Deadline: 19-Jun-2026
UNICEF is seeking expressions of interest for a study examining women’s preferences, experiences, and challenges related to digital payment systems in Senegal. The study will generate evidence to support the design of a gender-responsive digital payment model for social protection programs, helping improve financial inclusion, security, accessibility, and women’s control over social transfers.
Program Overview
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is launching a research initiative to better understand how women interact with digital payment systems within social protection programs in Senegal.
The study aims to support the modernization and digitalization of social transfer systems while ensuring that women’s needs, preferences, and safety concerns are fully integrated into future payment mechanisms.
The assignment has an indicative budget of USD 70,000.
Objectives of the Study
The study seeks to generate evidence that can strengthen Senegal’s social protection system through more inclusive and gender-sensitive digital payment solutions.
Key objectives include:
- Understanding women’s preferences for digital payment methods.
- Identifying barriers that limit access to digital payments.
- Examining gender-related risks associated with digital transfers.
- Assessing factors influencing payment channel selection.
- Exploring how digital payments affect women’s control over financial resources.
- Supporting the development of a gender-sensitive digital payment model.
- Strengthening stakeholder capacity to integrate gender considerations into digital social protection systems.
Background and Context
Senegal has implemented major social protection reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and inclusion.
Important national initiatives include:
- National Family Security Grant Program (PNBSF)
- National Single Register (RNU)
- TRANSFORME Program
- Global Acceleration Mechanism for Jobs, Social Protection, and Just Transitions (G-GA)
As social protection systems increasingly adopt digital payment methods, there is growing recognition that women may face unique challenges that influence their ability to access, control, and benefit from these systems.
The study will help ensure that future digital payment solutions are designed with women’s realities and needs in mind.
Key Research Areas
The study will investigate multiple dimensions of women’s experiences with digital payments.
Areas of analysis include:
- Mobile money usage
- Digital financial inclusion
- Social transfer delivery mechanisms
- Financial autonomy
- Digital literacy
- Access to mobile phones
- Household decision-making dynamics
- Payment accessibility
- Confidentiality and privacy concerns
- Transaction costs
- Fraud and cybersecurity risks
- Gender-based violence risks
- Community support mechanisms
- Grievance and complaint systems
Why This Study Matters
Digital payments can significantly improve social protection delivery by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing transparency.
However, women often face barriers that limit their ability to fully benefit from digital systems.
Potential challenges include:
- Limited ownership of mobile phones
- Low digital literacy levels
- Restricted control over financial resources
- Social and cultural constraints
- Safety and privacy concerns
- Limited access to formal financial services
By addressing these issues, the study will help create more equitable and effective social protection systems.
Expected Outcomes
The study is expected to contribute to:
- Greater financial inclusion for women.
- Improved access to social transfers.
- Enhanced transparency and accountability.
- Increased autonomy in managing benefits.
- Reduced risks associated with digital transactions.
- Stronger gender-responsive social protection policies.
- Better support services for vulnerable beneficiaries.
Target Population
The study will primarily engage:
- Women beneficiaries of UNICEF-supported education cash transfer programs.
- Recipients of top-up cash transfer payments.
- Women participating in social protection initiatives.
- Vulnerable households enrolled in social assistance programs.
This approach allows researchers to collect practical insights from recent payment experiences while avoiding disruptions to ongoing PNBSF recertification activities.
Expected Deliverables
The selected organization or research team will be responsible for producing several outputs.
Inception Report
The inception report should include:
- Research methodology
- Data collection tools
- Ethical safeguards
- Sampling strategy
- Work plan
Field Report
The field report should document:
- Women’s payment journeys
- Experiences with different payment channels
- Barriers encountered during transactions
- Community-level observations
Analytical Reports
Reports should analyze:
- Payment preferences
- Access constraints
- Gender-specific risks
- Digital inclusion opportunities
Gender-Sensitive Operational Model
The study must propose a practical operational framework covering:
- Payment channel selection
- Beneficiary support systems
- Digital literacy approaches
- Risk mitigation measures
- Service accessibility improvements
Final Report
The final report should provide:
- Research findings
- Evidence-based recommendations
- Policy implications
- Implementation guidance
Policy and Operational Note
A concise policy document should summarize actionable recommendations for decision-makers and program managers.
Knowledge and Learning Report
The study should include a capitalization section documenting:
- Lessons learned
- Good practices
- Replicable approaches
- Recommendations for other national social protection programs
Recommended Areas for Operational Improvement
The study may generate recommendations related to:
- Mobile money and banking options
- User-friendly payment systems
- Communication and awareness campaigns
- Financial literacy initiatives
- Support for women with limited literacy
- Fraud prevention strategies
- Complaint and grievance mechanisms
- Community-based assistance structures
- Data privacy and protection measures
Who Can Apply?
UNICEF is seeking expressions of interest from qualified organizations and institutions capable of conducting high-quality research and policy analysis.
Suitable applicants may include:
- Research institutions
- Consulting firms
- Universities
- Policy research organizations
- Social protection specialists
- Gender and development experts
- Organizations with experience in digital financial inclusion
Applicants should demonstrate expertise in:
- Social protection systems
- Gender analysis
- Digital payments
- Financial inclusion
- Quantitative and qualitative research
- Policy development and stakeholder engagement
How to Apply
Step 1: Review the Terms of Reference
Carefully assess the study objectives, expected deliverables, and technical requirements.
Step 2: Develop a Research Methodology
Prepare a detailed methodology demonstrating how the study will capture women’s experiences and preferences.
Step 3: Assemble a Qualified Team
Include experts in:
- Gender studies
- Social protection
- Digital finance
- Data collection
- Policy analysis
- Community engagement
Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest
Provide all required organizational, technical, and financial information according to UNICEF requirements.
Step 5: Participate in Evaluation
Applications will be assessed based on technical expertise, methodology quality, relevant experience, and capacity to deliver the study successfully.
Tips for a Strong Proposal
- Demonstrate expertise in gender-responsive research.
- Show experience working on social protection systems.
- Include strong digital finance and financial inclusion knowledge.
- Present a robust ethical framework.
- Explain how women’s voices will be meaningfully incorporated.
- Highlight experience working with vulnerable populations.
- Provide practical recommendations for policy implementation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to address gender-specific barriers.
- Overlooking ethical and safeguarding considerations.
- Using research methods that exclude vulnerable women.
- Ignoring digital literacy challenges.
- Neglecting household power dynamics.
- Providing generic recommendations without operational relevance.
- Failing to consider risks related to privacy and security.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main purpose of the study?
The study aims to understand women’s preferences and experiences with digital payment systems and inform the design of a gender-sensitive social protection payment model.
What is the budget for the assignment?
The indicative budget is USD 70,000.
Which social protection program will benefit from the findings?
The findings will support the development of a digital payment model for the National Family Security Grant Program (PNBSF).
Who will participate in the study?
The study will primarily involve women beneficiaries of UNICEF-supported education cash transfer programs and related social protection initiatives.
What key issues will be examined?
Research will focus on digital payment preferences, financial inclusion, mobile phone access, digital literacy, security, privacy, transaction costs, and gender-related risks.
Why is a gender-sensitive payment model important?
Women often face unique barriers to accessing and controlling financial resources. A gender-sensitive approach helps ensure that digital payment systems are accessible, safe, and empowering.
What outputs are expected from the assignment?
Expected outputs include an inception report, field report, analytical reports, operational model, final report, policy note, and knowledge-sharing documentation.
Conclusion
UNICEF’s digital payments study in Senegal represents an important step toward creating a more inclusive and gender-responsive social protection system. By examining women’s experiences, preferences, and challenges related to digital payments, the study will generate practical evidence to improve social transfer delivery, strengthen financial inclusion, and empower women to access and manage benefits safely and effectively.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
