Consultancy Title: Investment Agenda Consultant ( 4 months)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, a Commitment

UNICEF Jordan is looking to expand its footprint in the youth development arena by making Jordan one of the Generation Unlimited frontrunner countries and draw links to Generation Equality and the Gender Gap Accelerator of the World Economic Forum.

UNICEF Jordan is looking to explore innovative financing options to fund youth development activities in Jordan. Effective in July 2020, UNICEF has agreed to host the Education Outcomes Fund [EOF]. In its role as host, UNICEF will have the opportunity to technically collaborate with EOF on outcome-based financing in education. Additionally, UNICEF is partnering with the Generation Equality public-private platform for bold, 5-yr gender equality impact, including the development and public launch of a blended-finance outcome fund to build the ecosystem of robust solutions to addressing the gender digital divide learning to earning gaps.

Generation Unlimited

Generation Unlimited (GenU) is a global, multi-sector partnership that empowers young people to become productive and engaged members of society by connecting secondary-age education and training to employment and entrepreneurship. Generation Unlimited believes that if the largest generation of young people in history is prepared for the transition to work, the potential for global progress is unlimited.

Launched at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, in September 2018, Generation Unlimited has generated interest from government and leaders from industry and other key sectors committed to cohere efforts around young people for large-scale impact.

GenU takes a two-pronged approach to advancing the agency and outcomes of young people:

1. Country investment agendas: a portfolio of scalable and bankable initiatives at country level that can attract public-private partnership and investment for better education, skills, entrepreneurship and employment for millions of young people.

2. Global breakthroughs: topics with potential products and scalable models that tackle challenges common across multiple geographies

Generation Equality

A 5-year (2021-2026) public-private advocacy for action platform for bold change in long-standing gender equality divides. UNICEF has a leadership role on the Action Coalition for Technology and Innovation to advance gender equality, alongside other partners including Microsoft, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Government of Finland, and Social Builder. A soft-launch of some of the promising commitments was launched in a Davos Dialogue joint partner announcement in January 2021.

Joint partner commitments will be publicly announced at a high-level event in June 2021, including the design and market launch of a blended financing instrument to identify and scale promising models that address the gender digital divide gaps in connectivity, safety and skills. This design builds on a year of activity led by UNICEF, Volta Capital and GenderSmart- see op-ed by UNICEF Executive Director Fore as an example of phase one findings.

How can you make a difference?

OBJECTIVE OF ASSIGNMENT:

This Terms of Reference is to solicit the support of an Consultant to construct Jordan’s Country Investment Agenda that addresses the needs and bolsters efforts (and particularly private sector involvement) in Jordan, while adhering to GenU’s global strategy, and connecting to synergy with Generation Equality.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The Consultant will play a key role in developing the adaptation of the GenU, Education Outcome Fund, and Generation Equality opportunities within the Jordanian context. All deliverables and their descriptions are outlined below.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

A. Foundational Analysis

• Thoroughly research the Generation Unlimited initiative by reviewing existing literature available online in the annual reports and the GenU website and provided by UNICEF, including; the strategic analysis, effective ways to drive multi-sector partnerships, the Theory of Change, the operating model, the results framework and the investment case.
• Research existing GenU country investment agendas to gain an understanding of what different country programs look like via online research and conducting calls with relevant program heads.
• Research the Education Outcome Fund (EOF) to gain an understanding of the mechanism and what it would mean to launch a country EOF by conducting talks with the EOF team in addition to online research.
• Research the Generation Equality Action Coalition of Technology and Innovation blueprint, and related UNICEF/Volta Capital/GenderSmart activity summaries to gain an understanding of the specific gender equity gaps in the skills to work pathway, and the mechanism of innovative finance as one solution.

• Discuss with relevant key players in Jordan gaps in the youth development agenda and scope what different programs are already fulfilling.

  Deliverable

Report of findings to include a mapping of GenU programs and the possible modalities for collaboration with EOF and Generation Equality for a Jordan specific fund, in addition to a high-level diagnostic analysis of local needs, gaps in the ecosystem, and promising models to be scaled.

Provide a list of promising skills development models to be scaled and to receive funding from EOF and/or other innovative financing structures.

Provide a list of key stakeholders to engaged as advisor, champions within the process and suggest advisory group set up.

B. Synthesis of Strategy

• Based on the foundational analysis conducted, develop recommendations and articulate the value proposition of Jordan GenU roadmap that intentionally addresses gender equality gaps. The report will also capture the government’s areas of focus in support of young people and identify areas where GenU can support ongoing efforts.

Deliverable & Timeline:

Submit to UNICF Management recommendation report and proposed action plan to be approved.

Submit summary concept note to be used for partner discussions and engagement

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

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in relevant field, such as investment banking, economics, finance.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of working experience in impact investment, within the private sector and UN.
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization including NGOs.
• Experience in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, investment and finance and youth development.
• Demonstrated track record in developing, designing and managing relevant programs.
• Successful fund raising experience and mobilizing scalable partnerships, through innovative finance model development

Languages: Proficiency in English and Arabic spoken and written required

EVALUATION PROCESS:

A two-stage procedure shall be utilized in assessing the proposals, with assessment of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. Applications shall therefore contain the following required documentation:

Technical proposal

• • A technical proposal that includes a brief cover letter and understanding of the assignment is required.
  • Based on the proposed timetable laid down in the TOR, a proposal of the detailed methodology, tentative work plan and time schedule is required.
  • Updated profile/ CV listing similar experiences/assignments and highlighting those focused-on strategic planning and business processes, programme framework development.

Financial Offer

• • A financial proposal with a breakdown of all costs that are to be charged to UNICEF. This includes estimated number of working days, consultancy fees, all office administrative costs, international and local travel costs, as well as any additional requirements needed to complete project or that might have an impact on cost or delivery of products. Travel expenses should be based on the most direct route and economy fare. Quotations for business class fare will not be considered.

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.

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.

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.

Child Safeguarding remarks: This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/ assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.