Purpose of Assignment
Within the scope of the United Nations SDG Funds, a Joint Programme has been agreed upon to support Seychelles advance on the green economy agenda by activating integrated gender-sensitive and evidence-based policy and financing as catalytic levers. The Joint Programme will contribute to strengthen policy framework, establish financing mechanisms and avail information needed for the private and public sectors to invest in the green economy to accelerate the realisation of the SDGs.
This Joint Programme supports the Government of Seychelles in developing a green/circular economy roadmap and action plan, developing a financing strategy as well as strengthening partnership between the public and private sector to scale up the necessary investments in green economy opportunities in the country, that benefit women, men and youth, and help communities diversify livelihoods, reinforce local resilience, and contribute to poverty reduction.
The Blue Economy Strategic Policy Framework and Road Map for Seychelles articulate an integrated approach to ocean based sustainable development, which brings together the economy, environment and society, consistent with the 2030 Agenda (SDGs). A vital component of the Road Map focuses on the exploration and development of emerging sectors, such as waste management, in the green and circular economy that have the potential to create employment and generate revenue, while conserving the integrity of Seychelles natural environment.
As one of the participating United Nations agencies in this Joint Programme, UNFPA is supporting the conduct of a feasibility study for the development of innovative financial instruments to support youth and women-led green economy initiatives in Seychelles, within the scope of a gender and youth-responsive financing strategy for the development of the green/circular economy in Seychelles.
This feasibility study should aim to provide concrete detailed and specific intelligence, advice and recommendation which the Government of Seychelles would consider and apply when engaging their Circular Economy Roadmap, including guidance on best available and potential financing instruments, solutions.
SCOPE OF WORK
The successful individual consultant would need to undertake this feasibility study over a period of three months from March 2023 to May 2023, responding to the following key questions
Key Questions
● Which innovative financial instruments and solutions are available around the world that support green and circular economy initiatives and that are accessible to particularly youth and women? What are their modalities? How can these instruments be adapted to the Seychelles? These may include, but are not limited to, bonds, blended finance instruments and solutions, equity participation, etc.
● Which financial instruments exist in Seychelles that could support the green and circular economy in the country? What other instruments can be added/offered? These may include, but are not limited to, bonds, blended finance instruments and solutions, equity participation, etc.
● How suitable are those financial mechanisms to youth and women’s needs for funding in the green and circular economy space in Seychelles?
● What is the readiness of youth and women in Seychelles in accessing these financial mechanisms and instruments?
● What are some of the barriers that youth and women in Seychelles face when accessing financing instruments and solutions?
Key Activities
● Conduct preliminary analyses, ensuring input and coordination with relevant institutions, including government, international organisations, and the private sector.
● Conduct focus group discussions as relevant to the analysis with youth and women stakeholders.
● Elaborate on the potentiality of an innovative financing strategy for the green and circular economy in Seychelles, the potential obstacles, competition and investments in the green and circular economy.
● Ensure that the proposed feasibility study is strongly gender and youth responsive through collaborating with UNFPA experts.
Outputs
● A 15-page report with a detailed analysis aligned to the questions and activities highlighted above, including
o Identification of at least 3 innovative financial instruments that can be contextualised to the Seychelles green and circular economy space, as relevant to youth and women’s needs.
o The innovative financing instruments identified should be concrete and readily implementable in Seychelles.
o The recommended financing instruments should be embedded in a broader framework of medium and long-term financial sustainability.
o A potential innovative financing strategy for the green and circular economy space, with a particular focus on youth and women responsiveness of financial tools and instruments.
● An Annex report of not more than 20 pages of the different detailed information in relation to the questions asked, this report should provide interesting contextuallyrelevant examples and case studies of successful innovative financing instruments and solutions for youth and women in the green and circular economy.
Duration and Working Schedule:
This work will require 30 person-days over a period of 3 months. The contract will start on 1 March 2023 to 31st May 2023.
Delivery dates and processes:
The selected consultant will be expected to deliver the following:
● Inception report/work plan for the whole exercise (electronic), (3 days)
● A 15-paged scoping report with a detailed analysis aligned to the questions highlighted above (10 days).
● An Annex report of not more than 20 pages highlighting the different detailed analyses in relation to the questions asked, this report should provide interesting contextually-relevant examples and case studies of successful innovative financing instruments and solutions for youth and women in the green and circular economy (15 days).
● Presentation to and discussion with relevant stakeholders of the Joint Programme (2 days).
Monitoring and Progress:
The selected consultant will be required to provide regular updates through emails, participate in teleconferences as required to monitor adherence to the schedule.
Supervision:
The selected consultant will work under the supervision of the UNFPA Head of Office for Mauritius and Seychelles.
Required Expertise :
The selected consultant must meet the following minimum criteria:
Educational Qualifications: -
Advanced university degree in development studies, public administration, business
administration, finance or other relevant social science.
Experience:
● 10 years or more of relevant professional experience in developing and managing financing instruments.
● Strong understanding of working for/with multilateral organizations (including IFIs), the United Nations, private sector and investors;
● Strong understanding of and experience working with small island developing states contexts and environments;
● Experience leading and working with a range of clients, colleagues, consultants, and other partners with a broad exposure to private and public stakeholders;
● Good knowledge of gender and gender-mainstreaming and experience in leading/supporting the financing of youth and women-led programmes an asset
● Investment experience in a combination of developed and emerging market an asset;
Logistics:
UNFPA and the UNRCO will provide all printing services, booking of appointments, booking of travel and transport to meetings and office space whenever required.
Interested candidates should send their CVs and Cover Letters to the following email address; apolot@unfpa.org latest by 07 Feb 2023 by midnight local time in Seychelles (GMT +4)
