Consultant for Green Business Development

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which was established in 194

• ESCAP's mission is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization operates in 62 member states and 9 associate members, focusing on various issues including trade, investment, and innovation. ESCAP aims to foster regional cooperation and integration to address the challenges faced by the region, including economic disparities and environmental sustainability.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work under the guidance of the Economic Affairs Officer in the Innovation, Enterprise and Investment Section of the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division (TIID). The primary function of this position is to provide consultancy services aimed at promoting green business practices and supporting the transition to a green economy in the Asia-Pacific region. The consultant will be responsible for developing toolkits, conducting training needs analyses, and coaching SME development agencies and businesses in Malaysia and the Philippines. The role also involves facilitating business collaborations between green SMEs and larger enterprises, thereby creating an enabling environment for sustainable business practices. The consultant will be expected to deliver outputs in both digital and physical formats, ensuring that all intellectual property rights related to the developed materials are retained by ESCAP.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include:

• Developing two toolkits for greening SMEs in Malaysia and the Philippines, incorporating gender perspectives.
• Conducting a training needs analysis to identify gaps in knowledge and skills among SME development agencies and businesses.
• Coaching SME development agencies on the implementation of the training toolkits.
• Providing coaching services to 60 SMEs in Malaysia and the Philippines over the course of two years.
• Facilitating business collaborations between green SMEs and larger enterprises through matchmaking exercises.
• Organizing exchanges among SME development agencies in South-East Asia to share best practices and training resources.
• Developing a compendium of training resources to support the green transition of SMEs.
• Preparing policy suggestions to promote green SMEs in the ASEAN region.
• Monitoring and evaluating the progress of SMEs towards certification and compliance with ESG requirements.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s Degree in Business, Environmental Studies, International Affairs, Management, Finance, Accountancy, Law, Public Policy, or a related field. Additionally, candidates must have a minimum of seven years of experience in advising businesses on environmental sustainability and green practices. This includes providing training, developing capacity for greener business operations, and conducting research on the green transition of businesses. Desirable qualifications include work experience in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia or the Philippines, as well as experience in promoting private sector development, SME development, and inclusive business practices.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s Degree in a relevant field such as Business, Environmental Studies, International Affairs, Management, Finance, Accountancy, Law, or Public Policy. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively advise businesses on green practices and sustainability.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have at least seven years of relevant experience in the field of environmental sustainability and green business practices. This experience should include advising businesses, providing training, and developing capacity for greener operations. Familiarity with the specific challenges and opportunities in the Southeast Asian context, particularly in Malaysia and the Philippines, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as all communications and documentation will be conducted in English. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the Southeast Asian region may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last from February 1, 2026, to November 30, 202

• The position does not specify a fee for the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage of the recruitment process. The role is likely to be full-time, and the consultant will be expected to work closely with various stakeholders in the region to achieve the project objectives.