Background:
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
The “Flagship Initiative Surging Women’s Employment by 5% before 2030 in the Green, STEM, and Care Economies” seeks to increase women’s employment in the Arab States through innovative and collaborative approaches across governments, international financial institutions, the private sector, UN agencies, NGOs, and media. The “Program Lead – Finance for Development” will play a pivotal role in driving the initiative’s engagement on financing for key employment interventions in the Green and Care Economy in the Arab States. By developing strategic partnerships, for securing financing from financial institutions, including global, regional and national banks (development banks and commercial banks) as well as private sector investors.
Under the supervision of the Director of Women’s Employment in the Green, STEM, and Care Economy, the Program Lead will engage with finance entities and private investors to structure and secure the Flagship’s private capital investments and blended financing arrangements for the employment-generating enterprises and initiatives. This includes developing investment pipelines and securing private sector and financial institutions investors. The Lead will also provide technical support in the development and management of UN Women’s strategic partnerships and resource mobilization strategy.
Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work:
Lead and coordinate UN Women’s strategic partnerships in the Arab States region
Map relevant actors, networks, and initiatives in the private and finance sector; Lead new and innovative partnerships with financial institutions and private sector as to secure financing for the defined employment initiatives in the Green and Care Economy; Engage with and/or supporting the Director, Flagship Initiative in engaging with potential private investors, impact funds, and development finance institutions (DFIs) interested in the employment generation initiatives in the Green and Care Economy mainly in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon. But potentially in other countries of the Arab States; Secure private investors, impact funds, and development finance institutions (DFIs) interested in the employment generation initiatives in the Green and Care Economy; Manage through technically supporting and at times leading programmatic and operational roll out and implementation of the employment generation initiatives in the Green and care Economy.Build trust and maintain effective relationships with Private and Public Investors, Donors and Financial institutions
Manage the overall Public and Private Partners Portfolio of the Flagship Initiative; Provide comprehensive updates to UN Women Public and Private Partners on the progress of the Flagship Initiative; Provide substantive technical support to the Director of Women’s Employment in the Green, STEM, and Care Economy in the preparation of missions, meetings, and other consultations with private sector and financial institutions, including the preparation of notes, briefs, and other materials; Establish and manage a partnership platform of potential private sector investors, including profiles and databases (e.g., contact management).Participate in knowledge building and sharing and advocacy efforts
Contribute substantively to the development of knowledge products and mechanisms to effectively position UN Women in the region wherever possible; Share knowledge and enhance organizational learning among UN Women regional and field offices through the development and use of on-line tools, templates, tips, mechanisms and guidelines; Monitor emerging issues that could affect partnerships and resource contributions at the national or regional levels (risk management).The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel:
This is an office-based consultancy.
Competencies:
Core Values:
Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity.Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:
Functional Competencies:
Demonstrated ability to secure financing and investments for development and employment initiatives; Proven networking skills, and ability to mobilize support on behalf of UN Women; Strong negotiating skills; Strong IT skills, including databases, extranet and office software packages; Strong analytical and interpersonal skills.Required Qualifications:
Education and Certification:
Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, business management, social sciences, public administration, international relations, communications, women's studies, or a related field is required; A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in financing for sustainable development initiatives, and/or employment generation initiatives and/or the Green or care sector, is required; Substantial managerial experience from multi-stakeholder program management, is required; Experience working in or for the Middle East is desired; Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, and experience in handling of web-based management systems is required; Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.Languages:
Fluency in English is required; Knowledge of another official UN language such as Arabic or French is desirable.Statements :
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.
Diversity and inclusion:
At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.
If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (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.)
Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.