Adviser, Strategy for Local Development Finance
CONSULTANCY: ADVISER, STRATEGY FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE
Location : New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Application Deadline : 11-Dec-13
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Starting Date : 16-Dec-2013
Duration of Initial Contract : 8 months (30 days)
Expected Duration of Assignment : 1 year
Background
UNCDF, the UN capital investment agency for the 49 least developed countries, provides seed capital and technical assistance to test new modalities of public and private financing for local development. These investments are designed to leverage financial flows from the private sector, national governments and developments partners, for maximum impact towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The goal of local development is to improve the quality of life of citizens at the grassroots level. The concept goes beyond local governance and decentralized provision of services to the spatial, institutional and economic linkages required for comprehensive development. It addresses the spectrum of shelter and housing, food security, education and health, infrastructure, aesthetic, resilient environment, citizen empowerment and representation, and fulfilling and rewarding economic activity.
Harnessing the Diaspora for Development: Governments in developing countries are often constrained by financial, human capital and governance deficits in meeting these local development goals. The crisis of confidence after the recent financial crisis has further limited access to private financing through traditional financial instruments. Public finance and development assistance alone cannot bridge these funding gaps. Innovative approaches that target new sources are needed to augment available financing to realize the promise of local development. Among the untapped resources available to developing countries are their expatriate communities or diaspora in developed countries. These communities have strong linkages to the local areas they are from and where in many cases their families still reside.
Diaspora’s contribute not just through remittances but also skills and experiences, and direct and indirect investments. They have been instrumental in developing export markets, supply chains and technology transfer mechanisms and in steering business ventures and investment capital to their countries of origin. They also contribute through philanthropic grants. Their financial resources are often underestimated, for instance, their remittances to Asia alone were over $ 200 billion in 2011. These financial flows are steady and often counter cyclical as more funds are sent during tough economic times. Governments have a strong interest in attracting these savings which are a source of hard currency and India and Bangladesh have created a special category of deposit accounts. A few others, namely Israel and India, have from time to time issued diaspora bonds that bought in over $ 35 billion. Despite this, there has been no systematic effort to harness the diaspora’s for development. There is considerable potential to establish them as partners for local development through public private partnerships that involve local, regional and national governments and the private sector. A Diaspora for Local Development Program (D4D) would bridge both the Local Development Fund and the Local Development Finance Initiatives of UNCDF. It also has strong synergies with the Cross Border Local Development Initiative of UNCDF (named LOBI) as many diaspora comes from remote areas and cross-borders ones.
Regional Integration through Cross Border Local Development: UNCDF has a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. These conflict ridden areas are often found in the lagging border regions of developing countries. The potential for trade and development in border regions is often greater across the border and cross border regions and cities could benefit from better coordinated local development. This can also pave the way for lasting peace and stability. In the developing world many borders were demarcated by colonial powers often cutting off what were natural cultural and economic zones. There is considerable potential to revive and/or develop these links. Goods, services, knowledge and people flow across borders in spite of barriers. By making these cross flows more open and structured governments can also bring in additional revenues. Regional integration from below through cross border partnerships for local development can lead the way in tackling common issues like security, food security and climate change.
There is a strong demand from border communities for greater cooperation across borders even when national governments are not so inclined. There are successful examples of structured cross border local development partnerships in Europe some like the EUREGIO established in 1958 on the Dutch-German border predate the European Union. Some of these span several countries like the communities in the Alps and are multi-level and multi-sectoral including partnerships among local governments while others are based on economic advantages like the maquiladoras on the Mexican-US border. More recently efforts are ongoing to increase cross border cooperation in West Africa. The UNCDF has embarked on a five year Local Cross Border Trade Initiative (LOBI) in 2013 to strengthen cross-border governance, socio-economic integration and promote sustainable peace and economic growth.
Strategic Global Partnerships for Local Development: The success of UNCDF’s mission also depends on strategic partnerships with other partners especially the multilateral financial institutions. The World Bank has in the past scaled up the innovations piloted by UNCDF. This partnership which has been intermittent so far needs to be more systematic for greater impact. The World Bank in September, 2013 announced the formation of fourteen Global Practices (GPs) that will replace existing sectoral and regional units from July 2014. A key GP will bring together the Bank’s work on rural, urban and social development with a territorial focus. Given the synergy between the LDF practice at UNCDF and the new GP there is scope for a longer term institutional relationship in which UNCDF pilots and tests innovations in local public and private finance for one project cycle (3 to 5 years) leading to a more structured scaling up by the Bank as appropriate. This could pave the way for co-financing that leverages the mandates and financial regulations of each organization and could involve the WB investing in UNCDF pilots of interest.
The objective of the assignment is to (1) develop and pilot a Diaspora for Local Development Initiative (D4D), (2) expand cross-border local development partnerships and programs under LOBI, (3) facilitate a longer term structured partnership with the World Bank.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall direction of the Deputy Director, Local Development Finance Practice, the Adviser will provide technical leadership, policy advice and will help structure and implement the following:
• Develop, structure and pilot a new Diaspora for Local Development Initiative (D4D);
• Expand and deepen the Cross Border Local Development Initiative (LOBI);
• Facilitate a long term structured partnership with the World Bank;
• Stakeholder communication and advocacy, knowledge management and exchange to achieve these results
Diaspora for Local Development (D4D)
• Map key diasporas including geographical spread, skill levels and resources both human and financial. Survey members on areas they are interested in supporting in relation to local development in their home countries;
• Identify the diasporas’ potential role in local development. This includes the minimal conditions necessary for their effective engagement, possible points of intervention, strategies and modalities for implementation;
• Target and mobilize diasporas to contribute to sustainable local development;
• Facilitate a public-private partnership between diasporas and governments in origin and destination countries and the private sector and other key stakeholders;
• Examine the socioeconomic and political conditions in their countries of origin to identify the development needs of local areas that can be met through the support of the diaspora;
• Determine appropriate policy interventions and develop the institutional relationships and partnerships necessary for piloting this initiative;
• Advice on how UNCDF can partner with the diaspora and develop local development finance program, define what is the UNCDF added value in this field;
• Develop criteria and portfolio of investments and potential pipeline and indicators to assess impact;
• Develop a Draft Concept Note that includes the above elements;
• Organize discussions with relevant stakeholders – organizations and prominent members of the diaspora, chambers of commerce, financial institutions including development partners, national, regional and local governments;
• Finalize CN after obtaining feedback from stakeholders and UNCDF;
• Coordinate any background studies needed to develop a pilot program;
• Facilitate piloting of the program in two countries.
Cross Border Local Development Program
• Identify and facilitate the development of cross border cooperation networks to expand the program into Asia and other regions. This includes examining the challenges to economic, social and territorial cohesion as well as cross border local development potential;
• Identify areas for cross border local development like the management of natural resources, rural and urban development, research, technology and IT, cultural heritage and tourism, human resources development and training;
• Study successful cross border local development partnerships in Europe and other regions to distill best practices and lessons learnt and organize knowledge exchanges, including European policies (FEDER, EDF);
• Develop multilevel policy options for cooperation including regional strategies, networks, funding and institutional modalities. More specifically define what could be a regional cross-border fund;
• Help develop information exchange platforms and support services.
UNCDF-World Bank Partnership for Local Development
• Facilitate a structured long term partnership with the World Bank around local development;
• Arrange discussions and workshops with key officials at the World Bank;
• Provide strategic advice for the development and implementation of the partnershipAbility to leverage finances through innovative finance and partnerships;
• Ability to forge new innovative businesses lines that leverage UNCDF’s mandate;
• Ability to be a leader and change agent, integrating new business lines and structures within existing organizations;
• Ability to build strong client relationships and identify and builds strategic partnerships;
• Strong technical knowledge of local development and practical experience of local development in a developing country context;
• Strong communication skills;
• Able to develop concept papers, presentations, and papers, and present in public forums key issues, assessments, and recommendations;
• Actively builds and contributes knowledge in local development finance area;
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Strong commitment to the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNCDF;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender sensitivity.
Deliverables:
• Draft and final concept note on Diaspora Involvement in the Local Development Finance;
• Draft and final concept note on a cross-border local development financing mechanism .
Competencies
• Analytical and problem solving skills of a high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and advice;
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
• Ability to work independently, manage time, scheduling and logistical issues;
• Strong ability to communicate and function effectively in international/multicultural environment;
• High level planning, organizational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines;
• Well-developed interpersonal skills , including the ability to liaise effectively at senior levels;
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi cultural environment
• Sensitivity to diverse opinions and difficulties arising from differing social and cultural perceptions.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Masters in Economics, Finance, Business or Public Administration or related field.
Experience:
• A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in local development, finance and knowledge management. The major part of this should be in a developing country and with an international financial institution;
• Experience of local economic development in developing countries at the local level is a must;
• Successful track record in innovations in local development and in building innovative partnerships;
• Successful track record in fund mobilization for international development agencies, governments, businesses or non-profit organizations;
• Substantive knowledge on the World Bank policies in the local development field;
• Substantive experience in local economic development and finance;
• Experience of policy advocacy, communication and knowledge management
Language:
• Strong written and spoken English. Knowledge of other UN official languages a plus.
Apply online at: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=42290
Location : New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Application Deadline : 11-Dec-13
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Starting Date : 16-Dec-2013
Duration of Initial Contract : 8 months (30 days)
Expected Duration of Assignment : 1 year
Background
UNCDF, the UN capital investment agency for the 49 least developed countries, provides seed capital and technical assistance to test new modalities of public and private financing for local development. These investments are designed to leverage financial flows from the private sector, national governments and developments partners, for maximum impact towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The goal of local development is to improve the quality of life of citizens at the grassroots level. The concept goes beyond local governance and decentralized provision of services to the spatial, institutional and economic linkages required for comprehensive development. It addresses the spectrum of shelter and housing, food security, education and health, infrastructure, aesthetic, resilient environment, citizen empowerment and representation, and fulfilling and rewarding economic activity.
Harnessing the Diaspora for Development: Governments in developing countries are often constrained by financial, human capital and governance deficits in meeting these local development goals. The crisis of confidence after the recent financial crisis has further limited access to private financing through traditional financial instruments. Public finance and development assistance alone cannot bridge these funding gaps. Innovative approaches that target new sources are needed to augment available financing to realize the promise of local development. Among the untapped resources available to developing countries are their expatriate communities or diaspora in developed countries. These communities have strong linkages to the local areas they are from and where in many cases their families still reside.
Diaspora’s contribute not just through remittances but also skills and experiences, and direct and indirect investments. They have been instrumental in developing export markets, supply chains and technology transfer mechanisms and in steering business ventures and investment capital to their countries of origin. They also contribute through philanthropic grants. Their financial resources are often underestimated, for instance, their remittances to Asia alone were over $ 200 billion in 2011. These financial flows are steady and often counter cyclical as more funds are sent during tough economic times. Governments have a strong interest in attracting these savings which are a source of hard currency and India and Bangladesh have created a special category of deposit accounts. A few others, namely Israel and India, have from time to time issued diaspora bonds that bought in over $ 35 billion. Despite this, there has been no systematic effort to harness the diaspora’s for development. There is considerable potential to establish them as partners for local development through public private partnerships that involve local, regional and national governments and the private sector. A Diaspora for Local Development Program (D4D) would bridge both the Local Development Fund and the Local Development Finance Initiatives of UNCDF. It also has strong synergies with the Cross Border Local Development Initiative of UNCDF (named LOBI) as many diaspora comes from remote areas and cross-borders ones.
Regional Integration through Cross Border Local Development: UNCDF has a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. These conflict ridden areas are often found in the lagging border regions of developing countries. The potential for trade and development in border regions is often greater across the border and cross border regions and cities could benefit from better coordinated local development. This can also pave the way for lasting peace and stability. In the developing world many borders were demarcated by colonial powers often cutting off what were natural cultural and economic zones. There is considerable potential to revive and/or develop these links. Goods, services, knowledge and people flow across borders in spite of barriers. By making these cross flows more open and structured governments can also bring in additional revenues. Regional integration from below through cross border partnerships for local development can lead the way in tackling common issues like security, food security and climate change.
There is a strong demand from border communities for greater cooperation across borders even when national governments are not so inclined. There are successful examples of structured cross border local development partnerships in Europe some like the EUREGIO established in 1958 on the Dutch-German border predate the European Union. Some of these span several countries like the communities in the Alps and are multi-level and multi-sectoral including partnerships among local governments while others are based on economic advantages like the maquiladoras on the Mexican-US border. More recently efforts are ongoing to increase cross border cooperation in West Africa. The UNCDF has embarked on a five year Local Cross Border Trade Initiative (LOBI) in 2013 to strengthen cross-border governance, socio-economic integration and promote sustainable peace and economic growth.
Strategic Global Partnerships for Local Development: The success of UNCDF’s mission also depends on strategic partnerships with other partners especially the multilateral financial institutions. The World Bank has in the past scaled up the innovations piloted by UNCDF. This partnership which has been intermittent so far needs to be more systematic for greater impact. The World Bank in September, 2013 announced the formation of fourteen Global Practices (GPs) that will replace existing sectoral and regional units from July 2014. A key GP will bring together the Bank’s work on rural, urban and social development with a territorial focus. Given the synergy between the LDF practice at UNCDF and the new GP there is scope for a longer term institutional relationship in which UNCDF pilots and tests innovations in local public and private finance for one project cycle (3 to 5 years) leading to a more structured scaling up by the Bank as appropriate. This could pave the way for co-financing that leverages the mandates and financial regulations of each organization and could involve the WB investing in UNCDF pilots of interest.
The objective of the assignment is to (1) develop and pilot a Diaspora for Local Development Initiative (D4D), (2) expand cross-border local development partnerships and programs under LOBI, (3) facilitate a longer term structured partnership with the World Bank.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall direction of the Deputy Director, Local Development Finance Practice, the Adviser will provide technical leadership, policy advice and will help structure and implement the following:
• Develop, structure and pilot a new Diaspora for Local Development Initiative (D4D);
• Expand and deepen the Cross Border Local Development Initiative (LOBI);
• Facilitate a long term structured partnership with the World Bank;
• Stakeholder communication and advocacy, knowledge management and exchange to achieve these results
Diaspora for Local Development (D4D)
• Map key diasporas including geographical spread, skill levels and resources both human and financial. Survey members on areas they are interested in supporting in relation to local development in their home countries;
• Identify the diasporas’ potential role in local development. This includes the minimal conditions necessary for their effective engagement, possible points of intervention, strategies and modalities for implementation;
• Target and mobilize diasporas to contribute to sustainable local development;
• Facilitate a public-private partnership between diasporas and governments in origin and destination countries and the private sector and other key stakeholders;
• Examine the socioeconomic and political conditions in their countries of origin to identify the development needs of local areas that can be met through the support of the diaspora;
• Determine appropriate policy interventions and develop the institutional relationships and partnerships necessary for piloting this initiative;
• Advice on how UNCDF can partner with the diaspora and develop local development finance program, define what is the UNCDF added value in this field;
• Develop criteria and portfolio of investments and potential pipeline and indicators to assess impact;
• Develop a Draft Concept Note that includes the above elements;
• Organize discussions with relevant stakeholders – organizations and prominent members of the diaspora, chambers of commerce, financial institutions including development partners, national, regional and local governments;
• Finalize CN after obtaining feedback from stakeholders and UNCDF;
• Coordinate any background studies needed to develop a pilot program;
• Facilitate piloting of the program in two countries.
Cross Border Local Development Program
• Identify and facilitate the development of cross border cooperation networks to expand the program into Asia and other regions. This includes examining the challenges to economic, social and territorial cohesion as well as cross border local development potential;
• Identify areas for cross border local development like the management of natural resources, rural and urban development, research, technology and IT, cultural heritage and tourism, human resources development and training;
• Study successful cross border local development partnerships in Europe and other regions to distill best practices and lessons learnt and organize knowledge exchanges, including European policies (FEDER, EDF);
• Develop multilevel policy options for cooperation including regional strategies, networks, funding and institutional modalities. More specifically define what could be a regional cross-border fund;
• Help develop information exchange platforms and support services.
UNCDF-World Bank Partnership for Local Development
• Facilitate a structured long term partnership with the World Bank around local development;
• Arrange discussions and workshops with key officials at the World Bank;
• Provide strategic advice for the development and implementation of the partnershipAbility to leverage finances through innovative finance and partnerships;
• Ability to forge new innovative businesses lines that leverage UNCDF’s mandate;
• Ability to be a leader and change agent, integrating new business lines and structures within existing organizations;
• Ability to build strong client relationships and identify and builds strategic partnerships;
• Strong technical knowledge of local development and practical experience of local development in a developing country context;
• Strong communication skills;
• Able to develop concept papers, presentations, and papers, and present in public forums key issues, assessments, and recommendations;
• Actively builds and contributes knowledge in local development finance area;
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Strong commitment to the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNCDF;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender sensitivity.
Deliverables:
• Draft and final concept note on Diaspora Involvement in the Local Development Finance;
• Draft and final concept note on a cross-border local development financing mechanism .
Competencies
• Analytical and problem solving skills of a high order, including the ability to formulate recommendations and advice;
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
• Ability to work independently, manage time, scheduling and logistical issues;
• Strong ability to communicate and function effectively in international/multicultural environment;
• High level planning, organizational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines;
• Well-developed interpersonal skills , including the ability to liaise effectively at senior levels;
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi cultural environment
• Sensitivity to diverse opinions and difficulties arising from differing social and cultural perceptions.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Masters in Economics, Finance, Business or Public Administration or related field.
Experience:
• A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in local development, finance and knowledge management. The major part of this should be in a developing country and with an international financial institution;
• Experience of local economic development in developing countries at the local level is a must;
• Successful track record in innovations in local development and in building innovative partnerships;
• Successful track record in fund mobilization for international development agencies, governments, businesses or non-profit organizations;
• Substantive knowledge on the World Bank policies in the local development field;
• Substantive experience in local economic development and finance;
• Experience of policy advocacy, communication and knowledge management
Language:
• Strong written and spoken English. Knowledge of other UN official languages a plus.
Apply online at: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=42290
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