Consultancy Title: Generation Unlimited Investment Agenda Consultant (11.5 Months)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, A commitment

BACKGROUND:

 

It is in the world’s best interest, especially in developing markets, to invest in young people so productivity rises, standards of living improve, and human capital investments grow. Preparing young people for the world of work will benefit regional economies, increase security, advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improve the well-being of millions of families and communities.

 

The current generation of young people is coming of age in a challenging world. Governments and employers worldwide are concerned that young people lack the specific skills required for the changing future of work, particularly as climate change and technology disrupt existing economic structures.

 

UNICEF Jordan is looking to expand its footprint in the youth development arena by making Jordan one of the Generation Unlimited frontrunner countries.

 

UNICEF Jordan is looking to explore innovative financing options to fund youth development activities in Jordan. Effective in July 2020, UNICEF has agreed to host the Education Outcomes Fund [EOF]. In its role as host, UNICEF will have the opportunity to technically collaborate with EOF on outcome-based financing in education.

 

Generation Unlimited

Generation Unlimited (GenU) is a global, multi-sector partnership that empowers young people to become productive and engaged members of society by connecting secondary-age education and training to employment and entrepreneurship. Generation Unlimited believes that if the largest generation of young people in history is prepared for the transition to work, the potential for global progress is unlimited.

 

Launched at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, in September 2018, Generation Unlimited has generated interest from government and leaders from industry and other key sectors committed to cohere efforts around young people for large-scale impact.

 

GenU takes a two-pronged approach to advancing the agency and outcomes of young people:

1. Country investment agendas: a portfolio of scalable and bankable initiatives at country level that can attract public-private partnership and investment for better education, skills, entrepreneurship and employment for millions of young people.

2. Global breakthroughs: topics with potential products and scalable models that tackle challenges common across multiple geographies

In addition to these two strategic approaches, GenU will also conduct a range of enabling activities, including investing in leadership and capacity building for young people, deepening private sector engagement, working with partners to maintain and improve a knowledge and evidence base, fundraising catalytic capital and supporting partners’ advocacy and movement-building efforts.

OBJECTIVE OF ASSIGNMENT:

This Terms of Reference is to solicit the support of an Consultant to construct Jordan’s GenU Country Investment Agenda that addresses the needs and bolsters efforts (and particularly private sector involvement) in Jordan, while adhering to GenU’s global strategy, which has set out a common vision, principles, methodology, and Results Framework and mobilize the financing required.

How can you make a difference?

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

 The Consultant will play a key role in developing the adaptation of the GenU and Education Outcome Fund within the Jordanian context. All deliverables and their descriptions are outlined below.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

A. Foundational Analysis

• Thoroughly research the Generation Unlimited initiative by reviewing existing literature available online in the annual reports and the GenU website and provided by UNICEF, including;  the strategic analysis, effective ways to drive multi-sector partnerships, the Theory of Change, the operating model, the results framework and the investment case.
• Research existing GenU country investment agendas to gain an understanding of what different country programs look like via online research and conducting calls with relevant program heads.
• Research the Education Outcome Fund (EOF) to gain an understanding of the mechanism and what it would mean to launch a country EOF by conducting talks with the EOF team in addition to online research.
• Discuss with relevant key players in Jordan gaps in the youth development agenda and scope what different programs are already fulfilling.

Deliverable & Timeline:

Report of findings to include a mapping of GenU programs and the possible modalities for collaboration with EOF for a Jordan specific fund, in addition to a high-level diagnostic analysis of local needs, gaps in the ecosystem, and promising models to be scaled.

B. Synthesis of Strategy

• Based on the foundational analysis conducted, develop recommendations and articulate the value proposition of Jordan GenU roadmap. The report will also capture the government’s areas of focus in support of young people and identify areas where GenU can support ongoing efforts. 

Deliverable & Timeline:

Submit to UNICF Management recommendation report and proposed action plan to be approved prior to commencing with the execution phase.

C. Design Jordan Investment Country Agenda

Based on the foundational analysis and in cohesion with partner organizations, and with the support of GenU global team, design a Jordan Country Investment Agenda which entails;

• Develop the Roadmap customized to the Jordan context while aligned with GenU’s vision and global strategic priorities. This work will be conducted in coordination with the Youth Director at UNICEF.

The Roadmap is a high-level framework for partnership action over three years, based on an assessment of national challenges, government and development priorities, and private sector needs. It is shaped by GenU’s global strategic priorities, with specific results targets for Jordan’s relevant priority. The Roadmap is designed to provide cohesion across partner efforts, and includes:

• • Identification of key gaps and opportunities for investment in the landscape related to young people’s needs, and white space in the programming and financing ecosystem
  • Identification of promising programs ready to scale
  • Theory of Change and Results Framework tying together the portfolio of initiatives and deals implemented in the country. In addition to this global Theory of Change, GenU teams will formulate a Jordan context specific Theory of Change and accompanying Results Frameworks, according to the relevance and nuances of the Strategic Priorities in specific contexts.

• Support the development of an initial pipeline of investable and bankable deals

To support an investment agenda, the GenU Advisor will convene stakeholders to identify local investment priorities. Priorities are converted into a set of investable deals that attract partner commitments and external capital. Initiatives and deals are structured on a rolling basis and should include quick wins to build momentum in the first 12 months as well as longer term investments.

• Develop the Investment Case

The Investment Case brings together the elements detailed above into a compelling case to attract and leverage investment in young people. The document will provide a high-level introduction to GenU, which makes the case for further investment and action, calling upon stakeholders from all sectors to support the potential of this generation.

D. Mobilize Financing for GenU Jordan

• Liaise with EOF to explore potential modalities of collaboration, make recommendations to UNICEF management and support the establish of an Education Outcome Fund earmarked for Jordan.

Core to the investment agenda’s success is GenU’s ability to crowd-in financing and tactically deploy catalytic capital. Throughout the program, the Advisor – with support from the Global Team – identifies potential international and local investors. The advisor will prepare required fundraising documents and support talks with potential funds, in coordination with the Partnership and Fundraising Director, to mobilize funding for the initiative. Once the initiative and deal creation phase are underway, GenU’s country and Global Team continue to manage the disbursement of catalytic funding and crowd-in international and local financing to provide ongoing support

E. Raise Awareness and Engage Partners

The country-level partnership is built around GenU anchor partners who commit to the investment agenda before it is formally launched. These partners form an informal advisory group that engages throughout the launch process. Simultaneously, GenU’s Advisor, in coordination with the UNICEF Partnership and Fundraising Director,  will hold bilateral conversations with other prospective partners to generate buy-in. The entire partnership then contributes to the Roadmap creation and implements initiatives and deals. The GenU Country Team broadens the partnership to include other organizations that meet the partnership criteria on an ongoing basis.

Throughout the program, the Advisor will be expected to represent GenU in-country in meetings with government and the private sector partners and prospect partners and serve as the focal point for liaising with the Global Team.

F. Other Tasks

• Liaise with relevant stakeholders within UNICEF, in particularly work closely with the Chief of Youth and the Chief of Partnerships.
• Hire team members as and when needed.
• Provide monthly progress reports to UNICEF
• Support the established of a GenU Country Team and hand over relevant work as and when needed and upon the completion of the project, in consultation with the Chief of Partnership and the Chief of Youth.
• Support with selection and approaching GenU Jordan potential board members.

Proposed and estimated timeframe for deliverables is listed under each deliverable in the section above. The team should follow the needed timeline to submit the deliverables considering necessary and adequate time to be allocated for review and quality assurance processes of the deliverables by the UNICEF-team. Payment is contingent on approval by the manager and will be made in four instalments.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The consultant should possess a minimum of 10 years of work experience, with proven experience in conducting similar work, and established credibility in the following areas:

• Proven ability to work with a variety of people including government officials, private sector, and UN counterparts
• Encourages the learning of others by acknowledging their skill sets and expertise and creating learning opportunities;
• Promotes teamwork and harmony collaborating with team members integrating others’ ideas into his/her thinking. Leverages the different experiences and expertise of members to achieve better, more innovative outcomes;
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization including NGOs.
• Experience in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, investment and finance and youth development.
• Demonstrated track record in developing, designing and managing relevant programs.
• Successful fund raising experience and mobilizing scalable partnerships

Education: University degree in investment banking, economics, and other related field is required.

Language: Proficiency in English and Arabic spoken and written required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

 

The functional competencies required for this post are…

 

Viw our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.