Junior Consultant on Microfinance

Result of ServiceThe Junior Consultant on Microfinance will collaborate in the effective implementation of meetings and workshops with partners and stakeholders, including timelines and obtaining expected results, integrating inputs and feedback for the implementation of the project ‘Promoting sustainability in the agave-mezcal value chain through restoration and integrated management of biocultural landscapes in Oaxaca’; specifically in the promotion and use of the financial mechanism established with FIRA which would benefit the small producers of agave and mezcal participating in this project. Work LocationHome-based Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Moreover, in August 2020, the United Nations System in Mexico signed a Cooperation Framework with the Mexican Government, which considers four priorities areas including \"Green Economy and Climate Change\"; a working group which is coordinated by UNEP and with the participation of around 11 UN agencies and programmes. UNEP Mexico collaborates with the Mexican government and other national stakeholders in areas ranging from climate change, resources efficiency, environmental governance, to projects on ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of chemicals and plastic pollution, and supports the country in its transition to a Net Zero and green economy. In this extent, UNEP implements in Mexico around 20 projects and initiatives. The Project ‘Promoting sustainability in the agave-mezcal value chain through restoration and integrated management of biocultural landscapes in Oaxaca’ seeks to foster sustainable practices in the agave-mezcal value chain in the Oaxaca Mezcal Region through an integrated landscape management approach that privileges non-monoculture cultivation, species protection and the maintenance of ecosystems services. The project will achieve its objectives by strengthening the national regulatory and governance framework, the mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation, Integrated Landscape Management (ILM), and by establishing a Sustainable Agave-Mezcal Value Chain and the management of associated knowledge. The project will be implemented for a period of 5 years starting 2023, is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and executed by Pronatura Sur A.C. and the Latin America and the Caribbean Office of UNEP through its Country Office in Mexico. Other important participants in the project are the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Ministry of Agriculture (SADER), the National Commission on Biodiversity (CONABIO), the National Commission on Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the Ministry of Finance (SHCP), the Ministry of Wellbeing (Bienestar), Trusts Established in Relation to Agriculture, Livestock, and Poultry Farming (FIRA), development bank that supports agricultural and rural sectors, and the Government of Oaxaca through its Secretariat of the Environment, Energy and Development (SEMAEDESO). In August 2025, Pronatura Sur, FIRA and UNEP launched a financial mechanism to support small producers participating in the project. The financial mechanism aims to support working capital and equipment of small producers of agave and mezcal through a credit guarantee and interest rate incentives offered to savings local houses through FIRA´s Program for the Financial Inclusion of Priority Populations (PROIF) Program. The institutional arrangements of the project consider that UNEP Regional Office/ Country Office in Mexico to develop financial mechanisms to support small producers of agave and mezcal. Among several consultancies, a Junior Consultancy on Microfinance will be hired during the execution of the project, and it will provide to UNEP Mexico Office. The incumbent will conduct his/her work under the direct supervision of the UNEP´s Country Representative for Colombia. The consultant will work full time, 40 hours in home-based modality. Specific tasks and responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of UNEP´s Country Representative for Colombia on the technical aspects of the financial mechanisms, the consultant will perform the following duties: 1. Visit and meet with small producers of agave and mezcal to present the Guarantee by UNEP-Pronatura Sur and FIRA-PROIF. 2. Contribute with the design and implementation of workshops and other activities related to financial education and loans management, benefiting small producers of agave and mezcal. 3. Collaborate with the design and implementation of surveys to identify the financial needs of the producers in the agave-mezcal value chain. 4. Produce a georeferenced directory on local producers of agave and mezcal and their diverse financial needs. 5. Conduct interviews with agave farmers, mezcal producers, stakeholders and strategic project actors with regards to their financial needs and elements in the agave-mezcal value chain. 6. Provide guidance small producers of agave and mezcal who participate in the project to fill out their credit applications to use the Pronatura-FIRA financial mechanism. 7. Collaborate with UNEP Mexico Office in the implementation of the Project “Promoting sustainability in the agave-mezcal value chain through restoration and integrated management of biocultural landscapes in Oaxaca” in cooperation and coordination with Mexican partners of the Federal and State Governments, and other organizations such as development banks, financial institutions, local producers of agave and mezcal, financial intermediaries, potential investors and other organizations. 8. Participate in meetings related to the organization and establishment of small producers’ cooperatives including legal and fiscal requirements. 9. Participate in meetings and workshops related to the development of the “Sustainable badge” of agave and mezcal as well as in meetings in relation to the access of sustainable mezcal in national and international markets. 10. If required, provide guidance to small producers of mezcal who participate in the project in the process of their brand creation. 11. If required, collaborate and participate in the process of strengthening the designation of origin of Mezcal. 12. Provide relevant information to UNEP’s Mexico communication team for the dissemination of the project and its advancements and results. 13. Drafts inputs for a wide range of meeting notes, internal minutes, documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, correspondence, presentations, communication/dissemination products, etc. as required. 14. Conduct administrative duties, as required (e.g., operational travel programme; monitoring accounts and prepare supporting documents for payment to vendors and individual contractors for services; organizing and coordinating seminars, conferences, and translations). Qualifications/special skillsBachelor’s degree in Business, Administration, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Natural Resources Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Agriculture, International Affairs, Sustainable Development, is required. Two (2) years of’ professional experience in administration, finance, environmental, agriculture and/or forest projects, social development and/or sustainable development topics, is required. Experience in the finance aspects of the agricultural and forest sectors will be desirable. Experience working with the development institutions and funds is desirable. Experience working with bank intermediaries for small agriculture producers is desirable. Experience working with local communities and/or indigenous peoples is desirable. Experience working on projects’ implementation is desirable. LanguagesFluency in Spanish is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.