Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates).

Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts.

Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates.

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, 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.

Position Purpose:

The Engagement Specialist will provide dedicated support and engage with North America based public and private sector to foster partnerships around blended finance. The Specialist supports the External Relations Advisor and the Senior Management of UNCDF by undertaking analysis, outreach and engagement as well as strategic communications to foster a strong UNCDF-North America based public and private sector partnerships that result in resource mobilization of $200 million over 4 years and implementation in targeted UNCDF supported countries, especially in Least Developed Countries, Small Island Development States and fragile contexts.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Advance engagement with North American public and private sectors to mobilize resources and expand collaboration

• Develop and implement a strategy for UNCDF’s engagement with North America-based public and private sector.
• Assess and report on the political, economic, and social factors that could impact the success of the engagement strategy with relevant partners in North America.
• Lead UNCDF’s engagement in dialogues with current and new North American based partners, including bilateral DFIs, with central banks, national development banks, and ministries of finance in client countries.
• Establish and maintain a clear timeframe for outreach and partnership development, ensuring alignment with resource mobilization goals and success criteria.
• Develop and update pitches and proposals that match the interests of North American public and private sector with market development needs in developing countries.
• Gather intelligence on the programming priorities of key potential partners and regularly develop and refine customized outreach strategies for each region and partner type.
• Organize and facilitate networking and other face to face opportunities, such as roundtables and webinars focused on fostering dialogue between UNCDF and potential partners.
• Develop tailored content and materials for outreach efforts, including concept notes, pitch decks, and strategic presentations, working with other units.
• Draft speeches, briefing notes, reports for senior management on UNCDF’s value proposition, blended finance, and programming vis-à-vis partners in North America. 
• Plan and execute strategic events directed at presenting UNCDF to North American public and private partners.

2. Advise and support corporate outreach, partnership efforts and knowledge management

• Develop and implement strategies for UNCDF’s engagement with financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, impact investors, and foundations. 
• Advance UNCDF’s engagement with current and new partners, including bilateral DFIs, central banks, national development banks, and ministries of finance.
• Position UNCDF’s value proposition in relevant global summits and conferences including those relevant for MDB/DFI as well as various global conventions.
• Engage in resource mobilization and partnerships with other Member States as needed. 
• Draft speeches, memos and reports for UNCDF Management based on lessons and trends emerging from UNCDF’s nascent and growing investment portfolio.
• Coordinate with UNDP on input into relevant G20/G7/OECD Task Forces on Blended Finance.
• Contribute to the strategic representation of UNCDF in global summits and conferences, including those relevant for MDBs and DFIs as well as multilateral environmental conventions.
• Work with UNCDF’s communications team to prepare technically robust thought pieces that advance the UNCDF value proposition.
• Contribute on ad hoc basis to outreach, partnership and other engagement opportunities as they arise.
• Contribute on ad hoc basis to knowledge management opportunities as they arise.

3. Engage in the UNCDF investment process to better present to partners blended finance opportunities that leverage UNCDF’s unique investment mandate 

• Conduct financial sector and market analysis to identify and support UNCDF programming and advance thought leadership on issues of relevance to strengthen national development banks in LDCs, SIDS and Fragile economies.
• Engage with MDBs, DFIs and the vertical climate funds to advance partnership opportunities and develop specific project proposals, including supporting any accreditation process. 
• Contribute to the development of financial models for new blended finance initiatives to maximize the value of UNCDF’s de-risking instruments for specific partners.
• Work with the Front Office and Middle Office in certain instances in preparing project documents, and agreements, structuring transactions, and advancing them to partners.
• Accompany transactions through the investment process, including supporting due diligence process, commenting on projects, supporting the Pre-Investment Committee and Investment and Disbursement Impact Committee processes, and drafting investment memos.

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

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 and Strategy: Entrepreneurial Thinking    

• Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate

Business Development: Knowledge Generation    

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need

Business Development: Integration within the UN    

• Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations

Business Management: Partnerships Management    

• Ability to 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

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

Partnerships Management: Resource Mobilization     

• Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, finance, or related field is required, OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree or equivalent) or 9 years with (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in  finance, development finance, climate finance, biodiversity finance, digital finance and/or relevant related field is required

Required skills 

• Demonstrated experience working with a North American Government on international development, 
• Demonstrated experience working on development finance, climate finance, biodiversity finance, and digital finance, preferably in relation to the vertical funds, such as GEF, GCF and CIFs.
• Demonstrated experience working on multilateral development bank policy and investments.
• Understanding of UNCDF’s approach to development finance, preferably with demonstrated experience developing partnerships and structuring investment projects for UNCDF. 
• Background in developing financial models and conducting financial analysis to support blended finance solutions.
• Proven Ability to draft policy briefs, advocacy materials, and speeches on development finance topics for senior leaders.
• Excellent analytical, communication, writing and presentation skills/experience.

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

• Experience with the U.S. budget process, such as drafting budget requests and engaging with the U.S. Treasury Department, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and U.S. Congress.
• Experience working to advance international financial policy work of multilateral bodies, such as the G20 and OECD.
• Proven ability to engage with senior stakeholders, build networks and influence policy discussions.
• Experience working with the United Nations System, both at HQ and country level.

Required Language(s):

• Excellent command of written and spoken English is required. 
• Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

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.

Scam alert

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