Investment Specialist, IPSA 10

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.

Following a recent restructuring, 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 the Executive Board of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and performs the function of the Executive Board of UNCDF.

Within UNCDF’s thematic are of nature, climate and energy financing, the Pro-Congo project, a joint initiative by UNEP and UNCDF under the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) Private Sector Window, aims to support entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Congo Basin countries by providing technical assistance and access to financial instruments including grants and loans, to promote tropical forest conservation, emission reductions, job creation, and biodiversity protection. Targeting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo (RoC), Cameroon and Gabon, the project seeks to drive sustainable economic growth by facilitating access to capacity building, finance and market access for both mature and early-stage businesses.

To facilitate the achievement of these objectives, UNCDF seeks to hire an Investment Specialist to lead investment-related activities, assess opportunities, and manage financial instruments under the project that drive sustainable private sector growth in target countries. 

The Investment Specialist will work 90% on UNCDF projects within the nature and climate portfolio and 10% dedicated to UNCDF corporate activities.

Scope of Work 

The Investment Specialist will provide end-to-end investment support to the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) under the Nature and Climate Portfolio for transactions in DRC, RoC, Gabon and Cameroon. The role will focus on investment structuring and underwriting support for high-priority enterprises that promote forest conservation and restoration, emission reductions, sustainable food systems, job creation, and biodiversity protection.

Duties and Responsibilities

Investment Underwriting & Due Diligence

• Lead the overall sourcing and nurturing of a high-quality project pipeline, including Request for Applications (RFA) processes. 
• Conduct preliminary assessment of the pre-identified investment transactions and prepare pre-assessment memos (PAM) for approval.
• Conduct detailed due diligence on the identified investees, covering financial, operational, legal, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions.
• Validate and refine financial models to assess investment viability, risk-adjusted returns, and potential for scale.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop appropriate mitigation strategies. 
• Prepare high-quality investment memos and recommendations for submission to the UNCDF investment committee for approval.

Blended Finance Structuring

• Design and structure blended finance solutions, integrating catalytic capital with potential commercial co-investment.
• Support negotiations on investment terms and agreements with investees and other financing partners.
• Ensure alignment of investment instruments with UNCDF fiduciary and impact requirements.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Work closely with project partners and UNCDF to ensure alignment on investment strategy, pipeline priorities, and project goals.
• Act as the UNCDF focal point for coordination with investees on technical assessments.
• Support documentation and knowledge sharing.

Monitoring, Reporting & Impact Measurement

• Develop and apply monitoring frameworks to track financial performance, ESG compliance, and environmental and social impact.
• Produce progress reports, investment updates, and lessons learned for UNCDF, donors, and other stakeholders as requested.
• Support the integration of investment learnings into adaptive programme management.
• Conduct on-site due diligence and verification of results as needed.

Support broader UNCDF operations

• Provide internal advisory services for best practices on increasing private sector engagement and finance flows to promote forest conservation and restoration, emission reductions, sustainable food systems, job creation, and biodiversity protection.
• Actively advocate for practices that support the objectives of UNCDF, leveraging professional expertise and networks. 
• Provide expertise on climate/nature/food systems finance including innovative financial mechanisms such as green/sustainability bonds, payments for ecosystem services (PES), carbon credits, and biodiversity offsets. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement 

The Investment Specialist will work under the direct supervision of UNCDF Senior Portfolio Manager for Nature and Climate. The Investment Specialist will be required to report to the office in Kinshasa, DRC. The Investment Specialist will have multi-country responsibilities and be required to travel for on-site due diligence within Central Africa (DRC, RoC, Gabon and Cameroon) approximately every six (6) weeks.

Competencies

Core

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, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic Area Name   Definition

Business Direction & Strategy  Business Acumen 

• Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner likely to lead to a good outcome.
• Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgements and quick decisions within such frameworks. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization.

Business Direction & Strategy - Negotiation and Influence

• Reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations.

Business Direction & Strategy  System Thinking

• 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.

Business Management  - Integration within the UN

• Ability to identify and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN system and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.

Business Management - Results-based Management  

• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Finance - Investment Management

• Ability to manage organization’s assets such as equity, bonds, cash, etc. according to the investment guidelines.

Business Management  - Partnerships Management

• Build and maintain partnerships with a wide network of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and other in line with internal strategy and policies. 

Required Skills and Experience

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.
• Demonstrated experience working on investments with a social mission in Africa is a distinct advantage. 

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 promote forest conservation and restoration, emission reductions, sustainable food systems, job creation, or biodiversity protection.
• International experience working in developing countries in Africa. 

Required Language(s) 

• Fluency in English and French is required.

Professional Certificates

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) diploma, ACCA, CPA, PMP, or similar, is a distinct advantage. 

Travel and Reimbursement

The Investment Officer is expected to render services from the office in Kinshasa, DRC. Frequent travel within Central Africa (DRC, RoC, Gabon and Cameroon) for on-site due diligence will be required and will be paid for by UNCDF, in accordance with UNCDF travel policies. A separate TOR with clear deliverables, budget and timelines will be prepared and agreed prior to each field mission.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

a)           Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

b)           A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

c)           Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Travel:  

i.            Frequent travel within Central Africa for onsite due diligence

ii.           Occasional other international travel may be required

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.