System Development Consultant

Result of Service

As an active member of the FFDS team, the consultant will provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-oriented and high-quality technical services to ESCAP and its beneficiaries in the design, development, delivery and initial operationalization of a sustainability reporting and disclosure system. The ultimate results of service are expected to include the following: • Output 1: Inception, needs assessment, and system design plan completed. This includes consultations with relevant national counterparts, defined functional requirements, defined system architecture, and a comprehensive workplan for development and delivery. • Output 2: A functional sustainability reporting and disclosure system developed and demonstrated for Cambodia SERC, aligned with relevant international sustainability reporting and disclosure standards and local Prakas, and adapted to institutional user needs. • Output 3: Monthly webinar-based capacity-building sessions delivered during the contract period for potential system users, together with related presentation materials, practical guidance and question-and-answer support. • Output 4: E-learning materials and user-support materials developed to facilitate rapid understanding and effective use of the system by government officials and market institutions. • Output 5: Final system delivered to the relevant government agencies, together with handover documentation and final revisions based on user feedback. Performance indicators for evaluation of outputs. • The system is developed in a professional, functional and user-friendly manner and reflects the agreed institutional and technical requirements. • The system appropriately integrates and operationalizes relevant sustainability reporting and disclosure standards (including ISSB, SASB, GRI, and local Prakas) in a practical digital format. • Deliverables are submitted on time and meet the required quality standard. • Monthly webinar-based capacity-building sessions are delivered regularly and effectively, and are well tailored to the needs of potential users. • E-learning materials are clear, practical and suitable for rapid user onboarding. • The final handover package enables the relevant national authorities to use the system with minimal additional clarification.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

15 September 2026 to 15 March 2027

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. The Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division (MPFD) supports member States in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through evidence-based policy research, technical assistance and capacity-building. Within MPFD, the Financing for Development Section (FFDS) supports member States in strengthening sustainable finance ecosystems, enhancing financial sector resilience, and mobilizing financing aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This consultant assignment aims to empower the development of a digital sustainability reporting and disclosure system for the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC). This consultant assignment is part of the Development Account 16 (DA16) project “Catalyzing finance and investments for climate action while ensuring debt sustainability in developing Asia-Pacific countries” within the Financing for Development Section (FFDS) of MPFD at UN ESCAP. This project is expected to enhance the capacity of selected countries in the Asia-Pacific region to mobilize sustainable finance and foreign direct investment, strengthen capacities related to developing green project pipelines and ensure public debt sustainability. The assignment is expected to empower participating member States in strengthening sustainability-related corporate and financial institution reporting and disclosure practices through the design, development, customization and delivery of a practical digital system aligned with internationally recognized sustainability reporting and disclosure standards. The assignment also includes user-oriented capacity-building, including monthly webinar-based training and the preparation of e-learning materials to facilitate the effective use of the system by relevant government officials and market participants. The consultant will undertake the following tasks: • Lead the end-to-end design and development of a sustainability reporting and disclosure system for the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC). • Conduct an initial needs assessment and functional consultation with the relevant government counterparts and, where relevant, market institutions and other stakeholders, in order to identify reporting needs, user requirements, institutional workflows and system specifications. • Develop the system architecture, reporting logic, data structure, user interface and core functionalities necessary to support sustainability-related reporting and disclosure by regulated or relevant entities. • Ensure that the system is informed by and capable of incorporating relevant international sustainability reporting and disclosure standards and local regulatory frameworks, specifically the ESG disclosure Prakas issued by the SERC, alongside international frameworks including ISSB, SASB, and GRI, and other relevant reporting and disclosure approaches as applicable to the country context. • Translate sustainability reporting and disclosure requirements into practical digital workflows, templates, input fields, validation features and reporting outputs that can be used efficiently by public authorities and market participants. • Prepare technical documentation and user documentation for the system, such as system specifications, user guidance, administrator guidance, and maintenance or handover notes as needed. • Test, refine and finalize the system in close consultation with the designated national counterparts, such as incorporating feedback from pilot users or relevant authorities. • Deliver the final system to the relevant government authorities by the end of the contract period. • Lead and deliver at least one webinar-based capacity-building session per month during the contract period for potential users, covering system use, reporting logic, disclosure requirements and related practical issues. • Develop supporting training materials and e-learning materials to enable government officials and market institutions to quickly understand the purpose, structure and use of the system. • Provide technical guidance and support during the rollout and handover phase, such as responding to questions raised by designated national counterparts and supporting initial user familiarization.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable finance, finance, economics, accounting, information systems, computer science, business administration, environmental management, or any other field related to sustainability reporting and disclosure system development. As part of the application process, candidates must record a short demonstration video showcasing the functionalities and user interface of a digital sustainability reporting and disclosure system they have previously developed or are currently developing. The video should be uploaded to a widely accessible platform (e.g., YouTube, Google Drive, or OneDrive with open sharing permissions). Candidates must include the direct hyperlink to this video in both their application materials and their responses to the screening questions. Please ensure the link is publicly accessible and does not require special login credentials or permissions to view. Applications without a valid, accessible video demonstration will be considered incomplete. Candidates must have at least 3 years of professional experience in leading the development of digital systems related to sustainability reporting and disclosure for companies, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, stock exchanges, public institutions, or other relevant organizations. Candidates must demonstrate strong familiarity with major sustainability reporting and disclosure standards and frameworks, including ISSB, SASB, GRI, as well as the relevant local regulatory frameworks such as the ESG disclosure Prakas in Cambodia. Candidates must clearly understand how to translate and integrate such standards and regulatory frameworks into a practical digital reporting and disclosure system. Strong capabilities in delivering capacity-building activities and producing e-learning or digital training content are required. Additionally, candidates must possess excellent interpersonal, drafting, facilitation, and coordination skills, with the proven ability to work collaboratively across multicultural environments and with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Languages

Excellent written and spoken English is required.

Additional Information

Total USD 60k for six months upon the satisfactory delivery of final deliverables, including completion of the monthly webinar-based capacity-building sessions during the contract period, submission of the final e-learning materials, and satisfactory handover of the system to the relevant government agencies. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further consideration.

No Fee

THE 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.