BACKGROUND AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyse an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.
UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.
As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, UNOs, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources.
UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways to mobilize investments flows from other sources, from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. UNCDF’s work is focused on six priority areas, including: Sub-national and local infrastructure financing, Women focused/owned enterprise financing, Nature, climate and energy financing, Sustainable food systems financing and Inclusive digital finance.
Within the thematic area of nature and climate financing, UNCDF is tackling the interconnected challenges of climate change, clean energy access, and biodiversity conservation in LDCs through innovative financing mechanisms and strategic investments that aim to drive financing to underserved, high-risk markets. Seeing that LDCs are disproportionately impacted by climate change and biodiversity loss, UNCDF deploys tailored financial instruments to de-risk investments in nature-positive, climate-smart enterprises and clean energy projects.
Within the thematic area of sustainable food systems finance, UNCDF is driving the transformation of food systems in Least Developed Countries by deploying innovative financing solutions that enhance sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. Recognizing the pivotal role of smallholder farmers, Micro-, Small-, and Medium-sized Enterprises and local governments in global food production, UNCDF focuses on mobilizing capital for investments that strengthen food security and improve livelihoods.
To continue driving these objectives, UNCDF seeks to hire an Investment Specialist to lead investment-related activities, assess opportunities, and manage financial instruments that drive sustainable private sector growth in target countries within UNCDF’s nature and climate portfolio.
The Investment Specialist will work 90% on UNCDF projects within the nature and climate portfolio and 10% dedicated to UNCDF corporate activities. The Investment Specialist will have multi-country responsibilities and be required to travel approximately once every six weeks within Africa.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or relevant related field is required, OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

MINIMUM YEARS OF RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 5 years (with a master’s degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor’s degree) experience structuring and underwriting concessional investments with a social mission in emerging/frontier markets, is required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Experience in MSME lending, including credit appraisal and evaluation, financial analysis, financial modeling and forecasting, and loan portfolio management.
• Experience in underwriting grants, debt, or guarantees.
• Experience in emerging market financing and investments in LDCs.

DESIRED SKILLS IN ADDITION TO THE COMPETENCIES COVERED IN THE COMPETENCIES SECTION

• Experience with UNCDF/UNDP rules and procedures.
• Experience working with Global Funds, IFIs, UNCDF and/or another UN entity.
• Experience in emerging market financing and investments seeking to reduce drivers of food insecurity and environmental degradation.
• Demonstrated experience working on investments with a social mission in Africa

RIGHT TO SELECT MULTIPLE CANDIDATES

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.