Volunteer Sustainable Finance & Development Analyst with Animana & Hecho por nosotros

This is an opportunity to work with an Ashoka Fellow

Ashoka Fellows are leading social entrepreneurs that have been taken through a rigorous selection process, testing the quality of their ideas and character, to become part of the Ashoka Fellowship and Network. Ashoka Fellows take on the challenges of building innovative system change ideas to make and spread social impact in a world wrought with challenges. They refuse to let the ‘impossible’ stand in their way to creating a better world.

This is an unpaid, volunteer opportunity

About The Affiliated Organization

Hecho por Nosotros (HxN) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) with consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), dedicated to driving systemic change. We believe in harnessing the power of the creative economy to transform society and create a more sustainable future. Our mission is to provide access and resources for the next generation to experience the interconnectedness between individuals, the world, nature, and business, while fostering systemic change within the framework of the creative economy.

The creative economy and the creative industries offer powerful tools that can serve as catalysts for societal transformation when aligned with our deepest human values. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) Program on Creative Economy, the creative economy encompasses a broad concept centered around the trade of creative goods and services that sustain the activities of creative industries (UNCTAD, 2022). In this context, creative industries are defined by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport of the UK Government (DCMS) as those originating from individual creativity, talent, and skill. Building upon these principles, the creative industries have the potential to generate wealth and employment through the creation and exploitation of intellectual property.

At Hecho por Nosotros, we collaborate with various stakeholders, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), artisans, designers, online sellers, marketing experts, big brands, economic corporations, media, and more. We acknowledge the close ties between the creative economy and the world of arts, inspiring us with audacious and creative designs. However, we recognize that the current business models often perpetuate human exploitation, modern slavery, and have a significant environmental impact. In fact, it is the second most polluting industry globally. With this in mind, we are seizing one of the greatest opportunities for impact – transforming the contemporary creative industry towards a more sustainable and ethical one.

Adriana Marina, Ashoka Fellow and founder of Hecho por Nosotros (Made By Us), along with the social enterprise Animaná, have been leading the charge in advocating for change. Together, we collaborate with over 80 organizations, including Ashoka, Globalizer, C&A Foundation, Ikea Entrepreneurship, Fabric of Change, UN, UNESCO, Ashoka, UNIDO, UNECE, IDB Network, the European Union, as well as local governments and universities in Latin America, Africa (with a focus on Ghana and Nigeria), and international organizations that champion a sustainable and ethical world. As a platform, we provide tools and opportunities to encourage companies to integrate sustainability principles, develop local value chains, and celebrate the history of raw materials. We analyze the impacts of globalization processes and empower consumers to make informed decisions. We firmly believe that young professionals and students are the future agents of change. Through our network, we aim to connect entrepreneurs, academics, craftsmen, students, citizens, NGOs, INGOs, countries, multilateral organizations, producers, cooperatives, and more. Our goal is to bring these stakeholders together to share information and perspectives, addressing the challenges and opportunities of building a sustainable creative industry. By collaborating in this manner, we can shift the paradigm of the creative industry and collectively work towards a more sustainable world.

We focus on the regional context and collaborate with local agents to develop sustainable value chains, promote local natural fibers, and support communities. This bottom-up and geographical approach is crucial for inclusive collaboration and co-creating realistic and impactful solutions. In line with our commitment to transparency and traceability, we are incorporating principles of blockchain and decentralized finance into our tools. We strive to leverage digital and technological innovations to benefit sustainable grassroots initiatives. Now is your chance to join forces with Animaná and Hecho por Nosotros! Together, we can drive positive change and create a more sustainable and equitable future for the creative economy.

For more information, please visit www.hechoxnosotros.org

Job Description

We are seeking passionate and committed volunteers with backgrounds in economics, finance, or development studies to support research and strategic initiatives around sustainable finance. The volunteer will contribute to the design and analysis of innovative financial mechanisms that support grassroots initiatives, creative economies, and circular value chains across the Global South. Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on sustainable finance models, including impact investing, blended finance, decentralized funding, and public-private partnerships.
• Analyze global and regional trends in financing for development and its impact on local NGOs and artisans.
• Support the preparation of reports, proposals, and presentations for international events (e.g. ECOSOC, UNFCCC, UNEP).
• Collaborate on the development of financing strategies to strengthen creative economies and social entrepreneurship initiatives.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts by identifying aligned donors and grant streams, and supporting the development of compelling materials that highlight the impact of our work.
  
  

Please let us know today if you can help!

Volunteer Logistics

Estimated hours required per week: 10-20

The estimated duration of the project is: 3-6 months

This position is Virtual (Remote)

Language Requirements

English; Spanish

Desired Skills And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, development studies, or a related field, with demonstrated interest or experience in sustainable finance or development research.
• Solid understanding of financing for development, with the ability to analyze trends and explore innovative funding mechanisms.
• Skilled in conducting research and preparing high-quality reports, proposals, and presentations for diverse, international audiences.
• Highly organized and self-motivated, with the ability to manage tasks independently and contribute to collaborative projects.
• Proficiency in Spanish is an asset.