Innovative Financing and Resource Mobilization Specialist, FGM Joint Programme

The Innovative Financing and Resource Mobilization Specialist will lead efforts to secure sustained and expanded funding for the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The role involves designing innovative financing mechanisms, building partnerships with diverse donors and investors, and providing strategic guidance to close funding gaps and support the global mandate to eliminate gender-based violence by 2030.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen fundraising from bilateral and emerging donors by mapping opportunities and finding innovative ways to fundraise from bilateral OECD and emerging donors.
• Design and set up innovative funding models, such as shared-investment agreements, matching-fund structures, and local community-backed financing.
• Connect with, pitch to, and secure concrete funding from new types of partners, such as private investors, corporate foundations, and wealthy philanthropists.
• Turn complex financial analysis and programme data into highly attractive, easy-to-understand investment portfolios and pitch decks.
• Lead the entire deal-making process from the initial pitch to the final legal agreement to launch new funding models on the ground.
• Map out and research the global market to identify opportunities to attract private money, government co-financing, or increase financing allocations for the FGM cause and programming.
• Track and monitor global donor policies and budget changes to assess potential funding shortages early and protect the programme from sudden budget cuts.
• Provide direct support and advice to country and regional offices to secure local private sector investments and domestic government funding.
• Monitor how focus countries are doing with FGM financing diversification including new, non-traditional funding models.
• Maintain a close relationship and smooth communication flow with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), ensuring engagement and consultation on the Joint Programme's impact.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in development studies, global health, international relations, business administration, economics, development financing and other related fields.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional work experience in complex partnership management involving resource mobilization and/or innovative financing.
• Proven capacity to experiment and innovate in a professional context resulting in net gains for their organization.
• Significant competencies in and understanding financial innovation in a development context.
• Proven communications in public and/or private advocacy experience.
• Strong track record of effective negotiation and advocacy at high levels, resulting in concrete outcomes.
• Experience in successfully convening valuable networks, including senior stakeholders for consultation and joint action, ideally with both public and private actors.
• Strong ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely in written and oral form.
• Knowledge of and experience within UNFPA / UNICEF, multilateral agencies or other international aid organizations, including NGOs, is highly desirable.
• Five years or more of experience working with and in consultation with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) is an added advantage.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Skills

• Development Finance
• Resource Mobilization
• Innovative Financing
• Partnership Management
• Financial Innovation
• Public Advocacy
• Private Advocacy
• Negotiation
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Network Convening
• Strategic Communications
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication
• Donor Relations
• Multilateral Organization Experience
• Consultation with AECID

Languages

English, Spanish