Long Term Agreement (LTA) of Individual Consultant as Innovative Finance Consultant (Impact Investing/Carbon Credits), Innovative Finance for Children (IF4C), PFP

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, opportunities

UNICEF’s Division of Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) in Geneva is pivotal to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the organization’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. The division focuses on maximizing private sector fundraising, partnerships, and engagement. Central to these efforts is the Innovative Financing for Children (IF4C) function, which develops and implements innovative financing mechanisms to mobilize resources for children’s welfare globally. These initiatives address critical issues such as climate change, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction, targeting the most vulnerable and marginalized children and adolescents. The IF4C team plays a crucial role in driving these efforts forward through strategic private sector engagements.

How can you make a difference? 

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

Reporting to the Innovative Finance Manager, the Innovative Finance Consultant (Impact Investing/Carbon Credits) will support activities to implement the new Global Vision & Strategy for IF4C at UNICEF. These activities will include exploring various methods for structuring innovative financing mechanisms, such as equity, debt, grants, concessional financing, blended finance, mezzanine financing, and carbon credits. The consultant will also advance the Joint Private Sector Financing Facility (JPSFF), focusing on: i) exploring relevant impact investing models to address programmatic challenges on the ground; ii) identifying opportunities and sources of funding for these mechanisms; and iii) structuring effective frameworks to attract and engage private sector capital.

Additionally, the consultant will support the structuring and implementation of various financing solutions aimed at enhancing the private sector’s contribution to sustainable development through impact investing.

OBJECTIVE(S)

• Explore and develop impact investing strategies and solutions to address programmatic challenges on the ground.
• Conduct research and feasibility analysis for these solutions.
• Create an enabling environment for these solutions, by building and maintaining strong partnerships with governments, international financial institutions (IFIs), development finance institutions (DFIs), and asset managers to engage private sector capital.

MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

1. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (investors, financial institutions, governments). Identify and pursue new investment opportunities aligned with UNICEF’s goals. Collaborate with governments to create a conducive environment for impact investing.

2. Conduct in-depth research on impact investing and private finance mechanisms. Analyze the feasibility and impact potential of investment opportunities. Perform financial due diligence and risk assessments. Identify and evaluate potential investees (SMEs and projects).

3. Establish robust governance frameworks and procedures. Develop risk management strategies to mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risks. Implement a rigorous vetting process for potential investments.

4. Design innovative financing structures (e.g., debt, equity, blended finance). Prepare compelling investment proposals and presentations. Secure funding from impact investors and other financial institutions.

5. Identify and assess local suppliers for potential financing. Develop financial models and risk management strategies for supplier financing. Collaborate with stakeholders to promote localization and social impact.

6. Develop impact measurement frameworks and metrics. Track the performance of investments and generate regular reports. Share insights and lessons learned with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities of the Consultant:

• The consultant will use their own equipment, including laptops, microphones, software, and any other accessories required for this task.
• The consultant will not provide the content/material or any part thereof to any third party without the written permission of UNICEF. All components will remain the property of UNICEF, and the consultant will not them with anyone else.
• The consultant will not place their own name or logo/emblem on the content or final product. The only branding used will be UNICEF’s, if required.
• Maintain regular liaison with manager, content owners, and any related units.

Responsibilities of UNICEF:

• UNICEF will provide all details pertaining to the activity and the requirements.
• UNICEF will orient the consultant on its branding guidelines.
• UNICEF will share the documents and specifications with the consultant as they become available and will coordinate the timely delivery of work.

DELIVERABLES:

1. Creating an enabling environment

• Build and maintain strong relationships with institutional investors, financial institutions, private companies, and national governments.
• Identify areas of opportunity and develop a robust pipeline of activities, engagements, and partnerships, that respond to country-level programmatic priorities.
• Work with national governments to generate an appropriate enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable business models and child-aligned investments.
• Support the adoption and implementation of UNICEF’s child-lens investing framework for private companies.

2. Research and analysis

• Conduct thorough research on impact investing and private equity mechanisms.
• Analyze the potential impact and feasibility of these mechanisms in addressing specific programmatic challenges.
• Explore different impact investing models, conduct risk assessments and feasibility analyses, and make recommendations.
• Conduct field visits and engage with local communities to understand their needs and identify high-potential small and medium-sized (SMEs) and projects.
• Perform financial analyses, business model evaluations, and social impact assessment of potential investees.
• Review historical financial statements, projections, and the creditworthiness of local SMEs.

3. Risk management and governance

• Finalize the procedure for UNICEF’s engagement with asset managers.
• Generate memorandums of understanding, standard operating procedures, and other governance frameworks and documentation to ensure transparency and risk management.
• Create a verifying and vetting process for selecting SMEs for impact investing (e.g., definition of impact criteria, initial screening, due diligence, and risk assessment).
• For each of the structures, identify and assess potential risks (such as financial, currency, market, and reputational risks) and develop risk mitigation frameworks and strategies based on UNICEF’s internal standards and guidelines.

4. Project Financing, Strategy and Engagement

• Structure solutions to ensure in-country SME and project financing (e.g., equity, debt, grants, concessional financing, blended finance, and mezzanine financing).
• Prepare and deliver compelling presentations and proposals to potential impact investors that demonstrate project viability and effectively communicate the project’s positive impact.
• Conduct site visits and interviews as needed to observe SMEs and project operations, interview stakeholders and beneficiaries, and assess how impact is measured and reported.
• Explore, structure, and implement potential financing structures with a carbon credit component.

5. Supplier financing and localization

In close collaboration with UNICEF’s Supply Division:

• Conduct in-depth market research to identify local businesses and suppliers that could benefit from supplier financing.
• Evaluate potential investment opportunities based on their financial health, social impact, and alignment with localization strategies.
• Develop financial models to assess the viability and potential returns of supplier financing investments.
• Analyze and mitigate risks associated with investing in local suppliers, including credit risk, market, currency, and operational risk.
• Work closely with local suppliers, community organizations, governments, international financial institutions (IFIs), development finance institutions (DFIs), and other stakeholders to foster relationships and ensure alignment with impact goals.

6. Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting:

• Develop strategies and frameworks for measuring the social and environmental impact of investments, such as job creation, local economic development, and sustainability improvements.
• Prepare detailed reports for investors, highlighting the financial performance and impact outcomes of the investment portfolio.
• Establish monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of implemented impact investing mechanisms.
• Prepare regular reports and updates for senior leadership and other internal and external stakeholders.

LTA CONTRACT MANAGEMENT:

Innovation Manager

TRAVEL:

There is a possibility of travelling to various regions, such as Africa and Latin America, on a per-need basis. UNICEF will cover travel expenses, so a travel budget should be included in the LTA /work order for any necessary travel.

ESTIMATED DURATION OF LTA:

3 years

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL:

Financial Proposal LTA Innovative Finance Consultant (impact investing_carbon credits).pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education:

• An advanced university degree in international development, finance, economics, public or business administration or a closely related field is required. A first university degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant work experience at national and international levels in international finance, development finance, ESG/impact investing role in a development finance institution, private equity, investment banking, structured finance, or other related fields is required/
• A combination of commercial private equity and/or private credit/structured finance and development finance/impact investing experience is required.
• Strong working knowledge and prior work experience in national and/or international development is an asset.
• Prior experience with Innovative partnerships or financial innovation, as well as experience working with diverse stakeholder groups, multi-stakeholder partnerships, resource mobilization or capital formation from private sector partners, IFIs and DFIs.
• Experience in and knowledge of the UN system and UNICEF’s work is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another official UN language is considered an asset.

Others:

• Strategic and global thinking, along with strong analytical ability.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communications skills.
• A combination of self-driven motivation and passion for achieving result.
• Ability to conceptualize, plan, and execute ideas, as well as manage projects.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

Remarks: 

The application to be submitted through the online portal should contain four separate attachments:

i. A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and explaining how the qualifications and skillset of the candidate (to be uploaded online).

ii. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online).

iii. A financial proposal indicating professional fee as per the above template. Please do not forget to specify your name in the file while saving. (to be uploaded online under “Financial Proposal” tab).

Without all the above documents your application will be considered incomplete and invalid and will not be considered further.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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