Sustainable Private Sector Consultant

Result of ServiceThe expected result of the service is to help RCO identify interested companies, opportunities and optimal setup for strengthened collective engagement of private companies in the country on sustainability with UN support. In particular, the contractor should support with: - Map / identify companies in the country engaged on sustainability and their sustainability practices - Meet with companies that have started to engage on sustainability to assess a) their interest to collaborate with other companies to promote sustainability in business, b) Identify aspects of sustainability that are of most interest to further engage on and c) their potential interest to cooperate with the UN - Propose engagement tools and structures for increased engagement of private sector in sustainability, including preliminary agreements for establishment of a collaborative structure (e.g. new platform / association, subgroup in an existing chamber/association, UN Global Compact Chapter, etc.). Develop draft concept, outlining structure and topics of such a collaborative structure - Validate proposals with private sector, UN agencies and other stakeholders The assignment will be paid in 4 installments after completion of each of the following deliverables: a. Draft report with preliminary desk research findings submitted approved by RCO, in line with Point 1 in section “Ultimate result of service” above, to be completed - 15 June 2025, 30% of full contract value b. At least 10 meetings organized with companies and a draft report of findings of meetings submitted and approved by RCO, in line with Point 2 in section “Ultimate result of service” above), 15 July 2025, 20% of full contract value c. At least 10 meetings organized with companies and a draft report of findings of meetings submitted and approved by RCO, in line with Point 2 in section “Ultimate result of service” above), 30 August 2025, 20% of full contract value d. Final Report, incorporating findings of desk research and company meetings and two slide decks submitted and approved by RCO, in line with Point 3 in section “Ultimate result of service” above and requested presentations on meetings with UN team and/private sector completed, 30 September, 30% of full contract value * RCO will be consulted at each step for design and development of products. Work LocationSkopje Expected duration1.06.25-30.09.25 (part time) Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: The Resident Coordinator system in North Macedonia brings together the different United Nations (UN) agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level. The Resident Coordinator system encompasses all organizations of the UN system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in North Macedonia. Working closely with the national government, the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team (UNCT) advocate for the interests and mandates of the UN system while drawing on the support and guidance of the entire UN family. The Resident Coordinator (RC) is supported by a team of professionals in the Resident Coordination Office (RCO) organized around the key functions: • Oversight of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF); • Support to national and UN coordination and aid effectiveness. • External communication and advocacy on system-wide issues such as human rights and gender equality; • Representation of the UN development system and support to UN agencies; • Development and facilitation of shared operational support services; and • Joint resource mobilization and fund management. RCO includes a Team Leader, Economist, Partnership and Financing, Data and Analytics; and Communication officers, a Human Rights Advisor, Executive and Administrative Assistants and a Driver. RCO needs support from an individual contractor that will focus on private sector engagement, especially support identification of interested private sector companies in sustainability and advise on optimal forms of private sector collective engagement on sustainability to support the rest of the team in the coordination roles and in the monitoring of implementation of the North Macedonia UNSDCF 2021-25. The contractor will complete meetings with private sector companies engaged or intending to engage on sustainability/ESG as well as desk research / survey analysis of the level of engagement of Macedonian companies on sustainability/ESG, in close coordination with the RCO Partnerships and Development Finance Officer. Under this goal, the contractor will perform the following tasks: 1. Analysis and overview of the level and type of engagement of Macedonian companies on sustainability. The desk research should provide a) mapping of companies engaged in sustainability, with analysis of types of sustainability actions of identified companies (e.g. sustainability in company reporting, sustainability activities carried out, organized events on sustainability, engagement with a sustainability platform, adopted sustainability standards, etc.) and b) mapping of existing multi-company activities and platforms on sustainability active in the country. The research should be based on publicly available information (company websites, SEI Net info, reports, online publications, etc.), as well as take into consideration any previously developed studies on the same topic. 2. Organisation of individual meetings with companies to confirm desk research findings and identify companies with preliminary interest in engaging in multi-company activities on sustainability, including discussion to identify key sustainability topics of interest to engage in, preferred forms of joint engagement, and key drivers and challenges on strengthening their sustainability engagement. Further, the meetings should help identify if there is interest for collaboration with the UN. Prepare summary conclusions / notes of each meeting and a list of contact information of meeting partners. 3. Preparation of final report with the proposal and two sets of presentation slides. The report and the first slide deck should highlight the findings of the desk analysis and interviews on the a) current progress on sustainable business practices in North Macedonia, 2) mapping of engaged and interested companies (champions) in adoption of sustainable business practices and 3) mapping of multi-company activities on sustainability that exist / are active in the country, including listing of active national and international support programmes on the same. The second slide deck should be a short presentation (‘sales pitch’) to persuade companies to engage in a multi-company initiative on sustainability, designed based on the findings of the analysis and needs identified in the interview. The individual contractor should be ready to participate in several meetings in September with the UN team and private sector to present the slides, if asked by RCO. Qualifications/special skillsBachelor’s degree, equivalent or recognized degree in business administration, economics, organizational management or other relevant area. Completed professional training on sustainable business standards/ESG is desirable. At least 10 years of experience working with in a position with regular communication with a wide range of companies’ from various industries active on the Macedonian market is required. Experience working with mid-level management of companies or higher is desirable. Experience in and knowledge of ESG/sustainability standards and principles for the private sector is desirable. Advanced knowledge and experience in using Word, Excel, Power Point, and Share Point is required. Strong communication, presentation and report writing skills are required. LanguagesFluency in English and Macedonian is required. Knowledge of Albanian is desired. Additional InformationIf the selected individual contractor is residing in North Macedonia, sporadic meetings in the RCO office in Skopje will be desired. If the expert live outside of Skopje, he/she should plan and include lump sum of travel costs in the offer. No FeeTHE 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.