Tiered Approach
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.
Background
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 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Sustainable Energy 2 programme, a 5 year programme funded by the Central African Forestry Initiative (CAFI) and Fonds National de REDD+ (FONAREDD DRC), aims to scale up clean energy solutions to reduce deforestation and emissions, through building a diversified investment portfolio across clean fuels, renewable electrification, and sustainable biomass.
The primary objective of the Energy Investment Programme Manager is to oversee and coordinate the effective implementation of the Sustainable Energy 2 Programme for the DRC, including the mobilization of all project inputs and the supervision of project staff, consultants, and subcontractors. The Energy Investment Programme Manager will be appointed by UNCDF and will report to the Regional Investment Specialist for West and Central Africa, with support from the Global Energy Programme Manager.
UNCDF adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNCDF personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervision and performance management of Investment Portfolio Impact Specialist, Deforestation Monitoring Specialist, Investment Officers, Programme Assistant, Admin and Finance Assistant, and Safeguards Specialist.
1.) Effectively manage the programme and supervise the programme team focusing on quality assurance and risk management of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation:
• Lead the design, planning, and implementation of Sustainable Energy 2 investment activities in line with programme objectives.
• Oversee day-to-day programme operations, ensuring compliance with UNCDF and UNDP regulations and procedures.
• Manage and monitor multi-year, annual, and quarterly work plans, track progress, and implement corrective actions in coordination with the project steering committee.
• Monitor implementation and results and prepare regular technical and financial reports in line with CAFI and FONAREDD requirements.
• Manage financial resources, including budgeting, fund requests, controls, and accounting, to ensure accurate and reliable financial reporting.
• Prepare Project Board meetings.
2.) Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement:
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government, private sector, and civil society.
• Collaborate with national stakeholders to support the effective implementation of energy investment in line with energy policies.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and engagements to enhance project understanding and support.
• Ensure the effective set up and roll out of the wood energy sector monitoring system.
• Represent the programme in energy and investment donor coordination groups.
3.) Guide Investment Process Oversight and Co-financing Mobilization efforts to achieve programme outcomes:
• Liaise with the UNCDF investment unit to arrange PIC and IDIC for investments.
• Supervise the investment officers in the execution of investment transactions to energy companies and financial intermediaries and institutions.
• Provide strategic direction on the methodology of market assessments, expressions of interests and other screening procedures (including from partners) based on technical baseline studies and market developments.
• Review the initial investment pipeline and market assessment reports to ensure strategic alignment with the investment portfolio and programmatic indicators.
• Develop and implement strategies to secure co-financing from other investors and financiers for energy investment projects.
• Initiate dialogues with potential investors and donors focusing on clean energy initiatives under the programmatic themes.
• Support the financial sustainability of energy projects through innovative funding mechanisms, where possible.
• Develop investment sustainability plans for energy projects and for the wood sector monitoring platform (SISBE).
4.) Team Coordination and ensure provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management:
• Supervise programme teams and consultants to ensure effective project delivery.
• Foster a collaborative team environment that encourages innovation and efficiency.
• Conduct performance assessments and provide support for professional development.
• Execute activities by managing personnel, goods and services, training, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications, and supervising the work of all contractors.
• Liaise with DRC-based colleagues from other UNCDF and CAFI funded programmes such as Pro-Congo, to ensure efficiency in implementation.
• Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme goals.
• Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
• Organize and deliver training for projects personnel on programme related matters.
5.) Ensure Results Management:
• Coordinate project implementation through regular coordination meetings, internal communications, and progress reporting, including briefings to donors and key partners.
• Ensure full compliance with CAFI guidelines, frameworks, and requirements, including the use of Quantum/Quantum+ tools and alignment with UNCDF internal control mechanisms.
• Monitor project performance, results frameworks, baseline indicators, Environmental and Social Safeguards, risks, and implementation plans (including gender and stakeholder engagement), and propose corrective actions as needed.
• Coordinate with the Agence Congolaise de l’Environnement for the effective execution of audits based on the environmental and social management plan.
• Oversee efficient and cost-effective use of programme resources and budgets, and support audits, spot checks, and CAFI/FONAREDD compliance processes.
• Lead and support reviews, evaluations, and learning activities (mid-term and final), including field missions for results verification, resource mobilization support, and documentation of lessons learned and best practices.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
Competencies
Core:
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
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
| Business Management | Results-based management | Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools. |
| Business Management | Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. |
| Business Management | Risk Management | Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks. |
| Business Management | Monitoring and Evaluation | Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. |
| 2030 Agenda: Partnerships | Sustainable Energy Hub | Energy Governance |
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Advanced University degree (master's degree or equivalent) in a field related to Natural Resource Management, International Cooperation, Renewable Energy, Environmental Sciences or Economics 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.
• Certificates in Climate or Energy Finance are an asset.
Experience:
• Minimum 7 years (with master´s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor´s degree) of proven experience in managing development programmes, with a focus on investments (loans, challenge funds), in the energy sector specifically clean cooking (LPG, improved cookstoves) and renewable energy (solar or micro hydro) in the DRC.
• Experience designing, launching and supervising blended finance investment programmes (challenge funds or debt sourcing processes) for energy including LPG, solar, and for other sectors is required.
• Experience managing technical and administrative teams, working with a wide range of stakeholders including donors such as CAFI (and its donors such as NORAD, FCDO, SIDA) and FONAREDD in different sectors and at all levels and developing sustainable partnerships with partner organizations is required.
• Experience coordinating the implementation of large multi-stakeholder projects, including financial and technical aspects is required.
• At least 5 years of experience working in UN agencies such as UNCDF, with ministries such as the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment, national or provincial institutions involved in electrification, investment, development cooperation and/or environmental management including energy projects is desired.
• Experience working with UN agencies on investment processes and energy projects is desired.
• Experience managing budgets, training and working with staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project is desired.
• Experience coordinating and supervizing multiple project implementation units in the implementation of technical activities in partnership with various subnational stakeholder groups, including the community and government is desired.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
Language:
• Fluency in French and English is required.
Equal opportunity
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.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
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.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
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