L’UNEP recrute un Expert en développement de partenariats, Nairobi, Kenya
Result of Service
Indicative outputs, to be reviewed monthly:
- A database of existing partnerships and suggestions of possible new engagements ;
- An analysis of opportunities with potential new partners and donors, including a tracking sheet of engagement with them on different projects, experience and lessons learned from the engagement ;
- Track feedback from donors and public/private partners based on engagements (virtual and in-person) we have with them ;
- Inputs provided to CFU’s fundraising strategy as well as suggestions on strategic partnerships.
Work Location
Home based, Geneva
Expected duration
9 Months
Duties and Responsibilities
UNEP is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
The loss of forest, and the accompanying loss of ecosystems and the services they provide, threatens the security and livelihoods of local communities, reduces access to clean water, decreases soil productivity and accounts for 12 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, it has become apparent that the most significant threat to the world’s remaining forests is conversion for commercial agriculture – whether from large-scale operations or smallholder farmers – as well as other non-forest use. Many of the environmental benefits of intact forest are unpriced ‘externalities’, resulting in the market mispricing natural forest assets. By converting forest to land and then producing tradeable commodities that the market can price, land users are able to take advantage of this perceived arbitrage opportunity. Anticipated global economic growth and changing diets will strengthen the demand for agricultural commodities and place additional pressure on forests in the foreseeable future, meaning that the pressure will get even bigger than it is today without a changing paradigm how land is managed and agricultural commodities are produced. The challenge is to advance sustainable land use by developing business models that can manage sustainable commodity production while also maintaining forests and forest ecosystem services.
Against that background, UNEP the Climate Finance Unit to proactively help unlock and (re)direct public and private capital towards sustainable land use, including deforestation-free soft commodity production. Given the growing portfolio of projects – including the AGRI3 Fund, the Restoration Seed Capital Facility, TLFF, &Green Fund to demonstrate ‘proof-of-concept’ that private investment in deforestation-free agricultural commodities, sustainable management of forests and restoration of degraded land can be catalyzed. However, to ensure wider scale and ultimately mainstreaming it is critical to go beyond a few ambitious commitments of financial institutions and agri/forestry businesses and convince a much broader group of investors, banks, traders and agri/forestry enterprises of the need to make time-bound and ambitious commitments to systematically shift to nature- and climate-positive land use.
Against this backdrop, UNEP’s Climate Finance Unit is seeking a part-time partnership development expert, who is able to further harness the potential of partnerships with different sectors, private sector entities as well as donors (existing and potential). Under the supervision of the Head, Climate Finance Unit and in direct engagement with the UNEP CFU Project manager, the expert will identify existing partnerships, outline opportunities for further development (internally within UNEP and externally), engage with donors (new and existing) with a view to getting new ideas for which there is demand funded. The location of this position will in principle be in Geneva, though could be remotely depending on the location and personal preferences.
Based on development and approval of UNEP’s Partnership Strategy, this consultancy may be expanded to contribute to the roll out and realization of the newly approved Partnership Strategy.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Head of the Climate Finance Unit (CFU) the consultant will:
- Provide an overview of CFU’s existing partnerships with relevant public and private entities as well as an analysis of any potentials to broaden the scope of collaboration.
- Provide an analysis of opportunities with potential new partners and donors, including their priorities and focus and possible ways of engagement by CFU. This should also take into consideration of a) existing concept notes from CFU; b) opportunities of joining projects and initiatives of partners; c) opportunities for developing new projects and initiatives; d) strategy and direction of donors in terms of what they want to fund
- Provide suggestions of the niche of UNEP CFU’s work with the objective of further expansion. This includes providing inputs to CFU’s fundraising strategy, identify any opportunities and gaps for strategic partnerships internally within UNEP and externally.
The consultant will report to the Head of the Climate Finance Unit and work in close collaboration with the UNEP CFU Project Manager, based in Nairobi.
Qualifications/special skills
The consultant should have a MBA or Masters’ degree in project management, environmental economics, marketing, finance or similar discipline.
A Bachelor’s university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Eligible candidates will also have at least seven (7) years of professional experience in project management, preferably working with/for businesses.
Experience working in or with the finance industry, with the donor community (governments, philanthropy) and having a good network in these sectors are a distinct advantage.
Experience in marketing distinct concepts to businesses and convincing governments, private foundations to provide funding for novel concepts and/or being a very good oral and written communicator, would especially be welcome.
Experience with the United Nations system and having a solid network with environmental and social specialists is considered an asset.
In addition, the consultant should be computer literate in standard software applications; have good analytical skills with a specific understanding of spatial data analytics; have good interpersonal skills; report writing and communication skills.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For this consulting position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is considered an asset.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
