Digital Financial Services (DFS) Policy Specialist – East and Southern Africa (ESA) (Part-Time 80%), IPSA11, Home-based, UNCDF, [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.

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 UNCDF Policy Accelerator Phase II aims to enhance digital financial inclusion across multiple countries in the region, including Cameroun, Gabon, Ethiopia, Rwanta, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, among others. As a strategic initiative, this project focuses on improving underlying digital financial services policies, fostering partnerships with regulators and stakeholders, and building capacities for effective governance and implementation in the financial space. The Digital Financial Services (DFS) Policy Specialist will play a pivotal role in ongoing engagement with financial authorities and regulators, aligning project goals with the national digital agenda of partner countries. 

The DFS Policy Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Global Policy Lead, Public Policy and Investment Climate, ensuring alignment with UNCDF’s strategic goals. The role does not have direct reports but requires close collaboration with various stakeholders across different levels of government and the financial sector. 

The DFS Policy Specialist will provide continued advisory support for regulatory frameworks, champion leadership in DFS policy reform, and advocate for Open Finance, consumer protection, and women’s digital financial inclusion. The role also emphasizes long-term engagement, capacity development, and strategic partnerships to enable the advancement of inclusive financial models.

Under the overall guidance of [supervisor title] and in close collaboration with the Policy Accelerator country and regional teams, the Digital Finance Specialist will be responsible for the following key responsibilities:

A.    Conduct in-depth reviews of Digital Finance Services (DFS) legal and regulatory frameworks.
●    Conduct comprehensive reviews of DFS legal and regulatory frameworks in the Policy Accelerator focus countries, with particular attention to financial inclusion, non-bank financial service providers, competition, gender considerations, and financial consumer protection.
●    Identify regulatory gaps and propose amendments, drawing on relevant international good practices and country examples, within the scope of workplans agreed between the project and the respective financial authorities.
●    Where mutually agreed with UNCDF and the relevant authority, provide targeted DFS legal and regulatory advisory support in lieu of a full framework review.

B.    Provide country-level and regional DFS regulatory advisory support.
●    Provide strategic and technical advice to UNCDF country and regional teams, including support to the development and review of aide-mémoires, action plans, implementation roadmaps, strategies, policies, regulations, and other regulatory deliverables.
●    Identify relevant partners and learning objectives for peer exchanges and capacity-building activities, and participate in technical discussions with regulators and other stakeholders across the five focus countries.
●    Jointly agree with the project team on the formats and structures of country reports, proposed regulatory amendments, and strategic deliverables, taking into account the specific needs and expectations of the respective financial authorities and government counterparts.

C.    Support the development of UNCDF's Open Banking/Open Finance approach (ESA focus).
●    In coordination with country and regional project teams, support the design and implementation of Open Banking/Open Finance advisory interventions in up to three countries within the Policy Accelerator portfolio.
●    Integrate Open Banking/Open Finance considerations into competition and consumer protection activities.
●    Respond to requests from financial authorities to support the development of policy, regulatory, and implementation approaches that promote inclusion, innovation, and investment.

D.    Contribute to knowledge exchange through participation in the AFI Competition Exchange Working Group.
●    Participate, together with project personnel, in meetings and activities of the AFI Competition Exchange Working Group.
●    Review relevant outputs and provide insights applicable to the ESA context and UNCDF's strategic objectives.
●    Translate Working Group findings into actionable recommendations and advisory support for UNCDF country teams and counterparts.

E.    Ensure coordination and provide other related technical assistance.
●    Maintain close collaboration with country, regional, and global Policy Accelerator personnel, as well as other relevant stakeholders.
●    Undertake any other related activities, technical assistance, analytical work, capacity-building support, advisory services, or deliverables reasonably requested by UNCDF and aligned with the objectives of the Policy Accelerator programme and the Specialist's area of expertise.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient delivery of the Policy Accelerator programme.

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, 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:

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or related field is required, or 
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of Master´s degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years (with Master´s degree) or nine (9) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in digital financial services is required.

Required skills:

• Extensive experience in policy advisory roles within the digital finance sector, including proven engagement with regulatory authorities and financial stakeholders.

Desired skills:

• Experience in digital financial inclusion frameworks.
• Experience working in developing countries, particularly in the ESA region.
• Experience with Open Finance and consumer protection policies.
• Experience leading strategic initiatives and mentoring junior staff. 
• Experience with UNCDF/UNDP rules and procedures.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required.

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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