Link to Atlas Project

Documents

Overview

To apply, kindly read the procurement notice, attach the following documents and submit through the following email:  ic.jo@undp.org

1.  CV with at least three references;
2. Technical proposal (to showcase requested experience and competencies); and
3.  Financial proposal as in  the attached template.

no later than 24 August 2020  with subject "Gender lens investing and impact management and measurement expert".

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to the address or e-mail indicated above. UNDP Jordan will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

Jordan has made important progress over recent years on SDG 5 (gender equality) as well as on the gender gaps of other SDGs, yet many challenges remain. A key component of these efforts is the recognition that achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment also requires financing for gender equality and innovative new approaches to investments in Jordan.

Impact investing is one example of financing the SDGs. At its essence impact investing of this type aims to consolidate gender analysis into financial analysis by assessing the impact of investment opportunities on social and economic outcomes for women and girls, men and boys. Impact investing assesses investment opportunities for both the financial return on investment as well as the contribution to social and economic outcomes that support the most vulnerable.

The socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in Jordan is expected to be massive, compounded by persistent regional instability, years of low growth and fiscal crisis. To meet its SDG priorities in the context of these challenges, Jordan needs to align existing investments to the SDGs, including SDG 5 and catalyze additional financing for this purpose. The last call of the global UN joint SDG fund has focused on supporting financing for the SDGs and included two components, the first one focuses on the SDG financing ecosystem, while the second component focuses on catalytic strategic investments, which  aims to accelerate progress towards the SDGs by mobilizing the private sector to align their business models and investments to the SDGs and to catalyze investment towards their achievement.

Jordan’s UN Joint submission for the SDG Financing Joint Programme component I was successful  and implementation has started. UNDP, as the lead agency, UNIDO and UN Women were also requested to prepare a full proposal for Component II.

Component II seeks to catalyze strategic investments to national SDG priorities, taking into consideration the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, investment and the efforts towards SDGs achievement. Component II will build on the first component to ensure the foundations for an impact investment ecosystem are being strengthened, and build the trust needed to open new channels of impact and gender impact investments. The JP component II will focus on addressing the following challenges:

• Creating a pipeline of SDG including gender aligned investment opportunities: A major constraint facing impact investors is the lack of an investment ready pipeline, especially with investments that have gender and social dimension, a challenge likely to increase with the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs, representing most businesses and job opportunities. The JP will support businesses with their competitiveness, resource efficiency, impact measurement and management and Women Empowerment Principles.
• Increasing the number of funds and investors adopting an SDG and gender lens and attracting impact investors to Jordan. To date only 2% of global impact investment reaches the MENA region (MoPIC, 2019) and few funds are being set up with a social and gender impact focus. The JP will support existing, and newly establishing funds to align with the SDGs  
• Multiplier effect through catalytic investments and partnerships. The JP will provide catalytic capital to two to three funds to diversify and scale social and gender impact. With the JP as an anchor investor, this will facilitate fundraising efforts of the investee funds. The programmes aims to test different funding mechanisms via the varied financing products the funds offer.

UNDP, UN Women and UNIDO are preparing a Joint Programme document for Component II. To support this process, the agencies are recruiting several experts including an expert on gender lens investing and impact management and measurement. The expert will work closely with the respective focal points in the three agencies, the UN RCO as well as other experts recruited for the process. The division of labour between various experts will be discussed at the beginning of the assignment.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. All individuals including persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with strictest confidence and equally.

Technical and financial proposals along with CV & 3 references should be submitted, and without such will not be considered). 

(Only Short Listed Candidates will be contacted)

UNDP is an employer committed to gender equity and to providing equal opportunities to both males and females.