Innovative Finance Specialist, IPSA 11 - UNCDF GFCR - Home-Based

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The UN Capital Development Fund assists developing countries in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans and guarantees, first and foremost for the least developed among the developing countries.  As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, UNCDF utilizes its unique capability to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact where the needs are greatest—a 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.

UNCDF builds partnerships with other UN organisations, as well as private and public sector actors, to achieve greater impact in development; specifically, by unlocking additional resources and strengthening financing mechanisms and systems contributing to transformation pathways, focusing on such development themes as green economy, digitalization, urbanisation, inclusive economies, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.  

UNCDF is seeking Innovative Finance Specialist to enhance the capacity of its innovative design function in order to scale-up resource mobilisation, pipeline building, and portfolio synergies at the Trust Fund level. To support its roles in the hosting and development of trust funds (including support to UNITLIFE, NIF and CAFI), UNCDF is seeking the Innovative Finance Specialist to work closely with the Global Trust Funds team located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Scope of work

Strategic Initiatives to scale UNCDF's Contribution to SDGs through its Trust Funds Portfolio
•    Develop strategic vision to unlock private capital and scale UNCDF Trust Funds operations by exploring new partnerships, models and tools.
•    Provide Program management and analytical support for cross-cutting strategy Program and initiatives to supercharge and scale UNCDF’s Trust Funds contribution to SDGs through financial instruments, mechanisms, and advisory.
•    Identify opportunities and efficient models to support market development enabled by access to finance in high-risk environments for impactful investments, with a focus on UNCDF Trust Fund perimeter.
•    Lead the development of materials to drive Program execution (analyses, project plans, meeting materials, strategic narratives, theories of change/action, decision roadmaps, results frameworks, etc.).
•    Facilitate discussions with internal teams, external experts, and global development partners to design and architect development strategies, including complex multi-partite Trust Funds.
•    Develop and apply methodologies related to project finance, financial modeling, policy environment, and private-public partnership arrangements.
Innovative Financing for UNCDF Trust Funds portfolio
•    Identify innovative investment opportunities with sustainable development impacts and design projects to leverage private capital for sustainable development.
•    Lead resource mobilization efforts with donors on thematic focused proposals / for specific projects, in coordination with UNCDF Trust Funds team.
•    Design and structure flagship partnerships and Trust Funds leveraging innovative and blended finance mechanisms and UNCDF unique capabilities and instruments 
•    Work with Development partners and Development Finance Institutions to align investment pipelines and build synergies on a shared understanding of impact.
•    Source, negotiate, and secure private sector partners using innovative financing mechanisms and technologies.
•    Act as officer in charge of the UNITLIFE multi-partner Trust Fund, ensuring synergies with UNCDF capabilities.
Collaboration with LDC Governments on Innovative Financing offer of UNCDF Trust Funds Portfolio (CAFI, NIF, Unitlife)
•    Collaborate with LDC Governments, primarily in central Africa, in liaison with UNCDF regional / country offices, to deliver adapted and scalable blended finance solutions to pave way for commercial finance in the framework of UNCDF CAFI and Nature Investment Facility portfolio.
•    Design and build capacity in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and in articulation with innovative digital financing instruments/services to unlock private finance (financial markets, carbon markets…) and scale domestic resource mobilization.
•    Provide strategic and operational advice to government institutions on public finance policies and practices, including on Debt management and restructuring scenario.
•    Assist in project financing structures, financial analysis, and projection models to meet LDC Governments clients' needs with speed and agility.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the e