Private Sector & Investment Analyst [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

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.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at UNDP.

The Italy–Africa Digital Flagship Programme in Côte d'Ivoire is a partnership between the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, the Government of Italy and UNDP, linked to Italy's Mattei Plan for Africa and to UNDP's PISTA global programme. It brings together three interconnected initiatives: (i) integrated agro-intelligence systems for climate-resilient agriculture, using meteorological, satellite and agricultural data; (ii) the modernisation and digitalisation of irrigation infrastructure for rice production, including dams, irrigation networks and water management systems; and (iii) the establishment of a national AI and Data Innovation Hub to strengthen data infrastructure, artificial intelligence capabilities and the digital innovation ecosystem.

The Programme is currently in its feasibility phase, financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and delivered through the coordinated engagement of the UNDP Rome Centre and the UNDP Country Office in Côte d'Ivoire. Two feasibility studies will be produced – one on climate-resilient agriculture and smart irrigation, and one on the AI and Data Innovation Hub – to define financeable, investment-ready packages suitable for appraisal by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) and other financing partners.

Private sector actors – including engineering firms, agritech companies, digital service providers, cloud and data infrastructure providers, financial institutions and innovation ecosystem stakeholders – are a key target group of the Programme. Their engagement is essential to ensure that the proposed solutions are market-feasible and scalable, and to identify implementation partners, co-financiers and investment opportunities for the subsequent implementation phases.

The Private Sector & Investment Analyst will lead the Programme's engagement with the private sector and financing partners, ensuring that the feasibility studies translate into investment-ready opportunities with credible partnership and financing pathways, in line with the project document and to the required standards of quality, taking into account the implications of time and cost.

Lead private sector engagement and market intelligence for the Programme.
•    Develop and implement a private sector engagement strategy for the Digital Flagship, mapping relevant Ivorian, Italian and international actors (engineering firms, agritech and digital service providers, cloud and data infrastructure providers, startups, financial institutions, industry associations) across the smart irrigation, agro-intelligence and AI and Data Innovation Hub components.
•    Conduct market, sector and partner assessments – including market size, competitive landscape, business models and commercial risks – to inform the technical, institutional and financial design of the feasibility studies.
•    Organise structured consultations with private sector actors at key stages of the feasibility studies (inception, data collection, technical design, draft reporting and validation) to test the market feasibility and scalability of proposed solutions.
•    Carry out preliminary screening and support due diligence on potential private sector partners, covering financial, operational, integrity and ESG dimensions, in line with UNDP policies on private sector partnerships.

Support investment structuring and the definition of financing pathways.
•    Contribute to the financial and economic analysis of the feasibility studies, including business and operating models, public–private partnership (PPP) options, revenue and cost-recovery mechanisms and sustainability scenarios.
•    Support the design of blended finance and co-financing structures combining grant, concessional and private capital, including co-investment and PPP arrangements, aligned with CDP appraisal requirements and the Programme's development impact objectives.
•    Contribute to the preparation of investment notes, investment prospectuses and partner-facing materials, in coordination with the feasibility study consultants, the UNDP Rome Centre and Country Office teams.
•    Support the design and management of calls for expressions of interest or other competitive mechanisms to identify implementation partners and build an investment pipeline, including drafting documentation and evaluation criteria and contributing to the screening of submissions.
•    Engage with commercial banks, development finance institutions and impact investors to assess their appetite for the Programme's investments and identify potential co-financiers.

Build strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization.
•    Liaise with international institutional and financial partners, technology providers and private sector companies to identify opportunities for industrial, technological and investment partnerships under the Programme.
•    Engage with national institutions, development partners and multilateral financiers (e.g. AfDB, EIB, World Bank Group, European Union) to identify synergies, co-financing and joint programming opportunities.
•    Identify funding opportunities and prepare concept notes, funding proposals and donor and investor briefings to mobilise resources for the Programme's subsequent phases.
•    Ensure that private sector partnerships are developed and documented in compliance with UNDP rules, regulations and corporate systems.

Contribute to knowledge management, monitoring and reporting.
•    Monitor private sector engagement and resource mobilization results against Programme indicators and provide inputs to progress reports and to the Programme's monitoring, evaluation and learning framework.
•    Prepare briefing notes, talking points and presentations for UNDP senior management, and contribute to the organisation of high-level and partner events.
•    Document lessons learned and good practices on private sector engagement and investment mobilization for digital and agricultural transformation, and share them through UNDP knowledge networks.
•    Contribute to strengthening the capacities of national counterparts on private sector engagement, PPPs and investment structuring.

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

 •    Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Public Policy, Engineering, Development Studies or a related field is required, or
•    A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the above fields 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     

•    Minimum of two (2) years (with a Master's degree) or four (4) years (with a Bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in private sector development, investment or commercial analysis, partnership development, PPPs and/or innovation ecosystem development.
 

 •    Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section    •    Experience in developing and managing partnerships with private sector actors (corporates, startups, investors and/or financial institutions), government institutions and development partners.
•    Experience in investment, market or commercial analysis, such as market and partner assessments, commercial due diligence or business model analysis.
•    Experience in structuring or supporting PPPs, blended finance, co-financing arrangements and/or resource mobilization.
•    Experience working with the United Nations system or another international organization.
•    Experience engaging with bilateral development partners, development finance institutions and international private sector companies.
•    Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably in francophone West Africa.
•    Experience in displaying  cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
 

 •    Fluency in English is required.
•    Fluency in French is required.
Professional Certificates    Not required. Certifications in finance, investment analysis or project finance (e.g. CFA) would be an asset.
 

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.

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. 

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.

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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