Consultancy, GIGA Finance Specialist ,11.5 months, Remote

We are seeking a consultant to advise on and coordinate the development of the financing strategies and working closely with UNICEF Office of Innovation and other key internal and external stakeholders. This work will be an essential input into the process for identifying and structuring the innovative financing instruments for the digital infrastructure finance. The work will include assessment and selection of the best technical, economic and financing solution for schools connectivity projects.

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, innovate

UNICEF has a 70-year history of innovating for children. We believe that new approaches, partnerships and technologies that support realizing children’s rights are critical to improving their lives.

The Office of Innovation is a creative, interactive, and agile team in UNICEF. We sit at a unique intersection, where an organization that works on huge global issues meets the startup thinking, the technology, and the partners that turn this energy into scalable solutions.

UNICEF's Office of Innovation creates opportunities for the world's children by focusing on where new markets can meet their vital needs. We do this by:

• Connecting youth communities (or more broadly -- anyone disconnected or under-served) to decision-makers, and to each other, to deliver informed, relevant and sustained programmes that build better, stronger futures for children.
• Provoking change for children through an entrepreneurial approach -- in a traditionally risk-averse field -- to harness rapidly moving innovations and apply them to serve the needs of all children.
• Creating new models of partnership that leverage core business values across the public, private and academic sectors in order to deliver fast, and lasting, results for children.

How can you make a difference?

We are seeking a consultant to advise on and coordinate the development of the financing strategies and working closely with UNICEF Office of Innovation and other key internal and external stakeholders. This work will be an essential input into the process for identifying and structuring the innovative financing instruments for the digital infrastructure finance. The work will include assessment and selection of the best technical, economic and financing solution for schools connectivity projects.

Main responsibilities include but are not limited to:

    Structuring the innovative financing instruments:

• Giga Connectivity Bond:

1. Support the preparation of the bond issuance roadmap
2. Assist with the resource mobilisation plan, e.g. identification of the donors pool and negotiation of the long term financial commitments (pledges);
3. Support various workstreams related to the bond issuance, such as negotiation with banks, assisting the credit rating process, preparation of the Requests for Funding which includes the financing amount, details of the project pipelines and disbursement schedule.

• Assist with the design and implementation of other financing instruments.

   Connectivity projects planning and implementation:

• Prepare the Giga – projects pipeline, including:

(a) identification of potential and eligible connectivity projects in emerging and developing countries;

(b) drafting of the TOR’s for the feasibility studies;

(c) develop structures and business plans enabling private sector participation in the connectivity projects;

(d) assisting the Country Offices in the procurement process, selection and technical evaluation of the potential bidders for delivering of the feasibility studies services;

(e) review of the deliverables supplied by the selected consulting firms in relation to the feasibility studies;

(f) preparation of the final project documentation and presenting to the key stakeholders for approval.

       Knowledge sharing

• Provide oversight and advice in relation to innovative financing instruments and Giga projects implementation within the organization as well as to external stakeholders.

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

• An advanced degree, or equivalent, in Business Administration, Economics, Finance or related fields.

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

• Minimum 5 years of professional work experience in infrastructure project finance in emerging and developing countries, including hands-on experience in structuring various financing instruments, including debt and equity products.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in financial modelling and carrying out feasibility studies

• Experience in consulting and advising on relevant financial areas
• Experience in financial analysis
• Experience in a global development finance institution is an asset 

• Experience in telecommunication infrastructure sector is an asset
• Demonstrated strong writing and presentation skills in English and the ability to comminicate effectively to management
• Ability to plan and implement projects in coordination with multiple stakeholders
• Ability to work with a diverse team in a rapidly-changing work environment and adapt to unforeseen changes
• Knowledge of UN system is an advantage
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Thinks and acts strategically (II)                      
• Drive to achieve results for impact (II) 
• Works collaboratively with others (II)                                   

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles 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.

Payment details and further considerations

• Monthly payment, based on monthly tasks and progress reports, approved upon monthly review with supervisor.
• Consultant is responsible for his/her own health and travel insurance
• Consultant is eligible for standard DSA for all work-related travel
• Consultant is eligible for roundtrip airfare to and from the duty station at the beginning and end of the assignment.

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.