Investment Specialist

Result of Service

1. Draft and final 12-month workplan for the Consultant and CoE staff to jointly implement the first year of the IIF. 2. Draft and final PowerPoint presentation outlining the IIF vision, implementation workplan and outreach pitch for the IIF launch at the SIDS Global Business Network (SIDS-GBN) Forum. 3. Draft and final engagement plan for pilot SIDS, including screening criteria for participating NFPs, a CoE engagement strategy for pilot SIDS, and initial project preparation guidance for participating NFPs. 4. Successful launch of the IIF at the SIDS-GBN Forum. 5. Draft and final training materials for CoE staff on FDI policy and investment promotion. 6. Draft and final PowerPoint presentations to facilitate brainstorming sessions with CoE staff and key IIF stakeholders on the operational model. 7. Delivery of training and operational brainstorming sessions for CoE staff. 8. Draft and final IIF operational model, including governance framework and staff Terms of Reference. 9. Draft and final NFP guidelines covering project identification, investor readiness, engagement with development partners and use of IIF tools. 10. Draft and final development partner database informed by pilot SIDS engagement and NFP submissions. 11. Draft and final Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework for the IIF, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for individual staff. 12. Planning workshop with CoE staff to prepare implementation of the operational model and deployment of the guidelines, databases and M&E framework. 13. Training and mobilization of the first pilot SIDS NFP and relevant partners on applying IIF tools to develop an investor-ready project pipeline. 14. Remote training and mobilization of the second and third pilot SIDS NFPs, with progressive transfer of delivery responsibilities to CoE staff. 15. Establishment and configuration of an online project planning and client relationship management platform for CoE staff, including customized fields, dashboards and project-tracking functionality. 16. Mapping of current and anticipated CoE staff roles against staff TORs, client NFPs, the IIF operational model, M&E framework and the online project planning and client relationship management platform. 17. Draft and final investment brief templates for three priority project types/sectors. 18. Draft and final private investor database covering priority investors across three sectors/project types. 19. Draft and final practical tools (minimum three) to support stakeholder mobilization, project pipeline development and private sector engagement by client NFPs. 20. Client NFP outreach completed to a minimum of nine prospective private investors. 21. Remote training of pilot SIDS NFPs to enable national stakeholder teams to develop investment-ready project pipelines. 22. Completion of one to two Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programmes for participating client NFPs. 23. Ongoing coaching of the first pilot SIDS NFP, jointly with CoE staff, through stakeholder engagement, project pipeline development, investor outreach and application of IIF tools, with progressive transfer of responsibilities to CoE staff by the end of the consultancy. 24. Draft and final end-of-year performance report, based on data and analytics generated through the online project planning and client relationship management platform, including recommendations for strengthening implementation. 25. Completion of coaching and capacity transfer to CoE staff across all aspects of NFP engagement, stakeholder mobilization, project pipeline development, development partner engagement, investor outreach and application of IIF tools.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will support the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS), through the operationalization of the Island Investment Forum (IIF) as part of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Centre of Excellence (CoE). To support SIDS in addressing challenges and achieving resilient prosperity, the SIDS Unit of the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), is mandated to foster achievement of the development aspirations set in ABAS. As part of this, OHRLLS supports the development of the SIDS CoE which is a key initiative under the ABAS, designed to enhance the capabilities and resilience of SIDS, through innovative practices, research and collaboration. The COE is located in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. A key component of the COE is the IIF, and both the COE and IIF are welcomed in the ABAS as well as the Sevilla Commitment, as key initiatives supporting SIDS' sustainable development. Under the supervision of the head of the SIDS Team of OHRLLS, the consultant will deliver across five interrelated workstreams. Where practical, the consultant should leverage opportunities to coordinate delivery of activities through partnerships with entities providing similar support in SIDS, including regional and global development banks, development finance institutions and development partners, to ensure the lean structure of the IIF can achieve maximum impact. All work should be based on initial documentation created on the IIF, as well as existing conversations that have been held on this topic. 1. Strategic Planning and Operational Design Provide substantive inputs and overall guidance in close consultation with the CoE, to a strategic vision and operational model for the IIF that clearly articulates its unique value proposition in supporting foreign direct investment (FDI) cultivation efforts across SIDS. This shall include preparation of a practical implementation workplan; development of the IIF operational model, technical advice and inputs to the governance framework and staff Terms of Reference; design of a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework, including key performance indicators (KPIs) for individual staff; and establishment of simple platforms, utilizing Microsoft Excel and free online software, to support COE colleagues and national governments in managing and tracking client relationships and identifying potential partners across development banks and other public or philanthropic investment facilities, as well as private sector entities that are likely to invest in SIDS. 2. Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Strengthening Support the establishment of the IIF through targeted stakeholder engagement and institutional strengthening activities. This shall include development of engagement and outreach strategies to secure participation from pilot SIDS through designated National Focal Points (NFPs), as well as engagement with development partners. The Consultant shall develop training materials and deliver capacity-building activities for relevant CoE staff on FDI policy, investment promotion and operation of the IIF, while progressively transferring knowledge and responsibilities to ensure long-term institutional sustainability. 3 Development of Operational Tools and Knowledge Resources Develop the operational guidance, tools and reference materials required for effective implementation of the IIF. This shall include guidelines for National Focal Points (NFP) to systematically identify promising investment opportunities, provide technical advice to government partners in preparing projects for investor readiness, and support their preparations for, and engagement with, development partners and private investors. The Consultant shall also develop investment brief templates for priority project types, establish databases of relevant development partners and private investors, and prepare other practical tools to strengthen stakeholder mobilization, project pipeline development and investment facilitation. 4. Pilot Implementation and Capacity Development Support implementation of the IIF through coaching and mentoring of CoE staff and NFPs from an initial cohort of 2-4 pilot SIDS. Activities shall include training NFPs in applying the operational guidelines and tools; supporting the identification and preparation of investor-ready projects; facilitating engagement with development partners and private investors; assigning and progressively transferring responsibility for country portfolios to CoE staff; training Trainers within participating SIDS to build national pipeline development teams; and providing ongoing advisory support during implementation, including remote technical assistance, as required. 5 Monitoring, Performance Assessment and Knowledge Transfer Support the CoE in monitoring implementation and institutionalizing knowledge gained during the first year of the IIF. This shall include establishing staff responsibilities for client engagement and project portfolios; guiding CoE staff in the use of the online project planning and client relationship management platform for monitoring implementation; preparing an end-of-year performance assessment, including recommendations for strengthening the operational model; and ensuring effective transfer of knowledge, tools and coaching methodologies to enable CoE staff to independently support participating SIDS beyond the consultancy period.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in an area related to economics, policy development and governance, operations management, public finance or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum 10 years' progressive experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and multi-stakeholder institutional development is required. Strong understanding of investment facilitation and financing mechanisms particularly in the context of small island developing States or developing economies is required. Proven experience in setting up or managing development partnerships, governance structures, and blended finance mechanisms is required. Demonstrated background in capacity building, knowledge transfer, and operational systems design is required. Experience working with or advising SIDS governments and development institutions is required. Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership development skills, particularly with multilateral organizations and private sector partners, experience with developing partnerships in SIDS and developing countries are desirable. Familiarity with public-private partnerships, data-driven platforms, and investment instruments are desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English (both in oral and written) is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE 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.