Project Technical Analyst – MSME Finance (NOB) [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 EU Sustainable Tourism Uganda action, implemented under the Unlocking Last Mile Capital for Inclusive Growth in Uganda (FinWise) framework initiative seeks to unlock the full potential of Uganda’s tourism sector as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable economic growth by leveraging the complementary expertise of UNCDF and UNDP. It will strengthen the enabling policy and market environment, expand access to appropriate finance, and enhance the capacity of tourism enterprises and local communities to invest in sustainable tourism products, services, and technologies.

The Project Technical Analyst position will be dedicated to lead MSME finance implementation under this initiative, ensuring focused oversight of this expanded portfolio.
 

The Project Technical Analyst  – Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Finance will support the strengthening of programme management, compliance, monitoring and evaluation, and technical service delivery systems to facilitate and promote access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The role will contribute to the rollout of the MSME financing strategy, delivery of targeted technical assistance interventions, and effective stakeholder coordination, including management of the EU–Tourism funding partnership.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
 

• Lead the implementation of a USD 9 million European Union–funded partnership aimed at expanding access to finance for MSMEs in the sustainable tourism value chain.
• Coordinate day-to-day project activities to ensure timely delivery of outputs in line with approved workplans, budgets, and donor requirements.
• Monitor progress against targets and milestones, compiling quality inputs for periodic technical and financial reports to the donor.
• Contribute to the partner selection process, including drafting RFAs, supporting application screening and evaluation, participating in due diligence, and assisting with contract finalization and onboarding in line with UNCDF guidelines.
• Provide technical support to partner companies to strengthen implementation performance, track compliance with contractual obligations, and address emerging bottlenecks.
• Maintain and regularly update programme and budget tracking tools, working closely with the Project Officer to ensure alignment between financial delivery and programmatic progress.
• Facilitate coordination with internal teams, consultants, and external stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation and timely resolution of operational issues.
   

• Ensure the timely delivery of high-quality results under the Sustainable Tourism Financing project, in line with approved workplans and performance targets.
• Maintain full compliance with UNCDF and UNDP policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks across all project activities and transactions.
• Maintain and regularly update programme and budget tracking tools in collaboration with the Project Officer to ensure financial accuracy, transparency, and alignment with implementation progress.
• Contribute to the preparation of accurate, high-quality technical and donor reports, ensuring consistency between narrative progress, financial delivery, and results achieved.
• Review project documents, agreements, and contracts under the FinWise portfolio to ensure alignment with UNDP/UNCDF policies, supplementary guidelines, and standard operating procedures.
• Support the development and operationalization of the project’s Results Measurement Framework in Uganda, ensuring clear indicators, baselines, and reporting mechanisms are in place.
• Work closely with the Results Measurement team to strengthen portfolio monitoring, performance tracking, and impact reporting, contributing to a high-performing and accountable investment portfolio.
• Assist in the planning, coordination, and follow-up of project audits, evaluations, and monitoring missions, ensuring timely documentation, compliance, and implementation of recommendations.
   

• Manage and regularly update the project Results Framework (logframe), ensuring accurate tracking of outputs, outcomes, and key performance indicators.
• Support the implementation and continuous refinement of the project’s Results Measurement Framework in Uganda, ensuring clear data collection, verification, and reporting processes.
• Work closely with the Results Measurement team to strengthen portfolio monitoring, performance analysis, and impact measurement, contributing to a high-performing investment portfolio.
• Document lessons learned, success stories, and operational insights, and support their dissemination through briefs, reports, and knowledge products.
• Contribute to UNCDF knowledge products and thought leadership initiatives on MSME financing within the sustainable tourism sector.
• Support the organization of learning events, workshops, and experience-sharing platforms for government counterparts, private sector actors, national associations, and other key stakeholders.
• Facilitate internal knowledge sharing to promote adaptive management and continuous improvement across the project portfolio.
   

•  Manage the partnership with UNDP technical team  - as a joint implementing partner.
• Coordinate engagement with consortium partners (Enabel, UNESCO) to ensure harmonized delivery of the EU programme.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government counterparts and industry stakeholders in the Sustainable Tourism Value chain
• Keeps abreast with key changes in policy/regulatory environment, strategic focus of development partners and market developments.
• Identify areas of cooperation and coordination with other UNCDF initiatives, UN agencies, and other development partners and market facilitators that will help create an enabling environment for Micro, Small and Medium size businesses.
• Develop partnerships with new funders to ensure continuity of UNCDF’s work in green economy and climate change; draft proposals; and manage contracts especially reporting obligations.
• Manage the strategic partnership with the UNDP technical team, serving as a joint implementing partner to ensure effective coordination, alignment, and delivery of programme results.
• Coordinate engagement with consortium – implementing - partners, to ensure harmonized implementation, coherence of interventions, and achievement of the EU programme objectives.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with government counterparts, private sector actors, and industry associations across the Sustainable Tourism value chain.
• Monitor and analyze key developments in the policy and regulatory environment, development partner strategies, and market trends to inform programme positioning and strategic decision-making.
• Identify and advance areas of cooperation and coordination with other UNCDF initiatives, UN agencies, development partners, and market facilitators to strengthen the enabling environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• Develop and cultivate partnerships with new and existing funders to ensure sustainability and scale of UNCDF’s green economy and climate change portfolio – including drafting of idea notes and concept notes.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: manage and supervise Digital Finance Analyst (NPSA 9)

Core Competencies - UNDP Core Competencies can be found here

• Achieve Results - LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively - LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously - LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination - LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner - LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making  

People Management 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Business Direction and Strategy - Systems 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 -  Portfolio Management:    

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key
  principles of project, programme, and portfolio
  management 

Business Management - Partnership Management:

• Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies 

Finance - Finance and Process Innovation:   

• Financial and business process engineering expertise required to innovate, design, change and implement new financial business models, financial instruments, financing opportunities, business processes, policies and procedures, and technological solution

Finance  -  Development Finance Expertise:    

• Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance, etc.

Digital and Innovation  - Digital inclusion:     

• Knowledge of how digital inclusion works, opportunities and challenges for governments and society 

Partnership management  -  Relationship management:   

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Education:

• An advanced university degree (a master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Economics, Finance, Accounting, Development Studies, Management, or a related discipline 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.
   

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years (with masters’ degree), or four (4) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in Development Finance; 
• At least 2 years of which should be in Uganda’s renewable energy sector in areas of market development and project/programme management in progressively senior & responsible managerial positions is required.
• Experience in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) financing is required. 
• Experience in managing country operations, projects and/or programmes and supervising teams is required.
• Experience working with multinational and bilateral organizations and government bodies is required.
• Experience in providing business development and investment readiness services to Micro, Small and Medium enterprises is desired.
• Experience working in Digital Financial Services is desired. 
• Experience in providing technical assistance to private sector actors that serve MSMEs to access finance is desired. 
• Experience drafting RFAs, supporting application screening and evaluation, participating in due diligence is desired. 
• Experience working for the United Nations is desired. 
• Experience developing idea notes and concept notes for new project development and fundraising is desired.

Language requirements

• 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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