UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to peace
PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT:
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.
The Innovative Financing Consultant will play a key role in exploring, designing, and implementing a range of financing solutions in collaboration with private sector entities. The role involves making vital contributions to program design, product development, and the execution of financing strategies to effectively mobilize resources in support of UNICEF’s mission.
How can you make a difference?
OBJECTIVES:
- Support the development of innovative finance mechanisms that align with UNICEF’s strategic goals and the SDGs, including sovereign debt solutions, bridge financing, sustainability-linked bonds, catastrophe bonds, outcome-based financing, climate financing, and insurance.
- Contribute to the implementation of innovative finance models in collaboration with the private sector.
- Support the scaling of IF4C projects by providing technical expertise in innovative finance, strategy, and product development.
- Assess and map the enabling environment for IF4C solutions in the region, including ecosystem maturity, fiscal space, political commitment, donor and private sector engagement, and programmatic needs.
- Identify priority countries and thematic entry points where IF4C solutions can add value, in alignment with the global IF4C strategy.
- Build internal capacity and support country offices in conceptualizing and structuring innovative financing initiatives that align with UNICEF programming and regional priorities.
MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED:
- Development of Financial Models, Structures and Concepts:
- Prepare detailed terms of reference and project initiation plans for new financing initiatives.
- Provide strategic recommendations on innovative finance transaction structures and produce relevant written content, including technical pitches, research studies, and concept notes.
- Support the implementation of innovative financing solutions.
- Pilot innovative, child-focused financing instruments and build internal capacity for sustainable, inclusive development practices aligned with international standards.
- Work closely with the IF HUB in Findland to support the integration of the Child-Lens Investment Framework (CLIF) into operational, financial, and institutional structures of a Regional Development Bank to enhance the impact of sovereign financing on child-related outcomes.
- Feasibility Analysis and Program Design:
- Formulate business analyses of financial markets and trends, including research on key internal and external risks and their associated mitigation strategies, presented in the form of written reports.
- Conduct thorough assessments and feasibility analyses of prospective innovative finance instruments, including recommendations for structuring, incubating, and capacitating each initiative. This includes calls, meetings, consultations, and potential close collaboration with various Divisions, Regional Offices, Country Offices, and National Committees as needed to complete the product.
- Work closely with the Innovative Finance Manager to support the Innovative Finance Hub in Finland in implementing the child-lens impact investing framework and its adoption.
- Reporting and Documentation:
- Document strategic decisions and operational processes to ensure transparency and facilitate future initiatives.
- Develop presentations of business survey findings and outcomes to guide UNICEF senior leadership by reviewing and validating the “best use” case, optimal conditions, and fundamental requirements for new innovative financing mechanisms. This may include calls, meetings, consultations, and close collaboration with various Divisions, Regional Offices, and Country Offices, as needed, to complete the product, including considerations related to structuring and risk mitigation.
- Write content for the annual IF4C impact report.
- Produce detailed impact reports that provide data-driven insights and recommendations.
- Create additional internal and external knowledge management and capacity-building materials.
Responsibilities of the Consultant:
- The consultant will use their own equipment, including laptops, microphones, software and other accessories that may be required for this task.
- The consultant will not provide the content or any part thereof to any third party without the written permission of UNICEF. All components will be a property of UNICEF, and the consultant will not share them with anyone else.
- The consultant will not include their own name or logo/emblem on the content or final product. The only organization branding 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:
Category 1: Development of Financial Models, Structures and Concepts
- Provide strategic recommendations for innovative finance transaction structures and produce relevant written content, including technical pitches, research studies, and concept notes.
- Manage the implementation of IF4C solutions.
Category 2: Feasibility Analysis and Program Design
- Formulate business analyses of financial markets and trends, including research on key internal and external risks and associated mitigation strategies, presented in the form of written reports.
- Conduct thorough assessments and feasibility analyses of prospective innovative finance instruments, including recommendations for structuring, incubating, and capacitating each initiative. This may include calls, meetings, consultations, and close collaboration with various Divisions, Regional Offices, Country Offices, and National Committees as needed to complete the product.
Category 3: Reporting and Documentation
- Document all strategic decisions and operational processes to ensure transparency and facilitate future initiatives.
- Develop presentations of business survey findings and outcomes to guide UNICEF senior leadership by reviewing and validating the “best use” case, optimal conditions, and fundamental requirements for these new innovative financing mechanisms, as needed, to meet UNICEF’s goals and objectives (including structuring and risk mitigation). This may include calls, meetings, and consultations, as well as close collaboration with various Divisions, Regional Offices and Country Offices as needed to complete the product.
- Coordinate meetings or workshops, including creating agendas, managing stakeholders, documenting outcomes, and developing post-meeting materials.
Category 4: Content Creation and Communication
- Develop IF4C video scripts for internal and external purposes.
- Create ad-hoc communication assets (e.g., ICON updates, IFC Directors updates, videos, brochures, social media posts, etc.).
- Develop content for the IF4C bi-annual newsletter.
- Develop briefing notes, talking points, and other communication pieces of up to two pages.
- Develop impact reporting content.
Travel:
- There is the possibility of travel to Geneva on a per-need basis, which will be covered by UNICEF. This is not included in the lump-sum fees.
Estimated Duration of LTA:
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
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 8 years of relevant work experience at national and international levels in international development, innovative finance, ESG/impact investing, project management, consulting, or other related fields.
- Experience in innovative finance or a related field is required, with a solid understanding of the innovative finance landscape.
- Experience in deployment of innovative finance instruments in Eastern and Southern African countries, is desired.
- Strong strategic thinking skills; experience in strategy development is desired.
- Prior experience in structuring innovative finance products (such as sustainability-linked bonds, impact bonds, outcome-based financing, and debt swaps) would be a strong asset.
- Prior experience with International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) is a strong asset.
- Experience with, or 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:
- Excellent planning and organizing skills.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL TEMPLATE:
Financial Bid – LTA (3 years, home-based, remotely) Innovative Financing Consultant, ESARO, IF4C, PFP, Geneva.docx
HOW TO APPLY:
The application to be submitted through the online portal should contain three separate attachments:
- A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and explaining the qualifications and skillset of the candidate (to be uploaded online).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online).
- 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).
Important Note: Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a or 00", under the fee related questions in the online application form.
Without all the above documents your application will be considered incomplete and invalid and will not be considered further.
Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
- Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
- Please note, UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process.
- UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds including persons living with disabilities to apply.
Remarks:
Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.
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.
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.
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 | 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.
