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.
In Ghana, UNCDF is managing a portfolio of projects focused on youth empowerment, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) finance and climate finance for a total portfolio of 10M USD. Under this framework UNCDF team is supporting a wide range of service providers from public and private sector to design and pilot new business models to increase access and usage of digital services for the most vulnerable segments (youth, women, MSMEs in particular).
UNCDF will be specifically in charge of supporting the ecosystem and Small and Growing Companies (SGCs) and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in accessing finance through different interventions, such as (but not limited to):
- Support service providers that can better equip these Small and Growing Companies (SGCs) and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in using digital solutions to better access financial services
- Support key policy makers to provide enabling environment for the financial services and investments that target the Small and Growing Companies (SGCs) and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
By helping companies grow their businesses, achieve commercial sustainability, strengthen their balance sheets, and build credit history, UNCDF aims to unlock further private capital to companies that serve last mile communities, to scale up what works and to foster local economic development.
UNCDF is seeking a candidate to lead the technical implementation of investment readiness and pipeline development activities, supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), financial institutions, and ecosystem partners to become investment-ready and access appropriate financing solutions.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Investment Specialist will work under the direct supervision of UNCDF Programme Management Specialist in Ghana and guided by the UNCDF Regional Investment Specialist.Under the supervision of the UNCDF Programme Management Specialist based in Accra and in close collaboration with other colleagues in-country as well as the Regional Office (Dakar, Senegal), the Investment Specialist will contribute to capital deployment and delivery of investment transactions, with particular focus on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) finance.
The Investment Specialist will be responsible for leading and executing the following tasks and deliverables:
1. Pipeline Development & Partner Identification
- Develop and adapt pipeline-sourcing approaches for the Ghanaian market and maintain a documented pipeline of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), financial institutions and ecosystem partners, with updates provided at least monthly against agreed work-plan targets.
- Identify and build a pipeline of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), financial institutions, and ecosystem partners with potential for financing.
- Conduct initial screening and segmentation of partners based on investment readiness levels and financing needs.
- Support the design and implementation of calls for applications (RFAs) and pipeline sourcing strategies.
- Conduct detailed due diligence on the identified investees, covering financial, operational, legal, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions.
2. Investment Readiness & Technical Assistance
- Assess gaps in financial management, governance, business models, and digital capabilities affecting investment readiness.
- Design and coordinate tailored technical assistance (TA) interventions to improve bankability of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)and partner institutions.
- Provide hands-on advisory support on financial structuring, record-keeping, business planning, and creditworthiness.
- Work with service providers (e.g. incubators, digital solution providers) to deliver targeted capacity building.
- Contribute to the preparation of investment cases and basic financial models to facilitate financing decisions.
- Liaise with UNCDF investment team and external financiers to align pipeline with available instruments.
3. Ensure Stakeholder Engagement
- Engage financial institutions, fintechs, crowdfunding platforms, and DFIs to connect investment-ready entities with financing opportunities.
- Support collaboration with regulators and government stakeholders to address systemic barriers affecting access to finance.
4. Ecosystem Coordination
- Facilitate partnerships between micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), financial service providers, and ecosystem actors.
- Design and support the organization of investment-focused events, such as investor roundtables, pitch sessions, and matchmaking forums, to connect MSMEs and financial institutions. Add value to investment-related events by facilitating discussions, showcasing pipeline opportunities, and strengthening linkages between investees and financiers.
5. Monitoring, Learning & Reporting
- Track progress of supported partners along the investment readiness pathway.
- Document lessons learned and contributed to knowledge products on SME financing and investment readiness.
- Work with the monitoring and evaluation personnels to track the progress of partners against the KPIs and corporate indicators
6. Facilitate knowledge sharing
- Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.
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.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)
Thematic AreaNameDefinition
| Business Direction and 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. |
| 2030 Agenda: Partnerships | SDG Integration | SDG Monitoring and Reporting |
| 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. |
| Partnership Management | Relationship Management | Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships |
| Business Management | Monitoring & 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 |
| Business Development | Knowledge Facilitation | Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange. |
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Accounting or Business Administration is required
Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in one of the fields listed above, combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
- A minimum of five (5) years (with a master's degree), or seven (7) years (with a bachelor's degree), of relevant experience in banking or financial services, development finance, private-sector impact investing, investment readiness or Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) finance is required
Required Skills:
- Experience in MSME finance, investment readiness, development finance, or private-sector development, including exposure to financial services or investment processes
- Experience working with financial service providers to develop or refine MSME-focused financial products, preferably in emerging markets, least developed countries, or Ghana
- Experience in pipeline development, partner or investee sourcing and assessment, financial analysis, business diagnostics, and coordinating technical assistance to address governance, financial management, or operational gaps
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
- Exposure to blended finance, investment facilitation, or matchmaking between MSMEs and financing institutions is an asset
- Exposure to Ghanaian financial ecosystem
- Familiarity with Ghana’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) policy, regulatory, and institutional environment would be an advantage
- Experience with UN entity or UN-funded programmes is an asset
Required Language(s) :
- Fluency in 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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