Partnerships Development Consultant
Organizational Context
UN Women's East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) seeks to enhance its capacity to mobilize resources from non-traditional sources, including the private sector, financial institutions, and philanthropic foundations. This is crucial given the current global financial pressures on Official Development Assistance (ODA). The consultancy aims to position UN Women as a strategic partner and catalyst for gender-responsive investment across the region.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to design and operationalize a private sector and innovative financing engagement model for UN Women ESARO. The goal is to position the organization as a strategic partner, convener, and catalyst for gender-responsive investment, thereby increasing resource mobilization for gender equality and women's empowerment (GEWE). The consultant will support the development of investment-ready programmatic offers, strategic partnerships, and financing pipelines by leveraging private sector, philanthropic, financial institution, and public sector resources. The role will contribute to establishing UN Women as a partner of choice, integrating ESG principles, and influencing financial flows towards GEWE outcomes in East and Southern Africa.
Responsibilities
The consultant will develop and implement a Private Sector Engagement Model to mobilize resources and influence financial flows from various private sector companies. This includes developing a private sector engagement strategy, establishing entry points for embedding gender equality into ESG frameworks, and creating gender investment cases to improve investor readiness. The role involves building investment pipelines of bankable programmes, providing technical support for blended finance vehicles, and facilitating co-investment partnerships. Additionally, the consultant will identify and cultivate relationships with traditional and non-traditional partners, contribute to partnership mapping, and support coordinated partner outreach to strengthen strategic partnerships and leverage additional resources for gender equality.
Work Experience
Requires at least 7 years of progressive experience in resource mobilization, strategic partnerships development, and donor engagement with non-traditional donors (private sector, IFIs, MNCs, foundations). Proven track record in successful fundraising through innovative efforts and extensive experience managing international aid programmes are essential. Experience in gender equality and women's empowerment, and building partnerships with civil society, international institutions, and donors is also required. Experience within the UN system is desirable.
Skills
Strategic mindset, identifying opportunities, crafting strategies, prioritizing action, stakeholder engagement, leadership in engaging funding partners, aid policy expertise, knowledge of donor expectations, excellent oral and written communication, persuasive communication.