Regional Investment Specialist (Arab States), 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, 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: 
 
•    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. 

UNCDF's regional hubs are based in Dakar, Nairobi, and Bangkok, with sub-regional presence in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. The Arab States regional team supports countries in raising finance for climate action, infrastructure, MSME development, and women's economic empowerment. 

UNCDF is therefore seeking an expert in the financial sector to further enhance its engagement and establishment of financing mechanisms within the targeted regions. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of finance and business enabling environments, with a proven track record of navigating complex financial landscapes. In addition to providing technical assistance for UNCDF project development, the expert will play a pivotal role in fostering strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the financial sector. This includes collaborating with government entities, financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to design and implement innovative financing solutions that address the unique needs of underserved populations. Moreover, the candidate will be tasked with identifying and leveraging emerging trends and technologies in the financial sector to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development. Overall, the successful candidate will be instrumental in advancing UNCDF's mission to promote financial inclusion and economic empowerment in the Arab States Region, as needed. 

The Regional Investment Specialist will support the Arab States regional manager in mobilizing investment capital, managing development projects, and ensuring effective project implementation in alignment with UNCDF’s strategic objectives. The position will report to the Regional Investment Focal Point for Arab States and collaborate with colleagues from the front and middle office in addition to other UNCDF divisions. 

The Specialist reports directly to UNCDF’s Regional Team Lead for ESA and Arab States.

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:

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 Development

• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management

• Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making 

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. 
• Due diligence management: Ability to conduct a comprehensive appraisal of an organization or opportunity to be undertaken by a prospective investor or partner, especially to establish its assets and liabilities, as well as evaluate the potential opportunity and its related risks; knowledge of respective methodology and tools.

Partnerships management

• Private Sector engagement: Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and manage relationships with the private sector.

Education:

•    Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Business Administration, Finance, International Development, or related development finance field 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 seven (7) years (with master´s degree) or nine (9) years (with bachelor´s degree) of experience in developing and implementing projects/programs in development finance and innovative finance.
•    At least 5 years of professional experience in digital payments, financial inclusion, investments, or related fields. 
•    Experience in a development finance institution, International Financial Institution (IFI), multilateral bank, or UN investment function 
•    Demonstrated experience in designing risk-sharing instruments, or blended finance structures. 
•    Experience in developing finance principles, including concessional finance, additionality, crowding-in private capital, and financial sustainability.
•    Experience in design, structure, and implementation of investment and financing mechanisms involving grants, loans, guarantees, and equity.
•    Experience engaging with financial institutions, DFIs, governments, and private sector stakeholders to mobilize capital development.
•    Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, or crisis contexts. 
•    Experience with digital finance, financial inclusion, or innovative financial technologies. 
•    Experience working across public and private sector stakeholders, including ministries, central banks, commercial banks, MFIs, and fintech firms. 

Required Language(s):

Fluency in English and Arabic 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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