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, sustainability

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? 

• Support the development of innovative finance mechanisms that align with UNICEF’s strategic goals and the SDGs (e.g., sovereign debt restructuring/swaps, bridge financing, sustainability-linked bonds, catastrophe bonds, outcome-based financing, climate financing, and insurance).
• Contribute to the implementation of innovative finance models with the private sector.
• Support the scaling of IF4C projects by providing technical expertise in innovative finance, strategy, and product development.

• 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, such as technical pitches, research studies, and concept notes.
• Support the implementation of innovative financing solutions. 

• Formulate business analyses of financial markets and trends, including research on key internal and external risks and associated mitigation strategies, in the form of written reports.
• Conduct thorough assessments and feasibility analyses of prospective innovative finance instruments to be deployed, including considerations and 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.
• Working closely with the Innovative Finance Manager to support the Innovative Finance Hub in Finland on the child-lens impact investing framework and its adoption.

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:

 

1. Development of Financial Models, Structures and Concepts

• Provide strategic recommendations for innovative finance transaction structures and produce relevant written content, such as technical pitches, research studies, and concept notes.
• Manage the implementation of IF4C solutions.

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, in the form of written reports.
• Conduct thorough assessments and feasibility analyses of prospective innovative finance instruments to be deployed, including considerations and 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.

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 includes calls, meetings, and consultations, as well as potential close collaboration with various Divisions, Regional Offices and Country Offices as needed to complete the product.
• Coordinate a meeting or workshop, including the creation of the agenda, stakeholder management, documentation of outcomes, and development of post-meeting materials.

4. Content creation and Communication

• Develop IF4C video scripts for internal and external purposes.
• Create ad-hoc communication assets (e.g., ICON update, IFC Directors update, video/brochure, social media, etc.).
• Develop content for the IF4C biannual Newsletter.
• Develop briefing notes, talking points, and other communication pieces of up to two pages.
• Develop impact reporting content.

LTA CONTRACT MANAGEMENT:

Innovation Manager

 

TRAVEL:

There may be opportunities for travel, such as to meetings in Geneva during the assignment or on a per-need basis. UNICEF will cover travel expenses, so a travel budget should be included in the work order for any necessary travel.

 

ESTIMATED DURATION OF LTA:

3 years

 

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL TEMPLATE:

 Financial Proposal Template LTA Innovative Finance Consultant.pdf

 

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

• 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.

• 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.
• 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 in or knowledge of the UN system and UNICEF’s work is an asset.

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

• Excellent planning and organizing skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

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:  

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 | 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.