Senior Financial Specialist Consultant

Result of ServiceThe main objective of this consultancy will be bolstering the implementation of the financial mechanism of the GEF Project “Promoting sustainability in the agave-mezcal value chain through restoration and integrated management of biocultural landscapes in Oaxaca” as well as facilitating the implementation of UNEP´s programme of work in Mexico through the participation in discussions and strategic meetings with projects teams, partners, government counterparts and the UN Mexico team; ensuring the alignment of the project goals with broader UNEP objectives and contributing to decision-making processes for successful implementation and expansion of UNEP`s portfolio, including: o Be accountable for the design, development and achievement of the objectives of the Finance Mechanisms, results, and all fundamental aspects of the project’s compliance. o Maintain an excellent relationship with financial and non-financial intermediaries, development banks, commercial banks, small producers of agave and mezcal, potential investors, investment funds, public institutions, private sector, etc. o Maintain an excellent working relationship with the GEF project team. o Be accountable to UNEP Mexico/ROLAC Offices as well as to the National Project Coordinator and Pronatura Sur A.C for the achievement of project objectives and results related to the Finance Mechanisms. o Participate actively in discussions and strategic meetings with the UNEP`s projects teams, partners and government counterparts, mainly with SEMARNAT and the institutions in the environmental sector, as well as with the UN Mexico team, ensuring the alignment of the project goals with broader UNEP objectives and contributing to decision-making processes for successful implementation and expansion of UNEP`s portfolio. Work LocationMexico City, Mexico Expected duration6-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). 1. Purpose (justification for request) 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 and restoration, Integrated Landscape Management (ILM), and by establishing a Sustainable Agave-Mezcal Value Chain and the management of associated knowledge. The project is implemented for a period of 5 years, and it was launched in November 2023. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and executed by Pronatura Sur A.C. 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 Government of Oaxaca through its Secretariat of the Environment, Energy and Development (SEMAEDESO) and UNEP Office in México. The institutional arrangements for the project consider that UNEP Office in Mexico/Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is in charge to develop financial mechanisms to support small producers of agave and mezcal. Among several consultancies, a Senior Financial Specialist consultancy will be hired during several periods during the execution of the project, and it will provide expertise to UNEP Mexico Office. The incumbent will conduct his/her work under the direct supervision of the Regional Deputy Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Office (hereafter UNEP LACO) and UNEP´s Country Representative for Colombia on the Technical aspects of the financial mechanisms. The consultant will work full time, 40 hours per week at the UNEP’s Mexico Office LAC Office, located in Mexico City, Mexico. Specific tasks and responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Regional Deputy Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Office and UNEP´s Country Representative for Colombia on the technical aspects of the financial mechanisms, the consultant will perform the following duties: 1. Contribute to the formalization and operation of the Credit Guarantee already established with development bank FIRA (Fideicomisos Instituidos en Relacion con la Agricultura) through its Program for Financial Inclusion for the Priority Population (Programa para la Inclusion Financiera a la Población Prioritaria, PROIF) including but not limited, the definition and/or review of eligibility criteria, territorial coverage, priority activities and lending priorities, among others. 2. Collaborate with the hiring of junior finance consultants and provide expertise to their work with small producers of agave and mezcal, including but not limited to i) financial education workshops, ii) interviews with agave farmers, mezcal producers, stakeholders and strategic project actors regarding their financial needs and elements in the agave-mezcal value chain. iii) Design and implementation of surveys to identify the financial needs of the producers in the agave-mezcal value chain. iv) Collaborate in the creation of producers´ cooperatives, trade companies or other types of business organization. 3. In collaboration with the project´s National Coordinator, Pronatura and UNEP, design, propose and develop other financial mechanisms and/or business models to benefit small producers of agave and mezcal, including but not limited, trust funds, revolving funds, donations, guarantees, interest rate subsidies, etc. 4. Organize working meetings with financial and non-financial intermediaries, including development banks, commercial banks, savings cooperatives, small producers of agave and mezcal, potential investors, investment funds, public institutions, private sector, etc. 5. Review UNEP ´s Mexico project portfolio to identify synergies between this GEF project and other projects and initiatives in the country, including the participation in meetings with UNEP´s counterparts. 6. Identify and, with UNEP guidance, coordinate new areas of cooperation on biodiversity climate change-pollution themes with SEMARNAT and its institutions. 7. Contribute to UNEP ROLAC/Mexico to identify project ideas to be considered to international funds and donors such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF9), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, The International Climate Initiative (IKI), among others. 8. If required by UNEP, participate in meetings, workshops and working groups related to the UN Cooperation Framework in Mexico to facilitate the inclusion/reinforcement of the environmental dimension. 9. Maintain productive working relationship and organize periodic meetings with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Ministry of Agriculture (SADER), the Ministry of Finance (Hacienda), the National Commission on Biodiversity (CONABIO), the National Commission on Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the Forestry National Commission (CONAFOR), the Government of Oaxaca through its Secretariat of the Environment, Energy and Development (SEMAEDESO), and all other project partners and allies such as GIZ Mexico, WRI, Fondo Mexicano para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza (FMCN), Iniciativa Climática de Mexico (ICM), among others. 10. Participate in meetings of the project's Executive Committee as may be required by the National Project Coordinator and UNEP. 11. Contribute to the development of annual work plans and strategic documents as required by the GEF project in coordination with National Project Coordinator and UNEP. 12. Provide relevant information to UNEP's Mexico communication team for the dissemination of the project and its results. 13. Collaborate with the review of agreement/legal instruments, if required, for the project's implementation. 14. Drafts inputs for a wide range of meeting notes, internal minutes, documents/reports, briefings/debriefings, correspondence, presentations, communication/dissemination products, etc. as required. Qualifications/special skills- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Agriculture, International Affairs, Sustainable Development, or closely related studies, are required. - Master’s degree in business administration, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Agriculture, International Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration, Sustainable Development, or closely related studies, is desired. - Minimum of 7 years’ professional experience in environmental policies and/or sustainability, including at least 3 years in sustainable finance is required. - Experience in project coordination working with the government of Mexico is desirable. - Experience working in climate change, and the agribusiness sector is desirable. - Experience working with local communities and/or indigenous peoples is desirable. - Experience working on internationally funded projects is desirable. - 2-3 years of experience supervising and motivating others, including multi-disciplinary teams, is desirable. Languages- Fluency in Spanish and English 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.