Short-term IPSA Contractor

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization established to eradicate poverty and protect the planet. It operates in 170 countries and territories, supporting governments in strengthening policies, institutions, skills, and partnerships to sustain progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP's Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH) aggregates its work and expertise on SDG financing, offering tools and support to accelerate financing for the SDGs. The Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF) within the SFH focuses on building resilience and incentivizing growth through innovative financial solutions.

Job Overview:
The short-term IPSA assignment involves providing expertise to support the UNDP Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF) in advancing its work with Agricultural Public Development Banks and domestic agricultural finance systems. The contractor will work on an on-call basis, contributing to the Innovation Models building block of the Financial Resilience in Agriculture (FRA) Global Programme. The role requires engagement with various stakeholders, including agricultural public development banks, insurance companies, and government agencies, to promote innovative agri-finance solutions and strengthen agricultural finance systems. The contractor will also be responsible for designing financial instruments, conducting research, and generating knowledge products to inform resource mobilization strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The expert's involvement will depend on specific assignment requests from the Hiring Unit. Responsibilities include stakeholder engagement, providing technical inputs and strategic oversight for workshops and consultations, strengthening collaboration with international agencies, designing financial instruments and implementation strategies, and conducting high-level research and policy analysis on agricultural finance and rural financial inclusion. The contractor will work closely with the IRFF Technical Team and is expected to use their own equipment while working remotely, attending virtual coordination meetings regularly. UNDP does not guarantee a specific quantity of services during the contract period, as it will depend on project needs and evolving priorities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in development, agricultural economics, or a relevant field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) combined with two additional years of qualifying experience will be considered. A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience is required for those with a master's degree, or 9 years for those with a bachelor's degree, specifically in working with public development banks and financial institutions in the design, governance, or evaluation of agri-finance instruments. Expertise in agricultural economics, rural development, and financial inclusion is essential, along with a strong track record in designing tools and frameworks to enhance agri-finance portfolios and resilience strategies.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in development, agricultural economics, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the aforementioned areas, combined with relevant experience, will also be considered. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of agricultural finance and the necessary strategies to promote financial inclusion and resilience in agricultural systems.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience if they hold a master's degree, or 9 years if they hold a bachelor's degree. This experience should be related to working with public development banks and financial institutions, particularly in the design and evaluation of agri-finance instruments. Demonstrated expertise in agricultural economics, rural development, and financial inclusion is necessary, along with the ability to translate research into actionable policy and institutional guidance. Experience in stakeholder engagement and capacity-building, especially with government stakeholders and financial intermediaries, is also required.

Languages:
Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Knowledge of Spanish is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to projects in Spanish-speaking regions.

Additional Notes:
This is a short-term IPSA assignment, with the contractor allowed to work no more than 130 working days per calendar period. The contractor will work remotely and is expected to use their own equipment. UNDP does not guarantee a specific quantity of services during the contract period, as it will depend on project needs and evolving priorities. The organization values diversity and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply, ensuring an inclusive workplace where all personnel can thrive and contribute to the mission.