Background

The position is located in UNFPAs’ Strategic Partnerships Branch (SPB) within the Division of Communications and Strategic Partnerships (DCS) and the Arab States Regional Office (ASRO). The Islamic Finance Consultant will directly report to the Strategic Partnerships Specialist in charge of the Individual Giving Programme (IGP) and the Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Officer in ASRO.

UNFPA’s Strategic Partnerships Branch (SPB) is leading corporate efforts to expand UNFPA’s strategic partnerships with the private sector and to mobilize resources from non-traditional partners. SPB established UNFPA’s individual giving programme (IGP) in 2019 with the vision of raising $100 million per year in donations from individuals by 2030. As part of its growth phase, SPB is launching IGP’s Zakat Eligibility project as a pilot for its Islamic Philanthropy Fund. This project aims to launch a Zakat eligibility process to collect and distribute Zakat funds to deliver life-saving services to women and girls in need.

The Islamic Finance Consultant will play a key role in helping UNFPA unlock the potential of this important new source of funding. The position will require travel to the Arab States Regional Office in Cairo along with networking and communication with Islamic Institutions in the region to obtain the required Fatwa by Ramadan 2024. Preparation of the needed documents and an audit of this Zakat pilot project are the main objectives behind this consultancy.

We are looking for an Islamic Finance Consultant to join our team to achieve these deliverables:

Deliverables:

• Prepare needed documents to obtain the Fatwa in collaboration with SPB, ASRO, and Egypt Country Office
• Initiate and cultivate a relationship with Islamic Institutions to obtain Fatwa for Zakat eligibility
• Lead discussions with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Islamic Institution under ASRO supervision
• Follow up on needed documents and pre-requisites for the issuance of Fatwa by Al-Azhar, including the design of the related Fund structure, governance, system of disbursement of funding to beneficiaries, including a results tracking system
• Obtain the required Fatwa to launch a pilot Zakat project by Ramadan 2024
• Support in drafting Standard Operating Procedures for internal stakeholders to collect and distribute Zakat funds according to the Sharia (the Zakat Fund)
• Engage and work with an independent Islamic Organization to audit UNFPA’s Zakat fund
• Overlook and provide oversight over the Translation of documents issued by UNFPA and the Islamic institution from Arabic to English and vice versa

Travel:

The position is remote with 30% travel to Cairo, Egypt.

Education:

A university degree (BA) in Islamic finance, international studies, business/marketing, social sciences or other related fields.

Work Experience/Key Competencies:

• Excellent knowledge, experience, and understanding of Islamic philanthropy policies, laws, regulations, and operations – preferably in the MENA region – at least 5 years of experience in this field
• Excellent knowledge of the main Islamic giving technicalities and Islamic Philanthropy strategies, including Sharia Compliance, and Zakat compliance funding management
• Knowledge of external stakeholders in the realm of Islamic organizations, and philanthropy including scholars and institutions.
• An Islamic legal (Sharia law) background is an asset .
• Fundraising skills are preferred
• Excellent relationship-building skills
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills
• Fluency in English is required, working knowledge of Arabic is preferred

Duration:

8 months – with possibility of extension

How to Apply
Please send your application and a short letter of motivation with “Islamic Finance Consultant” in the subject to [email protected] by 25 August 2023.