Investment Specialist for Asia Pacific, IPSA11 (Homebased) UNCDF - [Open to internal and external applicants]

Background

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. UNCDF's 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, 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Regional Investment Specialists for Asia and the Pacific (depending on the geographic focus of the assignments) and in close collaboration with other colleagues in the front and middle office, the Investment specialist will contribute directly to the development, structuring, approval, and execution of investment transactions as described below.

• Strategic Research and Market Analysis:
  • Lead systematic market scoping to inform investment strategies and identify opportunities to support underserved beneficiaries through appropriately designed financial instruments and technical assistance (TA).
  • Advise on structuring blended finance solutions tailored to specific market and project needs and identify investment opportunities across priority sectors.
  • Map the financing landscape in target countries, identifying key capital providers and financial intermediaries.
  • Analyze prevailing financial terms, instruments, and market conditions to inform structuring decisions.
  • Identify regulatory and policy barriers affecting investment flows and propose mitigation strategies.
  • Monitor trends in blended finance, climate finance, and impact investing relevant to UNCDF's mandate.
• Design of Projects/Financial Mechanisms and Fundraising:
  • Draft investment strategy documents, operational guidelines and structural frameworks for investment vehicles or funds.
  • Provide input on fund governance, operational models, and overall design to ensure alignment with UNCDF's strategic objectives.
  • Support the design of blended finance solutions tailored to market conditions and specific project needs.
  • Design derisking and blended finance approaches that crowd in private capital while ensuring development additionality.
  • Propose innovative structures and support facilities/platforms/pooled mechanisms to address market fragmentation.
  • Recommend appropriate de-risking instruments to catalyze private sector investment.
  • Offer technical guidance on investment readiness for project developers and enterprises.
  • Identify and engage with potential co-investors, development finance institutions, and private sector partners.
  • Contribute to the development of country-specific investment roadmaps, pipelines, and strategic partnerships.
  • Contribute to knowledge products, case studies, and analytical briefs related to investment and blended finance.
  • Support strategic planning, reporting, and donor engagement related to UNCDF's investment portfolio.
  • Represent UNCDF in investment related meetings, working groups, and partner discussions at the country level, as delegated.
• Execution of Investment Transactions:
  • Identify and screen investment opportunities aligned with UNCDF's strategic priorities, supplementary guidelines and SDG targets.
  • Conduct comprehensive due diligence (desk-based and on-site) on selected transactions.
  • Analyze financial statements including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flows.
  • Build and refine financial models to assess investment viability and risk-return profiles.
  • Score credit risk and assess the financial health of prospective investees.
  • Draft investment appraisal memorandums and internal documentation for approval processes.
  • Coordinate with UNCDF's Investment and Finance Oversight Division to ensure compliance with internal investment policies and supplementary guidelines.
  • Support transaction structuring using UNCDF's financial instruments (e.g., concessional loans, guarantees, capitalization grants and performance-based payments).
  • Present investment opportunities to UNCDF's Investment and Disbursement Impact Committee (IDIC).
  • Track and document progress of transactions through the investment cycle including performance monitoring and learning; identify early risks and mitigation; collect and analyse financial and development data.
• Technical Assistance and Capacity Building:
  • Provide ongoing technical assistance for the financial instruments deployed.
  • Design and implement capacity-building initiatives tailored to enhance operational capacities and financial management of the investees to strengthen local deal origination.
  • Assist investees in developing viable business plans and financial strategies.
  • Advise government counterparts and partners on investment related constraints, as appropriate, and contribute to dialogue on enabling environments for private investment.
  • Facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building by sharing best practices and lessons learned with local financial institutions and stakeholders.
• Project Management of Investment-Linked Initiatives:
  • Lead preparation and implementation of annual work plans (AWPs), budgets, and activity schedules.
  • Coordinate day-to-day project operations, partner engagement, and delivery of technical assistance that supports investment readiness or transaction preparation.
  • Prepare high-quality donor reports (narrative and financial) and ensure compliance with UNCDF and donor requirements.
  • Oversee M&E processes, ensuring indicators capture both programme and investment results (e.g., pipeline progress, capital mobilisation, enterprise capacity).
  • Maintain project documentation, track financial delivery, and support steering committee meetings.
  • Lead project close-out, including final reporting and documentation of lessons learned.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigating complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

• Systems Thinking (Business Direction & Strategy): Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
• Knowledge Generation (Business Development): Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
• Communication (Business Management): Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Working with Evidence and Data (Business Management): Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
• Development finance expertise (Finance): Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance, etc.