector stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience producing policy recommendations, implementation roadmaps and decision-support products.
- Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and partnership-building processes.
- Strong report-writing, synthesis and executive briefing experience.
Technical Competencies
The successful consultant should demonstrate:
- Strong understanding of international remittance ecosystems and cross-border payment models.
- Knowledge of financial inclusion, digital finance and fintech innovation.
- Familiarity with regulatory, policy and governance considerations affecting remittance services.
- Understanding of digital payment interoperability and emerging digital financial infrastructure.
- Ability to conduct stakeholder and ecosystem mapping.
- Ability to assess implementation readiness and pilot feasibility.
- Strong analytical and evidence-synthesis skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder facilitation skills.
- Ability to translate technical findings into actionable recommendations for senior decision-makers.
Desirable Experience
The following will be considered an advantage:
- Previous experience working on remittance cost-reduction initiatives.
- Experience within both African and international payment ecosystems.
- Knowledge of UK–Kenya economic cooperation frameworks and development programmes.
- Experience working with FCDO, World Bank, IOM, UNCDF or similar development institutions.
- Familiarity with mobile money ecosystems, digital public infrastructure and cross-border payment initiatives.
- Experience supporting the development of procurement-ready technical specifications, Statements of Requirements, Terms of Reference or investment cases.
Application Guidelines
Interested candidates are required to submit:
- A signed cover letter; and
- A comprehensive resume outlining their qualifications, relevant work experience and positions held.
The resume should include the contact details of three (3) referees, including their names, mobile numbers and email addresses.
At least two (2) of the referees must have directly supervised the applicant’s work.
Address Applications To
The Director
African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI)
P.O. Box 58902 – 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted via email to:
Applications must be received on or before Friday, 30 October 2026.
Please note: The shortlisting process is ongoing on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Equal Opportunity Statement
AFRALTI is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse working environment. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds.
