Investment Specialist, IPSA-11, Suva, Fiji (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.

Note: This position is 6 months, full-time with the possibility of extension based on business or project needs and the availability of funds.

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.

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:

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Investment Team Leads and/or their designate, and in close coordination with UNCDF investment and programme teams, the Investment Specialist will be responsible for the following:

• Identify and develop investment opportunities in the Pacific region, including in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), with a focus on sectors such as climate finance, MSME finance, digital finance, and resilient infrastructure.
• Build and maintain a diversified pipeline of investments aligned with UNCDF’s strategic priorities, geographic focus.
• Engage with ecosystem stakeholders, including private sector partners, DFIs, donors, and internal UNCDF teams to originate bankable and impact‑driven opportunities.

• Lead the structuring and execution of investments using UNCDF’s blended finance instruments (e.g., concessional loans, guarantees, investment grants, and blended finance vehicles).
• Conduct end‑to‑end due diligence, including financial analysis, credit risk assessment, market feasibility, and development impact considerations. 
• Apply context-specific structuring approaches suitable for Pacific markets, including small-ticket transactions, local currency solutions, and risk-sharing mechanisms adapted to thin financial markets and limited data environments.

• Manage an active portfolio of investments, monitoring financial performance, compliance, and achievement of development results.
• Identify risks and underperformance early and recommend appropriate remedial actions, including restructuring or enhanced support.
• Contribute to internal portfolio reviews, reporting, and performance discussions.

• Contribute to strengthening investment ecosystems in Pacific countries by supporting partner institutions, local financial intermediaries, and policymakers to address systemic constraints to capital mobilization.
• Facilitate access to follow-on financing and support progression toward commercial or institutional funding.
• Identify systemic market constraints and contribute to initiatives that improve access to capital in target segments.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Investment Team Lead and in close coordination with the UNCDF Global Lead on Strategic Programming and Chief Investment Officer.
 

Core Competencies - UNDP Core Competencies can be found here.

Education:

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Management, International Development/Finance, or a closely related discipline is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
   

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in investment, development finance, blended finance, or related fields, with demonstrated experience in emerging or frontier markets, including at least 3-5 years of experience working in the Pacific region or comparable Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
   

Required skills

• Proven experience in investment origination, structuring, due diligence, and execution, including blended finance instruments (e.g., concessional lending, guarantees, subordinated debt, first‑loss structures, and reimbursable grants).
• Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, credit assessment, rating methodology, and portfolio management, including the ability to assess risk, structure transactions, and manage complex early-stage investment portfolios. 
• Proven ability to structure and execute transactions in small, remote, or capacity-constrained markets, including familiarity with SIDS-specific development challenges (e.g., climate vulnerability, FX constraints, limited pipeline).
   

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Experience with direct, in-country experience in Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including engagement with local financial institutions, governments, and regional organizations is desired.
• Existing professional networks in the Pacific region (financial institutions, DFIs, regulators, and regional bodies) would be an asset.
• Proven familiarity with UNCDF, UNDP, or comparable international development finance institutions would be an asset.
• Experience and strong knowledge and evidence of application of capital structuring, co-financing arrangements, and risk mitigation mechanisms, including local currency financing considerations would be an asset.
• Experience and strong and proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, including government counterparts, DFIs, donors, and private sector leadership would be an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to impact-first investing, with the ability to balance development impact, financial additionality, and concessional return expectations would be an asset.
   

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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