UNICEF Consultant Opportunity: Long-Term Home-Based Role in Innovative Finance for Children (LTA, 3 Years). UNICEF’s Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP) is seeking a highly qualified Innovative Financing Consultant for a three-year Long-Term Agreement (LTA). This is a remote, home-based role focused on designing and implementing cutting-edge financial instruments like sustainability-linked bonds, impact investing, and climate financing to mobilize resources for the world’s most vulnerable children. This senior consultancy requires an advanced degree and 8+ years of experience in international development finance, ESG, or impact investing. Discover how you can use your expertise to support UNICEF’s global mission from anywhere in the world.
Background & Job Description
UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children’s lives, defending their rights, and helping them realize their potential. Its work is fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We are advertising a prestigious consultancy opportunity on behalf of UNICEF’s Division of Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP), based in Geneva. This division is critical for mobilizing resources from the private sector to fund UNICEF’s vital work. Within PFP, the Innovative Financing for Children (IF4C) function is at the forefront of developing new financial mechanisms to address the world’s most pressing challenges for children, including climate change, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction.
This advertisement is for a Long-Term Agreement (LTA) for a home-based Innovative Financing Consultant. An LTA is a framework agreement that does not imply a full-time commitment but establishes the terms and conditions for future engagements over a three-year period. When specific assignments arise that match the consultant’s expertise, UNICEF will issue direct contracts under this LTA, making it an excellent opportunity for ongoing, flexible remote work on high-impact projects.
The successful consultant will play a key role in exploring, designing, and implementing a range of innovative financing solutions in collaboration with private sector entities, development banks, and UNICEF country offices. This is a chance to apply sophisticated financial skills to challenges that matter, directly contributing to the well-being of children globally.
Tasks and Responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for a range of tasks, which will be activated based on specific assignments under the LTA. Key responsibility categories include:
- Development of Financial Models, Structures, and Concepts: Preparing detailed terms of reference, project initiation plans, and strategic recommendations for new financing initiatives. This includes creating technical pitches, research studies, and concept notes for instruments like outcome-based financing, catastrophe bonds, and debt swaps.
- Feasibility Analysis and Program Design: Conducting in-depth business and financial market analyses, assessing risks, and formulating mitigation strategies. The consultant will perform thorough feasibility studies for prospective innovative finance instruments, providing structured recommendations for their implementation.
- Reporting and Documentation: Documenting strategic decisions and operational processes to ensure transparency. This involves developing presentations for UNICEF senior leadership, writing impact reports, and creating knowledge management materials to guide future initiatives and build internal capacity.
- Content Creation and Communication: Producing a variety of communication assets, including video scripts, newsletter content, briefing notes, talking points, and updates for internal and external stakeholders to articulate the value and impact of IF4C’s work.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Working closely with various UNICEF divisions, regional and country offices, National Committees, and external partners like International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to incubate and capacitate new initiatives.
UNICEF Consultant Opportunity: Long-Term Home-Based Role in Innovative Finance for Children
Qualifications
This is a senior-level consultancy requiring a robust combination of education and proven professional experience. UNICEF is seeking a candidate with a demonstrable track record in the complex field of development finance.
Education and Certification
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) is required in a relevant field such as International Development, Finance, Economics, Public or Business Administration.
- A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
- Relevant certifications in project management (e.g., PMP), finance (e.g., CFA), or sustainable investing (e.g., CESGA) would be considered a strong asset.
Experience
- A minimum of eight (8) years of progressive, relevant professional experience working at national and international levels is mandatory.
- Direct experience in innovative finance, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, impact investing, or a closely related field is required, with a solid understanding of the current landscape.
- Prior experience in structuring innovative finance products (e.g., sustainability-linked bonds, impact bonds, outcome-based financing, debt swaps) is a significant advantage.
- Experience working with or within International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) is a strong asset.
- Experience in the deployment of financial instruments within Eastern and Southern African countries is highly desired.
- Prior knowledge of or experience with the UN System and UNICEF’s mandate and work is a distinct advantage.
- Proven experience in strategy development, project management, and high-level consulting is expected.
Additional Information
Please note that our platform is sharing this opportunity independently; we are not acting as official recruiters for UNICEF. All applications must be submitted directly through the UNICEF online portal as detailed in the original vacancy announcement. The deadline for applications is 03 September 2025.
This is a remote, home-based consultancy under a Long-Term Agreement (LTA). The consultant will be responsible for using their own equipment, including laptops and software. All materials produced will become the sole property of UNICEF.
The LTA duration is three years, and payment will be based on the submission and approval of agreed-upon deliverables for specific assignments, not as a monthly salary. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment for deliverables that do not meet required standards.
There is a possibility of travel to Geneva on an as-needed basis, with all travel costs covered separately by UNICEF outside of the consultant’s professional fee.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages all qualified candidates, including persons living with disabilities, to apply. The selection process is rigorous and will include background checks. The consultant must adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism as outlined in UNICEF’s values.
To Apply: Interested candidates must submit the following through the UNICEF portal:
- A Cover Letter
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A Financial Proposal using the provided template.
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