Consultor para el Análisis y Diseño Preliminar de Mecanismos de Financiamiento Innovador

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them reach their full potential from early childhood to adolescence. The organization is committed, passionate, and proud of its work, providing various opportunities for professional and personal development to its staff. UNICEF fosters a diverse and inclusive culture, welcoming individuals who wish to grow and contribute to its mission, alongside an attractive compensation and benefits package. More information about UNICEF's work can be found on their official website.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to analyze the feasibility and design a preliminary innovative financing mechanism that contributes to the sustainability and expansion of interventions aimed at preventing early unions and adolescent pregnancies in the Dominican Republic. The consultant will identify and analyze the most viable types of innovative financing mechanisms considering the macroeconomic, fiscal, and institutional context of the country. This role involves evaluating the technical, financial, and political feasibility of the identified mechanisms, ensuring alignment with national priorities and UNICEF's strategic objectives regarding the prevention of early unions and adolescent pregnancies. The consultant will also be responsible for drafting a business case document that presents the preliminary proposal for the most suitable innovative financing mechanism, outlining its potential impact and a roadmap for its development and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of innovative financing mechanisms suitable for the Dominican Republic, taking into account the current macroeconomic and fiscal environment.
• Evaluate the technical, financial, and political feasibility of the identified mechanisms, ensuring they align with national priorities and UNICEF's strategic goals.
• Develop a business case document that outlines the proposed innovative financing mechanism, including its operational model, potential impact, and implementation roadmap.
• Facilitate high-level dialogues with government sectors involved in planning, economics, and protection, as well as potential financial partners, to mobilize sustainable resources.
• Generate key evidence to inform decision-making regarding social investment with a gender-focused approach.
• Collaborate with UNICEF teams and stakeholders to ensure the proposed mechanisms are integrated into broader social investment strategies.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (master's) in economics, finance, public policy, administration, international relations, or related fields.
• Specialization in public finance, innovative financing mechanisms, social investment, or sustainable development.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of proven experience in designing, analyzing, or evaluating public financing mechanisms, social investment, or development finance.
• Demonstrated experience in identifying, structuring, or advising on innovative financial mechanisms such as social impact bonds, blended finance, social investment funds, debt swaps, or public-private co-financing schemes.
• Solid knowledge of the macroeconomic, fiscal, and regulatory context of the Dominican Republic or comparable Latin American and Caribbean countries.
• Previous experience in economic analysis applied to social policies, gender equality, or adolescence will be considered an advantage.
• Experience in preparing technical documents or business cases, with the ability to translate financial analysis into strategic proposals understandable to decision-makers.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's) in relevant fields such as economics, finance, public policy, administration, or international relations. A specialization in public finance, innovative financing mechanisms, social investment, or sustainable development is also required.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in the design, analysis, or evaluation of public financing mechanisms, social investment, or development finance. This includes demonstrable experience in identifying and structuring innovative financial mechanisms and a solid understanding of the macroeconomic and fiscal context of the Dominican Republic or similar regions.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish (written, spoken, and read) is mandatory. Knowledge of technical English is desirable but not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is not considered 'staff' under the UN Staff Regulations and UNICEF policies, and consultants will not be entitled to benefits such as vacation or health insurance. The selected candidate is responsible for ensuring that necessary visas and health insurance are valid throughout the contract period. Candidates must confirm their full vaccination status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a WHO-approved vaccine before starting the assignment, unless they are working remotely. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodations for consultants with disabilities.