Senior Consultant to Develop UNICEF´s Strategic Roadmap to partner with the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Latin America and the Caribbean (Home Based)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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UNICEF’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LACRO) is looking to recruit a senior consultant to develop a strategic roadmap for expanding its engagement with the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This consultancy will support UNICEF in

1. identifying entry points and leveraging opportunities for collaboration with the World Bank and the IDB across the region, with clarity on UNICEF’s role at both regional and country level
2. Consolidate these entry points in a clear road map of opportunities in countries to leverage investments and policies that benefit children and adolescents.
3. Help build opportunities to advance dialogue and exchange at both regional and country level with both World Bank and IDB.

The primary objective of this consultancy is to support UNICEF’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean in developing a strategic roadmap for engagement with the World Bank and the IDB. The consultant will identify and analyze opportunities for collaboration, propose effective modalities for partnership, and design approaches to influence World Bank and the IDB investments and decision-making processes in ways that advance UNICEF’s mandate for children and adolescents across the region.

The consultant will undertake a comprehensive analysis of the landscape of World Bank and the IDB operations in LAC, financing mechanisms and thematic priorities. Focus will be on identifying areas of convergence with UNICEF’s strategic priorities, mapping potential entry points for engagement across LAC countries and sectors, considering both ongoing and upcoming World Bank and the IDB strategic priorities and projects. This mapping will be informed by consultations with World Bank and the IDB teams, as well as government counterparts, and will include reviewing World Bank and the IDB country strategies, investment portfolios, and regional thematic initiatives to identify where UNICEF can add value and influence outcomes for children.

The consultant will explore how UNICEF, as a UN agency, can position itself as a strategic partner in programmes financed by the World Bank and/or IDB, including through technical assistance, policy dialogue, innovative financing and joint programming, among others. A key component of the consultancy will be to identify high-value partnership modalities/roles for UNICEF´s collaboration with the World Bank and the IDB which can be replicated and scaled across the region, drawing on past experiences and best practices from other actors. This will include also up to date experience and partnership with other UN agencies in the region.

The consultant will also propose UNICEF-specific strategies for influencing World Bank and the IDB investments and decision-making processes. This includes identifying the most effective channels for 

engagement—at the country level, regional level, and headquarters—and recommending approaches for advocacy and relationship-building with key stakeholders. This will include also a specific and detailed contacts to target for engagement, and identification of effective modalities to influence decision-makers.

As part of the consultancy, the consultant will conduct a review of the World Bank and the IDB’s experience with innovative finance in LAC, including instruments such as blended finance, development impact bonds, and results-based financing, among others. The review will assess the relevance and potential of these instruments for UNICEF’s programming and resource mobilization efforts.

Deliverables of the Consultancy:

A two-page work plan and methodological proposal submitted as part of the application, outlining the consultant’s approach to the assignment. The selected consultant will develop as part of the consultancy:

• A revised and detailed work plan developed after initial consultations with UNICEF, aligning with priorities and expectations (inception report).
• A comprehensive outline for an engagement strategy for UNICEF´s collaboration with the World Bank and the IDB in Latin America and the Caribbean, and a road map outlining next steps.
• A first draft of the strategy document presenting initial findings, recommendations for strengthened UNICEF collaboration with both development banks.
• A final version of the strategy integrating UNICEF feedback and including an executive summary, offering a clear and actionable roadmap for collaboration.
• A specific roadmap for opportunities at regional and global level including a specific window on innovative financing opportunities. Proposed entry points and moments of dialogue and exchange, detailed contacts and suggested next steps.
• Three country-specific engagement roadmaps, each representing one sub-region—Caribbean, Central America, and South America-providing tailored guidance for UNICEF’s strategic engagement with the World Bank and the IDB in those countries.
• A professionally designed PowerPoint presentation summarizing the strategy and country roadmaps.

Additional considerations:

• The consultant will receive support from UNICEF to identify key informants for the development of the consultancy; however, the consultant is expected to have sufficient knowledge of the World Bank and the IDB and access to key stakeholders for the development of key deliverables.
• The consultant will also be expected to hold consultations with key UNICEF staff/teams to inform the initial design of the strategy, as well as for validation and feedback.
• The final products will be developed in English and are expected to be professionally edited and designed when submitted for final approval.
• The consultancy is expected to take place between 20 May-31 December  with an estimated requirement of 40-50 consultancy days spread during this period.
• The consultancy will require a presentation of the strategy to UNICEF´s senior leadership team in LAC.

The consultant should include in the proposal one mission to the LAC region with the potential to visit 2-3 countries to be agreed with UNICEF.

Work Assignments Overview:

• Education: Economics, Finance, International Relations, or a related field and a relevant Master´s degree.
• Technical knowledge, expertise and skills:
  • Minimum 10 years of experience working with International Financial Institutions.
  • At least 5 years of experience working with, or in collaboration with, the World Bank and the IDB in the LAC region.
  • Previous experience working with, or in collaboration with, the United Nations agencies is required.
  • Experience working with, or in collaboration with, UNICEF is an asset.

• Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in English is required, intermediate Spanish is desirable, and French and Portuguese are assets.
  • Expertise in development financing is required, including strong skills in innovative finance.
  • Strong writing skills in English required
  • Strong capacity to deliver well-designed, formatted and visually engaging written products and presentations.

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Consultants must have their own equipment, tools and materials needed to perform their services. They will use their own laptops/computers, any application or system needed to complete the assignment. They need to provide the full service without using UNICEF resources. ​​​​​​​The access to UNICEF email and system is restricted to UNICEF staff therefore consultants should not be granted access unless it is imperative to complete the assignment.

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female and male are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Advertised: 13 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 19 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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