National Consultant (Financial and Regulatory Advisory / Blended Finance)

Job Description

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
 

Project Context and Scope

Tajikistan faces severe climate vulnerabilities, which place increasing pressure on rural livelihoods and drive higher reliance on remittances. Migrant households depend heavily on these cash flows, yet most funds are used for short-term needs, with limited access to formal financial products that could support climate-resilient investments. Women and youth, who manage households in the absence of migrant family members, face additional barriers due to limited financial literacy and reduced access to formal credit.

To address these gaps, IOM will provide financing and technical assistance to women and youth from migrant families living in climate-vulnerable rural communities to enable them to access energy-efficiency and renewable energy solutions. IOM is additionally working with an International Service Provider (ISP) to develop a concept for an innovative or blended finance mechanism to help leverage private sector funding for an innovative loan product, thereby enhancing climate change adaptation by migrant households. In parallel, IOM will work with a selected financial institution to develop an innovative financial product aimed at improving access to climate-resilient technologies, with a strong focus on women- and youth-led households.

The Consultant will support both processes by providing national-level financial expertise, ensuring regulatory alignment, and contributing technical inputs to the feasibility and refinement of financial solutions emerging from the research and loan product development.  The overall objective of the project is to bridge the gap between private sector actors, public institutions, and migrant households to support climate change adaptation efforts in Tajikistan.

Purpose of the Engagement

The purpose of this engagement is to provide national-level financial expertise to support IOM and the International Service Provider (ISP) during the initial phase of developing a blended finance mechanism and related financial product.  In this context, the Consultant will play a complementary role by contributing local financial and regulatory knowledge and technical inputs, and supporting in the stakeholder engagement process, ensuring that both the analytical work and financial product development are informed by the national context and aligned with project objectives.

Responsibilities

To support the achievement of the overall objective the selected national consultant, under the overall supervision of IOM, will execute the following tasks: 

A. Support to the International Service Provider (ISP)
(under the technical guidance of the ISP)

A.1 Support the ISP in conducting research on the blended finance landscape in the Republic of Tajikistan, including:

• collecting and reviewing relevant national documents, including laws, regulations, strategies, and plans that are relevant to innovative or blended finance in Tajikistan in order to identify regulatory opportunities and barriers; 
• assessing the investment interests and financial capacity of Tajik migrants and their families; 
• examining successful migrant-focused investment models in Tajikistan;
• exploring possible partnerships, especially with financial institutions and investors (venture capital firms, investment funds); 
• analysing potential financial instruments that enable climate adaptation in Tajikistan;
• facilitating engagement with national stakeholders, as required, to gather relevant data and insights; 
• contributing to the preparation of the Background Report by providing national-level inputs and validating findings.

The ISP will review the Background Report developed by the Consultant and provide feedback, which should be reflected in the report, and then integrate the final, verified national content into its overall research report.

A.2 Facilitate stakeholder consultations in the Republic of Tajikistan, including:

• facilitating consultations with key stakeholders, including government entities, private sector representatives, financial institutions, development partners, and migrant households to seek their feedback about the concept of an innovative or blended finance mechanism; 

• coordinating with the ISP and IOM project team to ensure smooth delivery of the consultations; 

• capturing key feedback, insights, and recommendations from participants; 

• preparing consultation reports summarizing the discussions and key findings from each consultation. 

B. Support to IOM in engagement with the financial institution

(under the supervision of IOM)

B.1 Participate in the development of the financial product, including:

• participating in technical discussions and working group meetings with the partner financial institution; 

• providing inputs on the relevance, feasibility, and regulatory aspects of the proposed financial product; 

• contributing to the refinement of product features to ensure alignment with project objectives and target group needs; 

• identifying potential risks, constraints, and opportunities related to the financial product. 

B.2 Support the partner financial institution to incorporate beneficiary perspectives into financial product design, including:

• supporting IOM in gathering feedback from target beneficiaries, as required; 
• providing inputs to ensure that the financial product reflects the needs and capacities of migrant households, including women and youth; 
• contributing to the adjustment of product features based on beneficiary feedback and local context.

Deliverables and Expected results (Timetable)

The anticipated duration for this exercise is 6 months. Below is a proposed timetable for each envisioned task.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in finance, economics, business administration, public policy or related field. A master’s degree is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in consulting or financial institutions, with a track record in banking or microfinance.

• Familiarity with blended finance mechanisms, impact investing, climate finance instruments (e.g., green energy finance, concessional loans, guarantees), and innovative financial structures.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting research (data collection and analysis).

• Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations involving government officials, private sector actors, financial institutions, development partners, and community representatives.

• Familiarity with Tajikistan’s financial and investment regulatory environment, migration dynamics and/or climate vulnerabilities.

• Experience working with migrant communities and/or diaspora populations, including understanding of remittance flows and household economics is an advantage.

• Experience integrating gender analysis into assessments, research, or program design — particularly women's economic empowerment - is an advantage.

• Experience producing high-quality analytical reports and presentations to stakeholders.

• Previous experience working with or cooperating with UN agencies is an advantage.

Skills

• Strong financial and credit risk analyses skills.
• Ability to coordinate with financial institutions and government stakeholders.
• Excellent drafting, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Languages

For this consultancy, fluency in Tajik and Russian, and minimum level of English required.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, 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.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

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