5.1 Contract the Payment Agent

Following are the minimum requirements for this contract:

  • Duration of the agreement;
  • Cost and type/quality of the financial services;
  • Clear division of role and responsibilities between CARE/the implementing partner and the provider;
  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting system;
  • Reconciliation process;
  • Provisional calendar for critical dates (distribution, reconciliation);
  • Payment terms.

When it comes to payment, CARE favors pre‐financing by the payment agent (i.e. both the service charges and the money transferred to beneficiaries are reimbursed by CARE once the payments have been received by beneficiaries). The contract should specify the timeframe within which CARE will conduct reimbursement.