The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

UNCDF’s financing models work through financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, and localized investments, that can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development. UNCDF identifies market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs.

In 2018, UNCDF in partnership with UN Women created UNITLIFE. UNCDF hosts UNITLIFE’s Secretariat function, in light of UNCDF’s expertise in development impact investments and partnerships in digital financial partners in both the public and private sector.

UNITLIFE is the United Nations initiative dedicative to fighting chronic malnutrition through innovation. Chronic malnutrition is a preventable disease caused by an inadequate nutrient intake in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life (from conception until age two). Globally, 1 out of 5 children under 5 years old suffer from chronic malnutrition:  they are stunted and face largely irreversible life-long consequences on their physical, cognitive developments and immune systems. They are unable to reach their full potential to succeed in school, earn more as adults and support the economic development of their countries.

At country-level, the estimated cost of child undernutrition averages 10% of GDP. In order to reach the 2012 World Health Assembly TARGET of reducing stunting by 40 percent by 2025, annual financing needs to increase from $2.6 billion in 2016 to $7.6 billion on average. Innovative sources of financing such as UNITLIFE can contribute to closing the funding gap. UNITLIFE’s objective is to bring in new resources to prevent chronic malnutrition and unlock the potential that millions of children would otherwise be robbed of.

To do so, UNITLIFE seeks to mobilize innovative financing approaches and instruments including, but not limited to developing a voluntary micro-donations platforms for payment transactions, leveraging sports events and star power to drive social giving, and devising creative donation matching and revenue-sharing schemes with private partners. In particular, UNITLIFE’s funding model base seeks to leverage the power of digital transactions from e-commerce and associated sectors. This is the underlying concept behind the application of innovative finance for UNITLIFE — shaving small amounts off targeted transactions and channel them towards development actions that respond to chronic malnutrition needs in developing countries. The funds raised through these instruments will be directly channeled to funding high impact projects addressing the immediate effects and root causes of chronic malnutrition.

Objective of the Assignment: 

Working under the supervision and guidance of UNITLIFE Programme Manager, P-5, in close collaboration with UNITLIFE’s Portfolio Specialist, UNITLIFE’s Communication Consultant, UNCDF Policy, Partnerships and Communications (PPC) Unit, and UNITLIFE’s fund manager at the Multi-Partner Trust Fund office of UNDP (MPTF), the UNITLIFE innovative finance Consultant will help weave collaborative relations that enable UNITLIFE to effectively fulfil its mission and specific objectives. He/she will identify and nurture such relations focusing on sustainable and innovative funding for UNITLIFE. He/She will focus on developing such partnerships in Asia.

Scope of Work

Summary of key functions:

• Responsible for generating, sustaining and growing programme funding and developing innovative financing streams with corporations, organizations, and foundations, in alignment with UNITLIFE’s fundraising strategy.
• Consolidate and align UNITLIFE’s innovative partners research with UNITLIFE’s quantitative fundraising objectives.
• Lead the research, design, and formalization of UNITLIFE’s innovative partnerships in the region of focus.

Key results expected:

Lead innovation and public/private partnerships, reaching into the private and philanthropic and technology spheres to develop new ways of working and mobilize funding for development.

• Suggest and implement strategies to secure funding. Constantly update fundraising plans, in close collaboration with UNITLIFE’s Operations Analyst. Ensure that funding infrastructure is attractive to potential donors, by creatively seeking the most efficient funding schemes.
• Lead and implement resource mobilization in the region of focus. Oversee new resource mobilization efforts to ensure identification and sourcing of new partners and funders using innovative financing mechanisms and technologies.
• Prospect for potential new partnership opportunities, analyzing their feasibility, shaping specific opportunities, conducting due diligence exercises together with UNCDF’s Policy and Partnership team and the MPTF’s team, preparing funding agreements, follow-up with the agreements’ signature by MPTF’s Executive Director, and ensure the appropriate technical mechanisms are in place.
• Work closely with UNITLIFE’s Communication Consultant on crowdfunding initiative and to ensure alignments between UNITLIFE’s messaging and innovative finance partners positioning.
• Provide strategic advice and policy recommendations with a view to positioning UNITLIFE strongly;

Lead the development and implementation of UNITLIFE programme innovative finance strategy, together with the UNITLIFE programme team and UNCDF management.

• Suggest and implement strategies to secure funding from the region of interest. Constantly update fundraising plans, in close collaboration with UNITLIFE’s Operations Analyst. Ensure that funding infrastructure is attractive to potential donors, by creatively seeking the most efficient funding schemes.
• Provides technical support during negotiation processes at the corporate level (HQ) with key partners.
• Enhances collaboration to capitalize on strategic partnerships and resource mobilization opportunities.
• Provide support in coordination of UNITLIFE’s Advisory Council’s meetings.

Effective Internal and External Relations;

• Build relationships with key private sector partners so they are aware of chronic malnutrition  and its impact in the development context.
• Proactively work to influence positively partner’s decision-making processes in relation to UNITLIFE’s funding;
• Build and maintain UNITLIFE’s visibility and reputation at relevant partner conferences, financial conferences and investor events at regional level;
• Build, nurture and maintain effective internal and external working relations, including with relevant UN Offices regionally and Practice Area Leaders responsible for specific donor countries and/or partners in the private sector.
• Working closely with UNITLIFE’s Programme Development Consultant, maintain a database of contacts for new partners and other relevant stakeholders in the region.

Impact of Results

The work of the Innovative finance specialist will have a significant impact on the UNITLIFE programme’s sustainability and positioning among key private sector partners in the region of focus.

Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following within the framework of the consultancy:

(i) A work plan indicating timebound milestone deliverables and list of required meetings and consultation to enable the work to be completed;

(ii) A comprehensive strategic resource mobilization plan including approved partnerships plan mapping;

(iii) Approved proposal of at least one identified candidate from the region to join UNITLIFE advisory council;

(iv) Delivery of the at least 3 approved concrete partnerships in innovative finance space.

Note on Travel: Frequent duty travels may take place as part of the position. All duty travels should be pre-approved by the UNITLIFE Programme Manager and will be compensated on reimbursable basis and following the UNDP/UNCDF rules and regulations which states that consultants shall only be paid the most direct and most economical ticket, as will be quoted by the official UN travel agency.  Any amount in excess of the said quotation, such as class and airline preference of the consultant, shall be borne by the consultant and the daily living allowance will be paid in amounts not exceeding the UN established Rate.

Deliverables and Payment Terms

The following terms of payment based upon the above-mentioned deliverables will be applicable for this Terms of Reference. Payments will be based upon a percentile of the contracted lump sum for each area as tabulated. The payment will only be made up on satisfactory completion and submission of the assignment and deliverables.

Deliverable 1: A work plan indicating timebound milestone deliverables and list of required meetings and consultation to enable the work to be completed (10%); indicative completion date 15 April, 2021.

Deliverable 2: A comprehensive strategic resource mobilization plan including approved partnerships plan mapping (20%); indicative completion date 15 July, 2021.

Deliverable 3: Approved proposal of at least one identified candidate from the region to join UNITLIFE advisory council (20%); indicative completion date 15 September, 2021.

Deliverable 4: Delivery of the at least 3 approved concrete partnerships in innovative finance space (50%); indicative completion date 15 February, 2021.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• The consultant will primarily be reporting to the UNITLIFE Programme Manager, who will provide overall supervision of the consultancy and approve key deliverables.
• Payments will be made based on the percentage of contract price, in line with the payment schedule above, and upon confirmation of UNITLIFE Programme Manager that the individual has delivered on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner based on the completed deliverables stated under the Section 3 above. 
• Consultancy fees will be paid upon: (i) Submission of Certificate of Payment (COP) duly approved by the UNITLIFE Programme Manager (indicating completion of deliverables), and (ii) Documented evidences of having delivered the outputs due on the target days of completion, duly accepted in writing by the UNITLIFE Programme Manager. 
• Final payment shall require a performance evaluation of the consultant duly accomplished and signed by the UNITLIFE Programme Manager.

Application 

Interested individuals should submit the following as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability;
• Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies and in relation to the TOR, earliest availability and a proposed schedule for consultancy;
• Curriculum Vitae or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as names and contact details of at least 3 professional referees; (e-mail addresses, telephone numbers).
• Signed Financial proposal for the full assignment outlining: Total professional fee (including professional fees. Other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc.). Please use the form available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916). 

Failure to submit all the above mentioned documents may result in rejection of the application.

Please note that UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visas for consultants. Consultants are responsible for securing their work documentation. In the case of national consultants, applicants that are not nationals of the duty station requested will have to prove their residence status.

If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNCDF under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNCDF. 

Evaluation

Applications will be rated on both technical and financial submissions. The following selection method will be used: Highest rated proposal using the combined scoring method, which assigns the weight distribution between the technical and financial proposals. The overall combined score will be 100 points, where weight distribution shall be 70% technical (30% desk review + 40% interview) and 30% financial.

The Technical Evaluation will entail three key steps, as follows:

Step 1: Longlisting

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the minimum criteria listed under education and experience will be longlisted.

• Advanced university (Masters equivalent) degree in economics, finance, business administration, development, social sciences, international relations, marketing, or related fields.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in progressively responsible positions in building resource mobilization partnerships in the private sector.
• Residing currently in China

Step 2: Shortlisting by Desk review (Maximum 100 points X 30%)

UNCDF will conduct a desk review process to shortlist and technically evaluate the candidates as per the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience in designing complex public-private transactions in the private sector (max 20 points)
• Experience in carrying such transactions in China (max 10 points).
• Demonstrated track record in innovative transactions for resource mobilization for a global development challenge (max 30 points).
• Demonstrated experience of participation in meetings with high level officials and private sector leaders (max 15 points)
• Proven experience in utilizing digital channels for new digital funding options (max 15 points).

• Fluency in Mandarin and in English (max 10 points).

As applicable, only the first top 5 ranked applicants achieving a minimum 70 points shall be invited for an interview.

Step 3: Technical Interviews (Maximum 100 points X 40%)

A competency-based Interview shall be conducted with the top five candidates who score the highest in Step 2 (minimum of 70 points). Candidates will be tested on the same key work areas, in greater depth, with the same weighting, namely:

• Relevant experience
• Sector Technical Knowledge 
• Understanding of the assignment

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Step 2: Desk Review and Step 3: Technical Interview will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

Step 4: Financial Evaluation

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

Lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%.

Step 5: Award Criteria:

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

(i) Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and

(ii) Having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%) and financial criteria (30%).

Both individual consultants and individual employed by a company or institution are welcome to apply.

Any individual employed by a company or institution who would like to submit an offer in response to a Procurement Notice for IC must do so in their individual capacity (providing a CV so that their qualifications may be judged accordingly).

Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNCDF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Functional competencies:

• Strong knowledge of the business model of capital markets, private equity, the digital banking and fintech sectors, e-commerce companies, and telecommunications companies is required for this position.
• Knowledge of the global development financing system, capital investments, results-based financing and official development assistance, is an advantage.
• Solid knowledge of relevant technological solutions and systems, including the use of web-based solutions, crowd-funding and digital funding solutions, as well as innovative schemes that leverage sports events and star power to drive social giving, and other donation matching and revenue-sharing approaches with private partners.
• Innovation and strategic thinking background or experience in an innovative environment is preferred.

Other competencies:

• Keen sense of initiative, discretion, mature judgment, and entrepreneurial spirit is desired.
• Strong presentation, writing and negotiation skills, including the ability to design and elaborate partnership proposals required.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines and work well with others in a fast-paced environment, organize and prioritize own work with limited supervision required.
• Ability to work in small teams and to work remotely
• Think strategically and the knowledge to develop a competitive advantage with the UNITLIFE programme through innovative partnerships.
• Good ability to gain the trust of others and foster collaborative relationships. Proven ability to build collaborative, impactful relationships with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.

Language:

• Full professional level fluency in Mandarin and in English is required.
• Fluency in French is an advantage.

Education:

• Advanced university (Masters equivalent) degree in economics, finance, business administration, development, social sciences, international relations or related fields.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in progressively responsible positions in building resource mobilization partnerships in the private sector, including in business development, sales or marketing departments. Applicants with similar experience in companies’ philantropic ventures will be considered.
• Demonstrable experience, especially in designing complex public-private transactions in the private sector.
• Experience in relevant sectors in Asian countries
• Established track record in innovative transactions for resource mobilization.
• Proven experience in utilizing digital channels for new digital funding options.
• Previous professional experience in China is required.