International Consultant - Sustainable and Innovative Gender Finance (SIGF) External Post level[...]

International Consultant - Sustainable and Innovative Gender Finance (SIGF) UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. BackgroundUN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries in development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. In its global Strategic Plan for 2022 - 2025, UN Women recognizes financing for gender equality as a specific objective, and aims to provide context-specific policy guidance, technical support and capacity strengthening on the mobilization, allocation and spending of high - impact financing aligned with gender equality objectives.In Pakistan, the lack of capital for women-owned businesses and inadequate access to financial products remain key barriers to women's economic empowerment. In this regard, enhancing women's access to finance - including through the provision of innovative financial instruments and pursuing financial inclusion targets - is a key focus area for UN Women PCO. In the past, UN Women has worked towards building capacities of parliamentarians and key stakeholders on gender-responsive budgeting practices, and increasing knowledge of financing gaps through rapid assessments and analyses.Keeping in view the lack of innovative financial products in Pakistan - including those for women - caused in part due to a nascent capital market structure and regulatory framework, there has been a significant push towards sustainable finance in the country in the past two years. This momentum largely owes to the issuance of Sukuk Bonds and Green Bonds by the Government of Pakistan, formulation of Gender Bond Guidelines by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, and the introduction of a Banking on Equality Policy by the State Bank of Pakistan.Also, sustainable, gender-responsive, and socially conscious business practices are imperative to achieve sustainability goals for which support by the corporate/business sector as well as the regulators is critical. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, therefore, must beincreasinglypursued with companies to improve relevance of businesses to meet challengingglobal needs.The financial ecosystem in Pakistan is now well-suited for advancing women's financial inclusion, including women-centric product development, the issuance of the gender bonds, and encouraging integration of ESG or sustainability considerations into decision/policy making by the business/corporate sector to attract investment.Duties and ResponsibilitiesUN Women Pakistan is looking to hire an international consultant for work related to Sustainable and Innovative Gender Finance. Under the direct supervision of the Country Representative, UN Women, the Consultant will work in close collaboration with the programme and operations teams at UN Women Pakistan Country Office (PCO), partners and stakeholders from the financial ecosystem of the country, relevant institutions, and donors, to provide management support for the existing work and also support successful designing/implementation of (planned) initiatives besides making efforts to unlock new/innovative forms of public/private finance.Identify opportunities and develop partnerships within the development/financial ecosystem of Pakistan, especially with financial institutions, microfinance organizations, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, business/corporate/private sector, and other UN Agencies, based on strategic goals of UN Women, country needs, particularly in relation to sustainable and innovative gender financing (SIGF).Engage with policymakers/institutions on corporate governance policies related to ESG Investment.Increase awareness amongst stakeholder of the need to address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and issuances of innovative gender financing toolsAdvise on project design for UN Women PCO's work in the area of SIGF.Conduct research as needed, including development of proposals/concept notes, briefs and miscellaneous documentation for donor and consultative meetings related to the objective/purpose of these assignment.Support UN Women Pakistan in coordinating and implementing planned activities and initiatives in SIGF with the government institutions and other partners.Devise a strategy on how to encourage and support institutions and the private sector to produce and launch innovative products such as gender bonds, Sukuks, and micro-finance.Work/coordinate internally with project teams, operations sub-units - including procurement, security, finance, and internal controls - to support implementation of planned initiatives related to SIGF.Keeps abreast of national, regional, and global economic trends and issues and analyze their implications for the advancement of gender equality and women's empowerment.Core Values:Respect for DiversityIntegrityProfessionalismCore Competencies:Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender IssuesAccountabilityCreative Problem SolvingEffective CommunicationStakeholder EngagementLeading by ExampleRequired Skills and ExperienceQualifications:A Master's degree or equivalent in international development, business administration, social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, or a related field is required.A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Skills and Competencies:Minimum 15 years of progressive relevant experience at international level in international development, sustainable financing, gender financing, coordination, development finance or planning.Track record of producing high quality knowledge pieces, research papers, proposals, analytical reports, articles, or policy briefs is required.Experience in partnership building, especially in the context of sustainable and innovative financing, and international development is required.Experience of working and liaising with government agencies, financial regulatory bodies, and donors.Work experience in UN or other international organization, and knowledge of UN Women policies, procedures and practices is an advantage.Experience in private sector finance is desirable.Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is required.Language Requirement:Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills is required.Basic understanding of Urdu is an asset though not a requirement.

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