Consultant, Africa Programming and SME Engagement

Result of Service

The Consultant, Africa Programming and SME Engagement will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the regional strategy for programme development and delivery across UN Global Compact programmatic experience channels in the region, including the UN Global Compact Academy, Peer Learning Groups and Accelerator. Special emphasis will be placed on delivering programming for the SME-membership base of the UN Global Compact in Africa, focusing on the most relevant areas, namely sustainability reporting and due diligence assessment.

The Consultant will be responsible for delivering two issue-specific Peer Learning Groups, supporting the launch of the revised Communication on Progress, supporting the implementation of Accelerators, and driving the increased regionalization and usage of the Global Compact Academy.

¿ Build the capacity of SMEs and MNCs on the Ten Principles

¿ Increase scale and impact of capacity building programmes across the region

¿ Build cross-sector community through Peer Learning Sessions

¿ Two active partnerships support set up in Africa to support programme delivery and SME investment opportunities

Work Location

UN Global Compact Africa Hub (Abuja)

Expected duration

UP TO I YEAR

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Global Compact is the world’s largest sustainability initiative with over 16,000 participating companies in over 160 countries and nearly 70 Local Networks around the world. As a special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption.

The Consultant, Africa Programming and SMEs Engagement will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the regional strategy for programme development and delivery across UN Global Compact programmatic experience channels in the region, including the UN Global Compact Academy, Peer Learning Groups and Accelerator. Special emphasis will be placed ondelivering programming for the SME-membership base of the UN Global Compact in Africa, focusing on the most relevant areas, namely sustainability reporting and due diligence assessment.

The consultant will work closely with the Global Compact Local Networks in Africa to:

¿ Drive programme delivery for the region to increase access, translation, programme customization and the development of context specific programmes aligned with regional priorities for all African participant companies

¿ Manage the coordination and development of customized regional and local experiences including the UN Global Compact Academy, Peer Learning Groups, and regional Accelerator tracks with priority given to the prgrammes

¿ Facilitate workshops and meetings on behalf of Local Networks and regionally as needed on priority topics including for large companies and SMEs on climate action, gender equality, human rights, labour rights, anti-corruption, sustainability reporting and the Communication on Progress, and the SDGs in coordination with issue experts

¿ Support delivery of SME programming in Africa Local Networks, including SME Peer Learning Groups and the uptake of the SME Learning Journey

¿ Coordinate Local Network input on programmatic priorities on an ongoing basis to generate regional insight and lessons learned shaping the regional and global programme delivery portfolio for all companies

¿ Identify and manage regional delivery/content partnerships with key partners in the region, including UN agencies

¿ Liaise with the Local Networks Participant Engagement Managers to contextualize SME-specific value proposition and outreach

¿ Build SME engagement support plan for Africa building on available programs in development (Academy learning journey for SMEs, PLGs, CoP support, Gender)

¿ Build local partnerships to support delivery and business development of SMEs – such as within supply chain pilots and ecosystems (examples are IFC, ICC, ITC but this is not an exhaustive list)

¿ Provide day to day programme delivery support to Networks

¿ Coordinate the translation of relevant materials

¿ Provide monitoring and evaluation on programmes in Africa

¿ Contribute to internal and external communications on outcomes and impacts of programmes implemented in the region for various purposes, including capacity building, participants recruitment and donor outreach

¿ Serve as the regional focal point for all digital platforms and tools utilized for programme delivery

¿ Collect key business insights and regional best practices across the Ten Principles and SDGs to inform global-local programme delivery

Qualifications/special skills

¿ Ability to manage programmes for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable work plans; and prepare programme reports in a timely manner;
¿ Good interpersonal communication skills;
¿ Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and establish partnership with multiple stakeholders (business, CSO and within the UN System);
¿ Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
¿ Ability to work effectively as part of a team;
¿ Familiarity with national legislation on SMEs;
¿ Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills;
¿ Demonstrated ethics and integrity;
¿ Excellent usage of computers and office software packages.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Additional Information

Other skills and competencies:

¿ Ability to manage programmes for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable work plans; and prepare programme reports in a timely manner;

¿ Good interpersonal communication skills;

¿ Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and establish partnership with multiple stakeholders (business, CSO and within the UN System);

¿ Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;

¿ Ability to work effectively as part of a team;

¿ Familiarity with national legislation on SMEs;

¿ Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills;

¿ Demonstrated ethics and integrity;

¿ Excellent usage of computers and office software packages.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.