Background

Launched at the United Nations in 2008, the Business Call to Action (BCtA) aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by challenging companies to develop inclusive business models that engage people at the base of the economic pyramid (BoP) – people with less than US$8 per day in purchasing power – as consumers, producers, suppliers and distributors of goods and services.

The BCtA is a unique multilateral alliance among donor governments – including the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with the United Nations Development Programme, which hosts the secretariat. It also benefits from the collaboration of leading global institutions such as the United Nations Global Compact.

Over 170 companies, ranging from multinationals to social enterprises, and working in 65 countries, have responded to the BCtA by committing to improve the lives and livelihoods of millions in developing countries through access to markets, financial services, affordable healthcare, water and sanitation, education and other critical services. BCtA member companies are market leaders that provide examples of successful, profitable and scalable models for reaching poor communities and contributing to global development.

The Business Development and Corporate Engagement Consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Manager of the Business Call to Action. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Business Development and Corporate Engagement Consultant will deliver the following services to the BCtA Secretariat under the supervision of the Programme Manager of the Business Call to Action:

Corporate engagement and outreach partnerships

• Carry out market and industry research to identify private sector entities with innovative and quality IB models and build an effective pipeline for engagement and membership.
• Conduct targeted, pro-active outreach to private sector companies and partners to strengthen BCtA’s global visibility and expand BCtA membership base.
• Support targeted companies in the BCtA application process by identifying eligible initiatives, assisting with the application submission, and managing the application review process.
• Identify and design strategy for renewal of commitments and continued member engagement from existing members.
• Develop marketing pitches for tailored audiences including business target groups (MNCs, LNCs and social enterprises) based on the BCtA’s value proposition.
• Organize and participate in relevant global and regional events to increase membership base, build partnerships and deploy BCtA’s service offerings and tools.

Due diligence, risk assessment and risk management

• Conduct due diligence and risk assessment of private sector entities for potential engagement, pipeline build-up and membership in accordance with the UNDP and donor guidelines and policies.
• Develop risk management and mitigation strategies for the new member portfolio and create a database of risk assessment profiles.
• Conduct assessment of new member applications against the BCtA’s eligibility criteria, membership standards and commitment to the best business and ESG practices as they relate to the IB commitments.
• Deliver guidance to the member companies on membership standards and best ESG and management practices.

Business development, capacity building and knowledge sharing

• Work with the BCtA Secretariat on the development, customization and deployment of the BCtA tools, products and services.
• Design training and communications materials for business development and capacity building activities.
• Conduct business development and capacity building activities on IB and SDGs-related topics and ESG and business management practices, including in collaboration with global and regional partners.
• Extract and analyze best practices, portfolio analysis, industry trends, innovations and lessons learnt through business development and capacity building activities to contribute to the creation, sharing and dissemination of BCtA flagship knowledge products.

Deliverables

Reporting Requirements

• The consultant shall report to the Programme Manager of the BCtA. The consultant shall provide monthly updates on progress made in terms of the above deliverables.
• The consultant shall support the BCtA Secretariat in other relevant outreach tasks that may arise during the assignment period.
• The Consultant shall be ready to undertake international travel on behalf of the Secretariat during the assignment period if required and the travel expenses will be covered following UNDP rules and procedures.  Missions related costs should NOT be included in the financial proposal as they will be covered separately as per UNDP rules.
• Payments for work completed shall be made on a monthly basis based on deliverables submitted and deemed satisfactory by the Secretariat.
• The assignment requires full presence at the BCtA base in Istanbul, Turkey for the duration of the contract.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies:

• Strong outreach and advocacy skills in private sector and development issues;
• In-depth understanding of inclusive market development, current trends driving value creation, inclusive business models in various sectors and industries as well, inclusive business maturity, business sustainability issues and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework to engage private sector companies in inclusive business initiatives that contribute to the SDGs and benefit the base of the pyramid;
• Clear understanding of the business drivers of companies operating in developing countries and engaging the base of the pyramid populations in their value chains as well as familiarity with value chain innovation and technology innovation to promote inclusive business;
• Knowledge of sustainable and responsible business practices as well as ESG standards and policies;
• Solid technical competencies in risk assessment and due diligence of private sector companies;
• Skills in identifying companies with high quality, innovative and scalable inclusive business initiatives and ability to employ a tailored, persistent and practical approach to company outreach and recruitment;
• Strong technical competencies in developing and deploying training modules, tools; events and capacity building activities organization;
• Knowledge of international donors, business sustainability organizations, DFIs, corporate standards and SDGs actors, networks and associations, NGOs, global media and other actors working in the private sector in developing countries to promote inclusive business;
• Willingness to pro-actively share knowledge and experience;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English; and
• Strong analytical and writing skills.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Productive and efficient worker, highly motivated;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks;
• Strong analytical, research and writing skills and demonstrated ability to think strategically;
• Performance-oriented and focused on results;
• Persistence and willingness to follow through;
• Strong advocacy and outreach skills and ability to communicate clearly and quickly;
• Ability to take instructions and to learn on the job;
• Ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly, demonstrating strong presentation skills in meetings, and adapting style and content to different audiences.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

A Master's degree in international relations, international development, public policy, or other relevant fields such as social science, economics, business administration.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of combined experience in the private and in the development sector working on private sector issues;
• Previous experience working with UN or similar organizations desirable;
• Demonstrated knowledge of inclusive business/social business/shared value/Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/market-based approaches to development;
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and experience working with companies with existing inclusive business initiatives and the relevant supporting inclusive business ecosystem desirable;
• Demonstrated experience in conducting environmental, social and governance (ESG) due diligence, risk assessment and risk management of private sector entities;
• Experience using UN system due diligence guidance considered an asset;
• Proven track record of developing training modules and tools and delivering trainings, workshops, webinars, etc.;
• Must be proficient with CRM and data management.

Language skills:

• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English;
• Working knowledge of other UN official language(s) is desirable.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 and cover letter desk review and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job based on the desk review will be invited for an interview.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

• Criteria A – max. points: 9
  • Demonstrated track record of successful corporate engagement, private sector recruitment towards membership-type platforms and partnerships building; (max 3 points)
  • Knowledge of inclusive business/social business/shared value/Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/market-based approaches to development; (max 3 points)
  • knowledge and experience working with companies with existing inclusive business initiatives and the relevant supporting inclusive business ecosystem (max 3 points)
• Criteria B – max points: 8

Demonstrated experience of conducting private sector ESG due diligence and risk assessment as well as developing risk mitigation strategies, and experience using UN system due diligence guidance

• Criteria C – max points: 8

Demonstrated experience of designing and implementing business development trainings and capacity building activities as they relate to inclusive business/shared value and SDGs

• Criteria D – max points: 3

Desk review of brief methodology of how to approach this work, as requested on the Application Procedures below

• Criteria E – max points 7 (Interview)
  • Strong advocacy and outreach skills and ability to communicate clearly and quickly; (2 points)
  • Strong analytical, research and writing skills and demonstrated ability to think strategically; (1.5 points)
  • Clear understanding of the business drivers of companies operating in developing countries and engaging the base of the pyramid populations in their value chains; (2 points)
  • Persistence and willingness to follow through;  (1 points)
  • Working knowledge of other UN official languages. (0.5 points)

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points

Only candidates who will get at least 70% of points in Criteria A, B, C, and D will be considered for the Interview; and only candidates who will get at least 70% of points in the Interview will be considered for financial evaluation.

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees
  (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
• Financial Proposal* - specifying a) total lump sum amount in US dollars for the tasks specified in this announcement, b) travel from/to the duty station.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). 

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Please note that UNDP is not in the position to accept incomplete applications - please make sure that your application contains all details as specified above in this notice.