Selection process developed by matteria

Location and Work Mode

The role is based within UNICEF's regional office. Candidates are required to reside in Panama, as the position necessitates on-site presence. UNICEF offers a hybrid work model, allowing for three days in the office and two days working from home each week.

Who we are

UNICEF, the United Nations agency dedicated to children, works to protect the rights of all boys and girls, especially the most disadvantaged and those who are hardest to reach. In more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help them survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for education, child health and nutrition; the protection of children from violence and exploitation; the provision of clean water and sanitation to those in need; and protection against climate change and diseases.

We have the world's largest humanitarian warehouse and are also the largest supplier of vaccines globally.

UNICEF is on the ground before, during, and after humanitarian emergencies, bringing hope and life-saving aid.

Our impact

UNICEF has a significant impact on the lives of millions of children worldwide. Here are some key figures highlighting their efforts:

• Nutrition: In 2023, UNICEF and its partners provided life-saving treatment for severe wasting to 9.3 million children—the highest number to date.

• Youth Engagement: In 2022, 10.6 million young volunteers participated in sectors such as climate action and pandemic and emergency response. Additionally, UNICEF's digital platform for youth engagement, U-Report, registered 8 million new users, bringing the total to 27.5 million across 92 countries.

  
  

• Children in Conflict Zones: As of 2024, over 473 million children—more than one in six globally—live in areas affected by conflict, marking the highest number since World War II.

• Child Mortality: The global under-5 mortality rate has declined by 51% since 2000, indicating significant progress in child survival.

  
  

These statistics underscore UNICEF's ongoing commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children around the world.

Purpose of the Position

Central to UNICEF's efforts to maximize sustainable revenue from public and private sectors is Innovative Financing for Children (IF4C), which develops and implements innovative financing mechanisms to mobilize resources for children's welfare globally. These initiatives address critical issues such as climate change, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction, targeting the most vulnerable and marginalized children and adolescents.

UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean's (LAC) vision is to identify and scale up sustainable approaches to funding, financing, and investing in children across the spectrum of public and private sector capital, at global and national level, to exponentially and sustainably accelerate impact for children harnessing opportunities generated by the region's green and digital transition.

This role will be instrumental in exploring, designing, and implementing a variety of financing solutions in collaboration with key divisions in the LACRO Regional Office, Headquarters Divisions and Country Offices in LAC. The role involves making critical contributions to innovative finance structuring, product development, and in coordination with the public and private sector partnership colleagues, the execution of financing strategies to effectively mobilize resources that support UNICEF's mission. 

The role will be responsible for the management of the LAC IF4C portfolio in alignment with LAC's strategic direction for IF4C and UNICEF's global IFAC Strategy.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque ultrices vitae magna sagittis aliquam. Pellentesque quam felis, faucibus vitae nibh quis, fermentum imperdiet ligula. Etiam luctus porttitor quam, nec volutpat sem pretium quis. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the LAC Regional Innovative and Alternative Financing Strategy, in alignment with the Global Innovative and Alternative Financing Strategy and the LAC Regional Resource Mobilization Strategy.

• Lead resource mobilization for LACRO for key innovative development financing products, instruments, and impact investing vehicles to mobilize financing for children from the public and private sectors.

• Ensure efficient coordination between the IFAC community and the specific LAC PFP and PPD teams on all IFAC resource mobilization matters related to companies, foundations, multi-stakeholder partnerships and philanthropists, as well as PPD for public sector partners.

• Lead the development of Innovative Finance Mechanisms, including the design and establishment of financing models—such as sovereign debt restructuring/swaps, bridge financing, sustainability-linked bonds, catastrophe bonds, outcome-based financing, climate financing, and insurance—across the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. These mechanisms will be crafted to align with UNICEF's strategic objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Lead the implementation of Finance Models by facilitating the deployment of innovative financing structures by engaging both public and private sector partners, ensuring UNICEF's initiatives are backed by robust, sustainable funding streams.

• Lead efforts to scale IFAC Projects by providing essential technical expertise in innovative finance, strategy, and product development to expand the reach and impact of IFAC projects, enabling sustainable growth that supports UNICEF's mission in LAC.

• Working through PPD with International Financial Institutions like the Latin American Development Bank (CAF), Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank to mobilize financing for children across LAC.

• In collaboration with relevant PFP and PPD regional and global teams, National Committees for UNICEF and Country Offices, provide resource mobilization and fundraising advice and contribute to the development and management of partnerships with the finance sector, donor governments, and/or foundations, corporates, major donors, or multi-stakeholder platforms involving an element of innovative and/or alternative finance.

Requirements and competences to work with us

Education

• An advanced university degree in international development, finance, economics, public or business administration, or a closely related field is required.

Experience

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience at national and international levels in the Latin America and Caribbean region, specifically in international development, innovative finance, ESG/impact investing, project management, consulting, or related areas.
• Innovative Finance Expertise: Proven experience in innovative finance is essential, with a deep understanding of the innovative finance landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Strategic and Analytical Skills: Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with experience in strategy development highly preferred.
• Finance Structuring Experience: Prior experience in structuring innovative finance products, such as sustainability-linked bonds, impact bonds, outcome-based financing, and debt swaps, is a significant advantage.
• Institutional Experience: Experience with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) is highly valued.

Knowledge and Skills

•  UN System Knowledge: Familiarity with the UN system and UNICEF's mission and operations is an asset.
• Language requirements: Fluency in both English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, or Russian) is an asset.

Competencies

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Works collaboratively with others
• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Innovates and embraces change
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

Our team profile

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Key interests for working with us

If you are passionate about making a real difference for every child and are ready to embrace new challenges in meaningful ways, UNICEF is the place for you.

Reasons to join our team

Joining our team offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of children worldwide. Here are compelling reasons to become a part of our mission:

• Global Impact: UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, striving to protect the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged and hardest to reach.
• Innovative Environment: We are committed to constant innovation, always advocating for a better world for children.
• Professional Growth: Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding, with attractive compensation and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive, and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Collaborative Culture: Our team is dynamic, agile, and strategic, working together to create new financing mechanisms and achieve significant results for children.
• Meaningful Work: Every day, you'll contribute to initiatives that promote education, health, and protection for children, ensuring they have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

By joining us, you'll be part of a dedicated team committed to making a lasting impact on children's lives globally.

Relevant details before applying for this vacancy

UNICEF places a strong emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion within its workforce. The organization is committed to creating a gender-equal, diverse, and inclusive workplace, recognizing that representation is crucial to effectively protect and fulfill children's rights globally. UNICEF values the diverse backgrounds, languages, cultures, abilities, and ethnicities of its staff, viewing this diversity as a driving force behind its innovative and creative work for every child.

To support this commitment, UNICEF has established employee resource groups, including:

• Gender Push: A global network advocating for gender equality in the workplace.
• The Network of Employees with Disabilities: A group supporting employees with disabilities.
• UNICEF/UN GLOBE: A network for colleagues identifying as LGBTQI+.
• Young UNICEF: A network for professionals under 35 years old.

These groups actively contribute to policy development and organizational improvements, ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in decision-making processes.

By fostering an inclusive environment, UNICEF aims to leverage the strengths and talents of a diverse workforce to deliver better results for children worldwide.