Innovative Financing Officer

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties:

Investigate and develop innovative finance mechanisms from idea stage to implementation, including (but not limited to):

• Examining feasibility of ideas through analysis and research
• Engaging with DFAM, LAS, DRRM, DRS, and other technical and field-based colleagues to co-design each innovative finance mechanism
• Evaluating and/or crystallizing the business case involved in potential mechanisms
• Conducting partnership conversations with donors and private sector
• Writing business plans
• Conducting financial modelling
• Serving as project manager for deal development and execution
• Develop recommendations on whether potential deals are worth pursuing to Senior Innovative Financing Officer other senior managers/leaders of UNHCR
• Help develop pipeline of potential innovative finance deals through market research and relationship development with social impact investors, private sector, donors, academics, etc.
• Help with operationalization of UNHCR innovative finance strategy, e.g., set-up of internal governance structures, as directed by Senior Innovative Financing Officer
• Help with regular ongoing engagement with all key external partners in the UN and NGO community, multilateral development banks (MDBs), and within the government donor community
• Engage and coordinate DFAM, LAS, DRRM, DRS, and other technical and field based UNHCR staff on the evaluation, design, development, and implementation of innovative finance mechanisms
• Engage existing and potential new external partners into collaboration on innovative financing
• Advise Senior Innovative Financing Officer (Head of Unit) and UNHCR management and make recommendations on innovative financing mechanisms.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Fields of Education:

• Business Administration; Economics; Finance
• Development Economics; Accounting or other relevant field.

Relevant Job Experience:

Essential:

• Minimum 6 years of previous job experience with a Bachelor’s degree in business case / investment deal development (e.g., from investment firm, PE firm, management consulting, investment banking) and demonstrated experience in development and/or humanitarian topics. Ability to independently develop business cases and financial models with minimal oversight. Demonstrated experience in project coordination and management, in particular, in managing complex, multi-stakeholder, and fast-moving projects which are cross-disciplinary and require a certain degree of expert knowledge. Proven ability in understanding how to reconcile the needs of the organization with those of a private sector partner, including working with technical units in humanitarian/development organizations and working with private sector. Proven experience in building and maintaining partnerships and securing gains from negotiations with different partners. Knowledge of public-private partnerships in a particular region (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and/or MENA) or country. Excellent business analysis / business case development ability, including demonstrated experience doing business case development in development, humanitarian, or social enterprise settings. Excellent financial modelling skills, including being able to independently construct an income and cash flow model and run financial sensitivities; accounting & finance background a plus. Knowledge of major trends in the humanitarian/development and private sector on the topics of innovative finance, sustainable financing mechanisms, and mixed private sector & donor-driven programming, as well as familiarity with key stakeholders on these topics.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of another UN language other than English. Experience in the private sector, especially management consulting, capital markets, investment banking, and/or private equity. Experience in fragile/developing country contexts or in field locations. Accounting and/or investment transactions legal background.

Language Requirements:

• For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
• For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
• For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Source: https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Geneva-Switzerland/Innovative-Financing-Officer_JR2441108-2