This is a short-term IPSA assignment. The contractor will perform works upon request. 

Within short-term IPSA contract, a contractor can work no more than 130 working days per calendar period. To learn more about the contract modality visit: https://popp.undp.org/policy-page/international-personnel-services-agreement 

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and protect the planet. UNDP supports governments in strengthening policies, institutions, skills and partnerships to sustain progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH) was established to aggregate UNDP’s work and expertise on SDG financing and to offer a comprehensive package of tools and support that enables governments, the private sector and international financial institutions to accelerate financing for the SDGs.

UNDP’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility is charting new pathways to build resilience, incentivize growth and safeguard development. Housed within UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub, the Facility is using insurance and risk transfer to increase the financial resilience of countries, communities, households, businesses, nature and food systems. Learn more at www.irff.undp.org   

Under the IRFF, UNDP’s Financial Resilience in Agriculture (FRA) initiative continues to refine its approach to strengthen agricultural finance and insurance systems and promote system-level change in the design and implementation of agricultural insurance and financial instruments for resilience and climate adaptation. A key area of this work is engaging with agricultural public development banks (PDBs) and other financial institutions to expand access to agri-finance, build institutional capacities, and catalyse investments in inclusive and sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Building on lessons learned and international best practices, FRA seeks to strengthen the capacities of Agri PDBs and domestic financial ecosystems to de-risk and scale up financing for climate resilient agriculture. The initiative will also provide advisory and technical support to facilitate the design of financial solutions, build partnerships between global and national financial service providers, promote innovation in agri-finance and insurance, and contribute to knowledge platforms for scaling these approaches across regions.

The overall objective of this short-term IPSA assignment is to support the UNDP Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF) under the Sustainable Finance Hub in advancing its work with Agricultural Public Development Banks and domestic agricultural finance systems to de-risk and scale up financing for smallholder farmers and their value chains across Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The Expert will contribute on an on-call basis to the Innovation Models building block of the Financial Resilience in Agriculture (FRA) Global Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

The involvement of the expert will depend on  each specific assignment request from the Hiring Unit.  The responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

• Stakeholder engagement. Provide technical inputs and strategic oversight for the design and facilitation of targeted workshops, consultations, and dialogues with agricultural public development banks (Agri PDBs), insurance companies, government agencies, and public and private financiers to promote the adoption of innovative agri-finance solutions. Strengthen and expand  collaboration with other international agencies working on the agricultural finance ecosystem like IFAD, FAO, CGIAR, Regional Agricultural Credit Associations (ALIDE, AFRACA, others) etc. 
• Design of financial instruments and their implementation strategies. Share global experience to design and develop practical tools, methodologies, and guidance for Agri PDBs, financial service providers, and insurance companies to strengthen their agri-finance portfolios through insurance and risk finance instruments with the aim to integrate resilience, inclusion, and sustainability considerations into their operations.
• Research and knowledge generation. Provide technical guidance and strategic oversight on high-level research and policy analysis on agricultural finance, rural financial inclusion, climate resilient agriculture, and the role of public development banks. Knowledge products will inform the design of resource mobilization strategies.

Institutional Arrangement

The contractor will work in close collaboration with the IRFF Technical Team based in Geneva and Rome, under the direct supervision of IRFF Senior Global Technical Advisor. The contractor will be expected to use their own equipment and work remotely, attending regular coordination meetings virtually.

UNDP does not warrant that any specific quantity of services will be used during the contract period, as it will depend on project needs and evolving priorities. 

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)  

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent)  in development, agricultural economics, or other relevant field. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with a master’s) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s) of relevant professional experience related working with public development banks (PDBs) and financial institutions in the design, governance, or evaluation of agri-finance instruments.
• Demonstrated expertise in agricultural economics, rural development, and financial inclusion, with the ability to translate research into actionable policy and institutional guidance.
• Strong track record in designing tools, frameworks, and methodologies to strengthen agri-finance portfolios and resilience strategies.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and capacity-building, particularly with government stakeholders, regulators, and financial intermediaries.
• Experience in producing high-quality research and policy briefs.

Desired experience:

• Demonstrated research experience on inclusive finance for women, including gender-sensitive approaches to rural and agricultural finance.
• Experience in the organization of high-level events (policy dialogues, conferences, and international forums) to promote knowledge exchange and institutional learning.
• Experience with  knowledge-sharing platforms, networks, and multi-stakeholder partnerships in the fields of agri-finance and rural development.
• Prior experience with UNDP or other international organizations is an asset.

Required Language(s)         

• Written and spoken proficiency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Spanish is an asset. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.