Project Analyst - Strategic Fund Unit

Project Analyst - Strategic Fund Unit

Nairobi, Kenya

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.

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.

As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, 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, United Nations Organizations, 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.

The Strategic Funds Unit at the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is a team at the forefront of innovative development finance. Positioned within the Investment and Implementation Division, the unit is responsible for developing and managing a global portfolio of catalytic, blended finance funds and facilities that mobilize public, private, and philanthropic capital to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in underserved markets. Working across the full lifecycle—from early-stage advisory and fund design to structuring, fundraising, and operational support—the team partners with UN agencies, development finance institutions, and private investors to originate and scale high-impact investment platforms. With a strong focus on third-party managed funds and market-based solutions, the Strategic Funds Unit plays a critical role in crowding in commercial capital, testing innovative financial structures, and driving systemic change in frontier and emerging economies.

The Strategic Funds Unit manages an evolving portfolio of blended finance initiatives spanning the full lifecycle of fund development—from early-stage advisory and incubation to structuring and operational delivery. At the preparatory stage, the team is currently supporting initiatives with entities such as the UNFPA and the UNDP Zambia through market scoping and investment case development. In the design and structuring phase, the unit is actively developing major platforms including the cities guarantee Facility, a township facility in South Africa, a pan African health fund, and a renewable energy fund with the Trade and Development Bank. At the operational stage, the team provides ongoing support, to established initiatives such as the BUILD Fund and BUILDER facility, the Nutrition and Supplier Finance Facility, the Innovative Food Systems facility and partnerships with actors such as Meridiam. This portfolio is continuously evolving as new opportunities emerge and existing initiatives transition to implementation and phase out. In parallel, the Strategic Funds Unit plays a critical cross-cutting role across UNCDF by advising regional and country teams on fund design, commercial structuring, governance, and innovative financial instruments in initiatives driven by other units.

The Project Analyst - Strategic Fund Unit will provide cross-cutting project implementation support to the Strategic Funds Unit and broader investment-related initiatives of UNCDF, with a focus on:

• operational,

• analytical, and

• coordination tasks

The Project Analyst - Strategic Fund Unit will be embedded within the UNCDF Strategic Funds Unit and work under the direct supervision of the Strategic Funds Advisor and/or in very close collaboration with relevant project manager for the respective project.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Conduct of research and desk analysis to support project design and implementation

• Conducting background research and desk analysis to inform project design and implementation.

• Preparing first drafts of notes, presentations, and reports

• Support internal and external stakeholder engagements through interviews and meeting documentation.

2. Provide logistics and coordination support for project governance structures

• Coordinate logistics for project governance structures, such as steering committees or project boards, and support the planning of events and workshops, including travel, venue, and communication arrangements.

3. Provide administrative and support

• Preparing procurement documentation, supporting the recruitment and onboarding of consultants, and maintaining project tracking systems.

• Contribute t