Overview

The consultant will support nano and micro women-led enterprises in Viet Nam to access financing for renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, enabling them to develop, enhance, or expand their businesses sustainably and in a climate-resilient manner.

Tasks Summary

• Conduct initial consultations with UN Women and UNEP.
• Review EmPower documents, existing literature, and practitioner reports.
• Identify suitable provinces in Viet Nam.
• Identify financial institutions implementing adequate ESG standards.
• Identify financial mechanisms and loan schemes offered by commercial banks to MSMEs.
• Identify 200 women-led NMSMEs with financing needs for renewable energy and low carbon technologies.
• Support these NMSMEs to access loans through coaching, mentoring, and hand-holding.

Experience Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience working with micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with a strong focus on nano and micro-enterprises in Viet Nam.
• Experience in managing livelihoods projects targeting nano, micro and small entrepreneurs or the informal sector.
• Proven experience in facilitating access to finance for MSMEs, including familiarity with loan products, credit procedures, and financial institutions.
• Demonstrated experience in working with women-led enterprises, particularly in rural or underserved areas, with a strong understanding of gender-responsive approaches.
• Experience in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies as applied to small business development is highly desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of Viet Nam.
• Experience working with UN bodies / international organizations / non-profit sector highly desirable.

Qualification Requirements

• Advanced degree or certification equivalent in a relevant field such as social science, finance, economics, business development, business administration, renewable energy, sustainable development, or a related discipline is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Other Details

Languages Required: • Fluency in English and Vietnamese is required.

Languages Preferred: • Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.

Contract Duration: 12 months

Work Modality: Home-based (Viet Nam)