Innovation Manager (Innovative Financing)

UNICEF is seeking to complement its current efforts to accelerate results for children through the use of new financial structures (e.g., parametric insurance, blended finance, guarantees, impact investing) that can leverage additional resources for children (as well as make the use of existing resources more efficient and results-oriented). The PFP IF4C unit enables, drives, and accelerates innovative alternative financing and funding solutions for children, in partnership with the private sector and UNICEF National Committees to accelerate reaching the SDGs for children.  Under the direction of the PFP IF4C Chief the Innovative Financing Manager will take a strategic planning and technical role in the PFP’s IF4C unit, including vetting new IF4C initiatives, conducting risk and market analysis and driving the development of new IF4C solutions (e.g., Debt Relief, Capital Market Solutions, Bridge Financing, etc.) 

How can you make a difference?

Planning and Coordination

• Develop the PFP IF4C unit annual work plan under the overall guidance of the PFP IF4C Chief and in coordination with the PFP Innovative Finance Specialist.
• Establish and oversee processes and procedures for the Innovative Finance Committee (IFC) and ensure effective monitoring and reporting on the Global UNICEF IF4C Strategy and Vision under the overall guidance of the Principal Advisor IF4C and PFP IF4C Chief.
• Facilitate strategic coordination and alignment between the PFP IF4C unit and the Innovative Finance (IF) Hub Finland.
• Support PFP IF4C Knowledge Management and the deployment of UNICEF’s IF4C capacity-building platforms in coordination with the PFP Innovative Finance Specialist and IF Hub Finland.

Risk Assessment, Financial Analysis and Reporting

• Develop a comprehensive risk and financial framework for evaluating new private sector IF4C opportunities.
• Review IF4C proposals presented to the IFC and in coordination with the PFP IF4C Chief, deliver recommendations to the Principal Advisor IF4C.
• Perform due diligence on PFP IF4C opportunities, including risk assessment and the development of mitigation strategies.
• Provide in-depth financial analyses and reports to facilitate strategic decision-making and to meet reporting requirements.
• Continuously monitor and analyze market trends, regulatory changes, and economic indicators to guide and adapt PFP’s IF4C strategies.
• Ensure PFP IF4C activities comply with relevant standards and policies, working closely with Legal and DFAM.

Implement PFP IF4C Solutions

• Cultivate and maintain robust relationships with key stakeholders, including financial institutions, MDBs/DFIs, and regulatory bodies.
• Identify and assess new financial instruments and opportunities in the capital markets.
• Develop business cases, conduct financial modeling, and propose financial structures to the PFP IF4C Chief.
• Collaborate with financial institutions to design and implement innovative financing solutions aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders (e.g., DFAM, Legal, PPD, IF Hub Finland) to structure IF4C solutions tailored to the organization’s specific requirements.
• Project manage the development and execution of IF4C solutions.
• Support the IF Hub Finland in the development and rollout of the Child Lens Impact Investing Framework (CLIF) for publicly traded equity funds.

Strategic Advisory and Representation

• Provide strategic technical advice to the PFP IF4C Chief on innovative financing mechanisms and provide ad hoc support as needed.
• Develop briefing notes, talking points, strategic reports, and presentations for senior management and external stakeholders.
• Research and develop white papers/strategies on emerging IF4C opportunities (e.g., Debt Relief, CLIF, etc.) to inform decision-making.
• Represent the PFP IF4C Chief at key global events and platforms, enhancing the visibility and positioning of PFP IF4C externally and within UNICEF.

DELIVERABLES:

• PFP IF4C team’s priorities and work plan for 2025 developed.
• IFC process and procedures developed, and IF4C proposals proposed to the IFC vetted.
• White paper/strategy developed for debt relief.
• Child Lens Impact Investing Framework for publicly traded equity funds and associated PFP investment manager rollout plan developed.
• IF4C capacity building training conducted.
• At least one IF4C solution conceptualized and implemented.

To qualify as a Champion for every child you will have…

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: International development, finance, economics, public or business administration, or closely related fields.
• Alternatively, a first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with 2 years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in investment banking, private banking, management consulting, strategy development, risk and market analysis, and/or any other related field is required.
• Experience working in innovative finance or related fields, including a solid understanding of the innovative finance landscape is an asset.
• Strategic and analytical thinking, excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills required.
• Ability to independently develop business cases, risk/market analysis, and financial models with minimal oversight.
• Ability to work across multiple projects, with multiple stakeholders and moving deadlines, while ensuring compliance is an asset.
• UN/UNICEF experience is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/job/573352/innovation-manager-innovative-financing-p4-ta-364-days-post-129083-innovative-alternative-finance-children-pfp-geneva-switzerland