UN Women Consultancy: Advancing Innovative Financing for Care Systems in Africa|Deadline 16 Apr 2026

The consultancy opportunity with UN Women to conduct a regional study on innovative financing for care systems in Eastern and Southern Africa represents a critical intersection of gender equality, economic policy, and sustainable development. This role is designed for experienced professionals who can bridge research, finance, and policy to address one of the region’s most pressing yet underfunded challenges—the care economy.

Understanding the Context: The Care Economy Crisis

Across Eastern and Southern Africa, unpaid care work remains a major structural barrier to gender equality. Women in the region spend significantly more time on unpaid domestic and care responsibilities than men, limiting their access to education, employment, and leadership opportunities.

Key realities shaping this consultancy include:

• Women perform over three times more unpaid care work than men
• Unpaid care contributes significantly to national economies if monetized
• Limited infrastructure and services intensify care burdens, especially in rural areas
• Climate change further exacerbates care responsibilities

Addressing these challenges requires not only policy reform but also innovative financing solutions that can mobilize large-scale investments.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive regional study exploring how innovative financial instruments—particularly gender bonds and blended finance—can be leveraged to support care systems.

The consultant will:

• Analyze existing financing models across 25 countries in the region
• Examine how public and private sectors can collaborate to fund care systems
• Provide actionable recommendations for scaling innovative finance
• Contribute to policy discussions on gender-responsive economic strategies

This work will ultimately support governments, development partners, and investors in designing effective financing mechanisms for care infrastructure and services.

Scope of Work and Key Deliverables

The consultancy spans 60 working days over four months and is structured into several phases:

Inception Phase

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of global and regional literature
• Develop an analytical framework and methodology
• Propose case studies and country examples

Data Collection and Analysis

• Map financing instruments such as:
  • Gender bonds
  • Social bonds
  • Sustainability-linked bonds
• Assess regulatory frameworks across countries
• Analyze the roles of governments, private sector, and development partners

Reporting and Synthesis

• Produce a detailed regional report combining:
  • Cross-country analysis
  • Case studies
  • Policy recommendations
• Include practical guidance on structuring financing instruments

Validation and Dissemination

• Present findings at a validation workshop
• Revise the report based on stakeholder feedback
• Support dissemination through presentations and summaries

Innovative Financing: A Game Changer

The consultancy focuses heavily on innovative financing tools that go beyond traditional public funding. These include:

• Gender bonds: ფინანსական instruments dedicated to gender equality outcomes
• Blended finance: Combining public and private capital to reduce investment risk
• Public-private partnerships (PPPs): সহযোগations to scale infrastructure and services

These mechanisms are essential for closing financing gaps and enabling investments in:

• Childcare and eldercare services
• Care workforce development
• Time-saving technologies such as clean energy and water systems
• Climate-resilient infrastructure

Required Qualifications and Expertise

To successfully deliver this assignment, candidates must demonstrate strong academic and professional credentials.

Education

• Master’s degree in economics, finance, public policy, gender studies, or related fields
• A PhD is considered an advantage

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 5 years in research and policy analysis related to:
  • Sustainable finance
  • Care economy
  • Gender equality
• Experience working with governments, international organizations, or private sector
• Proven track record of producing high-quality analytical reports

Skills and Competencies

• Strong research and analytical capabilities
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Experience in Eastern and Southern Africa or similar contexts

Why This Consultancy Matters

This assignment is more than an academic exercise—it is a strategic intervention aimed at transforming how care systems are financed across an entire region.

Its impact includes:

• Influencing national and regional policy frameworks
• Unlocking new sources of capital for social infrastructure
• Promoting inclusive economic growth
• Advancing gender equality at scale

By identifying practical pathways for financing care, the study will help shift care systems from being undervalued social responsibilities to recognized economic priorities.

Application Tips for Interested Candidates

Professionals applying for this consultancy should focus on demonstrating both technical expertise and regional understanding.

Key tips include:

• Highlight experience in innovative or blended finance
• Showcase previous research or publications
• Demonstrate knowledge of gender-responsive economic policies
• Provide evidence of working with diverse stakeholders

Attention to detail is critical, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Final Reflection

The UN Women consultancy on innovative financing for care systems is a high-impact opportunity for experts in finance, policy, and gender equality. It offers a platform to shape transformative solutions that address deep-rooted inequalities while promoting sustainable development across Eastern and Southern Africa.

For qualified professionals, this role represents a chance to influence regional policy, mobilize investment, and contribute to a more equitable and resilient future.

APPLY HERE

Join Our WhatsApp Community

Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.