Innovative Finance Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established 70 years ago, operates in 190 countries and territories, focusing on the most disadvantaged children globally. The organization aims to save lives, defend rights, and help children fulfill their potential. UNICEF's mission is to build a better world for every child, emphasizing innovation and partnerships to improve children's lives. The Office of Innovation within UNICEF is a dynamic team that merges global issues with startup thinking and technology to create scalable solutions. The Giga initiative, launched in 2019 in collaboration with ITU, aims to connect every school worldwide to the internet, addressing the digital divide exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Giga envisions schools as community anchor points, enhancing access to information and opportunities for children and their communities.

Job Overview:
The Innovative Finance Consultant will play a pivotal role in exploring and analyzing blended finance structures to finance last-mile connectivity in underserved communities. This position involves integrating Connectivity Credits into financing initiatives, aligning with investors, fund managers, and telecom partners across various countries. The consultant will also develop an engagement strategy for the World Bank Group, positioning Giga as a technical assistance provider with expertise in connectivity projects for schools and public institutions. The role requires collaboration with the Giga team to ensure effective implementation of financing solutions that enhance digital access for children and communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Partnership Development and Investor Engagement: Identify and engage relevant fund managers, impact investors, and corporate partners. Develop an engagement strategy for the World Bank Group to position Giga as a TA provider for connectivity projects. Leverage networks to attract partners and secure commitments for Giga projects. Co-develop partnership materials in collaboration with the Giga Finance team. Support coordination among stakeholders in Giga financing projects.
• Structuring Support and Technical Input: Provide strategic recommendations on blended finance structures, advise on integrating Connectivity Credits as impact verification tools, and support documentation development for financing structures. Participate in Giga Finance Team meetings and presentations.
• Market Positioning and Advocacy: Develop outreach strategies for the Connectivity Credit Marketplace, represent Giga in discussions with stakeholders, and support participation in global events to showcase Giga's initiatives.
• Pilot Preparation and Country Engagement: Collaborate with partners to bring financing pilot collaborations to life, identify potential pilot countries, and engage ISPs for implementation. Prepare lessons-learned analyses of Giga financing pilots.
• Knowledge Products and Reporting: Prepare reports and presentations summarizing insights and recommendations, and develop materials for investors and donors highlighting the value proposition of integrating Connectivity Credits.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced university degree in Finance, Economics, Law and Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with at least two additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in blended finance, impact investment, and financing digital infrastructure in challenging regions. Proven experience engaging with DFIs, governments, philanthropic foundations, and private investors is essential. A strong understanding of digital infrastructure and inclusion sectors, particularly in connectivity and telecom investments, is required. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills are necessary, along with the ability to translate technical financial concepts for diverse audiences.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Finance, Economics, Law and Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with at least two additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree, demonstrating the flexibility in educational requirements for this position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in blended finance, impact investment, and financing digital infrastructure, particularly in rural or disadvantaged areas. Candidates should have a proven track record of engaging with development finance institutions, governments, philanthropic foundations, and private sector operators, showcasing their ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and secure funding for impactful projects.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Knowledge of another UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and broaden the impact of Giga's initiatives.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy role involves travel to partner or pilot countries and participation in major global events, with travel expenses reimbursed upon completion. The consultant is responsible for arranging their own travel, including visa and travel insurance. Payment of professional fees will be based on deliverables, and UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if standards are not met. Consultants are responsible for their own health and travel insurance and must ensure their visa and health insurance are valid for the contract duration. Selected candidates must confirm their fully-vaccinated status against Covid-19, although this does not apply to remote consultants.