Background

UNCDF launched a new Strategic Framework for 2022-2025 that offers an ambitious roadmap aimed at unlocking the potential of finance to accelerate SDG-positive achievements for the benefit of the most vulnerable nations. 

In particular, the new UNCDF Framework highlights biodiversity finance as a severely underfunded climate mitigation solution and propose to apply UNCDF multidimensional capital mandate to mobilize further public and private, international and domestic finance in LDCs through concessional capital deployment, financial advisory and support for the establishment of financing mechanisms and systems that promotes the valuation of the LDC unique natural assets potential.  

UNCDF intent to supports LDCs to create an enabling environment for nature-positive pipeline building, investments and market opportunities that create equitable and diversified economic growth. The essence of this transformation is a strategic shift from viewing nature as a resource to treating nature as an asset. This represents a very different view to natural resource investing wherein nature is commoditized for short run gain and its long run economic and nature-based value is not taken into consideration.  

In order to support this strategic shift, UNCDF is consolidating its growing nature-based portfolio into a Nature Asset Team (UNCDF NAT). The team will serve to mobilize the nature-positive public and private finance needed for green & blue economic transformation supporting several pilot projects financed by the Central Africa Forest Initiative – CAFI, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, the Peace Building Fund – PBF and several bilateral donors

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Design Specialist will provide the following functions:  

• Contributes to the development of full programme and project documents; 

• Carries out background research on subjects relevant to the valuation of Nature Assets and financial structuring to finance innovative Nature Based Solutions in Central Africa; 

• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting; 

• Provides engagement support and liaises with donors and partners such as UNEP, UNDP and UNESCO on all programming aspects and supporting documentation, as needed; 

• Supports the development of innovative business models and how to apply them across the NAT portfolio and targeted ecosystems.

Institutional Arrangements

• The consultant shall be working under the direct guidance and supervision of the Director of the GFCR & Nature Asset Team. 
• The following documents will serve as conditions for payments (i) submission of Certificate of Payment (COP); (ii) Submission of all deliverables / progress report with the relevant supporting documentation; and (iii) review, approval, and written acceptance of each deliverable.
• This is a deliverable-based consulting work where payments are made based on the acceptance of the outputs.
• Final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.
• The consultant travel entitlements shall be in strict adherence to UNCDF policy and will include, in part, the following:

(i) DSA Rate based on the number of days spent in the location of the travel (i.e., one (1) field trip to Geneva, one (1) to DRC and any other  travel as assigned by UNCDF); (ii) A lump sum amount representing these costs shall be included by the consultant in the financial proposal, to allow the consultant to make arrangements for his/her own travel. 

Competencies

Corporate: 

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNCDF; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism. 

Technical: 

The consultant must demonstrate strong expertise on two core technical aspects: 

• Fund architecture design: Knowledge of issues related to fund establishment, translation of a theory of change into a fund result matrix and result-based management system, governance architecture and programmatic cycle.
• Partnerships: Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships. 

Communications 

• Able to communicate effectively in writing to a varied and broad audience in a concise and straightforward manner. 

Professionalism 

• Capable of working in a high- pressure environment with sharp and frequent deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously; 
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills; 
• Exercises the highest level of responsibility and be able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner. 

Teamwork  

• Works well in a team; 
• Projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks; 
• Focuses on results for the client;  
• Welcomes constructive feedback.

Delivery: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services.

• Embraces complex challenges and opportunities for getting work done
• Ability to embrace challenges with minimal supervision
• Works to develop organizational awareness of UNCDF’s approach to client service delivery and integrity and accountability

UN System

In-depth and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the UN system and the mandates of constituent agencies, including with UN corporate standards and language requirements.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Academic Education:

• Masters or Advanced Level University Degree in one or more of the following disciplines: international relations, international development, political science, economics, social studies, public policy, or other equivalent fields is required. 
• A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Years of experience:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience at the national and international level in international development, environmental issues and/or innovative marketing and finance, required. 
• Knowledge and experience of project management, results-based reporting, monitoring and evaluation and basic financial terminology and analysis, required; 
• Experience in working with UN agencies, multilaterals, donors, or in the field of NGOs and CSOs, preferred;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment, required;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. 

Language:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English languages is essential.  
• Good knowledge of French is an asset.

EVALUATION

Step I: Technical Evaluation/Desk Review (70%)

Criteria will be:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience at the national and international level in international development, environmental issues and/or innovative marketing and finance (25 points)
• Knowledge and experience of project management, results-based reporting, monitoring and evaluation and basic financial terminology and analysis (20 points)
• Knowledge of issues related to fund establishment, translation of a theory of change into a fund result matrix and result-based management system, governance architecture and programmatic cycle (20 points)
• Experience in working and partnering with UN agencies, multilaterals, donors, or in the field of NGOs and CSOs (20 points)
• Strong analytical/writing skills with a particular focus on the relevant domains limited in this section (15 points)

Step II: Financial Evaluation (30%)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% at Desk review shall be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

The following formula will be used to evaluate the financial proposal:

Lowest priced proposal/ Price for the proposal being evaluated x 30%

Step III: Selection/ Award Criteria

The contact shall be awarded to the applicant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

•     Responsive/ compliant/ acceptable; and

•     Having received the highest combined weight (technical scores) 70% + financial 30%= 100%.

The first ranked top candidate that achieved the highest cumulative score will be recommended for award.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

The interested parties should accomplish the online submission form and upload the CV in this jobsite; the Letter of confirmation and availability (financial proposal) must be submitted through uncdf.procurement@uncdf.org. 

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (Please click here for document)
2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
3. Financial Proposal (the same as item #1 above) that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. 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 UNDP 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.