Investment Specialist

Job Description

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/ UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Note: This position is 6 months, full-time with the possibility of extension based on business or project needs and the availability of funds.

Background

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 catalyze 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 in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular 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 three priority areas, including:

• SME Finance

• Sub-National Finance

• Digital Finance

UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.

Special emphasis is placed on supporting investments in the Pacific region, including Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where UNCDF works to address structural constraints such as small market size, geographic isolation, vulnerability to climate change, and limited access to finance. The Investment Specialist will contribute to advancing tailored blended finance solutions and catalytic capital deployment in Pacific markets, leveraging UNCDF’s regional presence and partnerships.

The objective of this assignment is to deploy investment and blended finance expertise to support the origination, structuring, execution, and management of UNCDF’s growing investment portfolio in last mile and underserved markets across programme countries. The selected incumbent will contribute to building a robust and high-impact investment pipeline, with a particular focus on the Pacific region, structuring transactions using UNCDF’s full suite of financial instruments and supporting the deployment of capital in fragile, small-scale, and climate-vulnerable markets.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Investment Team Leads and/or their designate, and in close coordination with UNCDF investment and programme teams, the Investment Specialist will be responsible for the following:

1. Advise and Support Investment Origination and Pipeline Development

• Identify and develop investment opportunities in the Pacific region, including in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), with a focus on sectors such as climate finance, MSME finance, digital finance, and resilient infrastructure.
• Build and maintain a diversified pipeline of investments aligned with UNCDF’s strategic priorities, geographic focus.
• Engage with ecosystem stakeholders, including private sector partners, DFIs, donors, and internal UNCDF teams to originate bankable and impact‑driven opportunities.

2. Lead Transaction Structuring, Due Diligence and Execution

• Lead the structuring and execution of investments using UNCDF’s blended finance instruments (e.g., concessional loans, guarantees, investment grants, and blended finance vehicles).
• Conduct end‑to‑end due diligence, including financial analysis, credit risk assessment, market feasibility, and development impact considerations.
• Apply context-specific structuring approaches suitable for Pacific markets, including small-ticket transactions, local currency solutions, and risk-sharing mechanisms adapted to thin financial markets and limited data environments.

3. Manage Portfolio Management and Performance Monitoring

• Manage an active portfolio of investments, monitoring financial performance, compliance, and achievement of development results.
• Identify risks and underperformance early and recommend appropriate remedial actions, including restructuring or enhanced support.
• Contribute to internal portfolio reviews, reporting, and performance discussions.

4. Ensure Investment Readiness and Market Development

• Contribute to strengthening investment ecosystems in Pacific countries by supporting partner institutions, local financial intermediaries, and policymakers to address systemic constraints to capital mobilization.
• Facilitate access to follow-on financing and support progression toward commercial or institutional funding.
• Identify systemic market constraints and contribute to initiatives that improve access to capital in target segments.

5. Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy

• Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training and other relevant capacity building activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical expertise