Investment Specialist – P4  

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
 

The Joint SDG Fund supports countries as they accelerate their progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It operates through joint programmes (JPs) that provide the mechanism for transformative solutions implemented by governments and national stakeholders and supported by the UN Country Team led by Resident Coordinators (RCs). Strategic direction for the Fund is provided by the Strategic Advisory Group chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General as the chair of UN Sustainable Development Group. The Fund is managed by the Operational Steering Committee, comprised of representatives of UN entities, and with the support from the Secretariat of the Fund. The UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) hosts the Fund and provides for the alignment with the broader UN Development System reforms. The Administrative Agent of the Fund, in charge of financial management, is the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF-O). Official documents (e.g. Terms of Reference and Operational Guidance) of the Fund and information on funding can be found on the Gateway portal.  

To advance the dual mandate of supercharging the UN Development System reform to be fit for purpose and, in turn, supporting the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Fund incentivizes coherent and coordinated join UN action, anchored in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks at country level under the leadership of Resident Coordinator (RC). Serving as the catalytic funding to piece together emerging policy priorities and financing strategies, the Fund aims to galvanize the UN Country Teams around integrated policies and identify the fiscal space to overcome the political and financial hurdles to scale and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.  
 

Duties and Responsibilities
 

Working under the supervision of the Head of Secretariat of the Joint SDG Fund, the Investment Specialist is responsible for supporting the Resident Coordinators and United Nations Country Teams to (1) creating the development investment opportunities and (2) building innovative financing skills within the Joint SDG Fund programme.
 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. 
 

1) Creating Development Investment Platform

• Develop and execute innovative investment portfolios and strategic engagement with philanthropic foundations, institutional investors and individual impact and other socially responsible investors.
• Preparing strategic inputs to position the UN family as a key intermediary for SDG investment.
• Provide advice and lead the development and implementation of the Fund’s transition windows and portfolios of joint programmes in terms of advancing the SDG financing agenda especially in areas of climate/energy financing and SDG localization. 
• Researching the latest approaches and influential partners and academic scholars in the SDG and impact investment space. 
• Scanning the business environment and on-going efforts of country and regional venture philanthropists, investors, bilateral donors, and other potential SDG investment partners. 
• Preparing periodic reports analysing investment trends, on-going initiatives, and their results, as well as their impact on UN programmes and positions;
   

2) Establishing and Strengthening Strategic Partnerships (Private and Public) 

• Identifying areas of potential engagement between governments, International Financial Institutions, regional/national banks, and other investment partners for SDG attainment in areas of SDG financing, localization and/or climate/green financing. 
• Establishing and maintaining networks of strategic investment partnerships as well as in areas of localization and/or climate/energy.
• Supporting the production and distribution of marketing materials to raise awareness about the UN’s SDG investment capacity and in particular in thematic areas of SDG localization and/or climate/energy.
• Advising on approaches for effective networking with individual and institutional investors;
   

3) Strengthening UNCT Capacity for Finance and Investment Programme Activities

• Strengthening the capacity of United Nations Country Team (UNCT)s to mainstream and promote SDG investment partnerships and position financing in the SDG key transitions.
• Providing advice in discovery, evaluation, and selection of pipeline opportunities at the sourcing and origination stages.
• Provide advice on how to perform due diligence of potential investment opportunities according to UN regulations and procedures.
• Preparing UNCTs for post-investment preparation of risk reports, arrears management/collection issues.
• Supporting the RCs/UNCTs to increase investment knowledge and maximize their capability to unblock policies which curtail SDG investment while securing technical financial assessments, and structuring SDG.
• Providing support to the Fund Secretariat governance and management functions especially in terms of SDG financing and in the area of technical/thematic leads.
   

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

Competencies

  Core: Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here  

• 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 

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness – Strategic Policy Engagement:

    Financing for development incl. integrated national financing framework (INFF)

2030 Agenda: Partnerships – SDG Finance:   

• Innovative Finance

2030 Agenda: Partnerships – SDG Finance:    

• Public Private Partnerships

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

Business Management – Portfolio Management:  

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment

Business Management – Risk Management:    

• Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risk

Business Management – Communication:

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal. 
  communication: to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
   

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, International Economics, 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.
   

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience working in development finance and/ or impact investing space is required. 
• Experience working with multilateral, bilateral, and philanthropic partners is required.
• Proven experience and knowledge of financial instruments (eg impact investment, grants, concessional loans, investment products, etc.) and how they are applied, in particular in the UN development system, is required.
• Experience and expertise in SDG localization (e.g. enhancing capacities of sub-national level in terms of financing and development action) and/or climate/energy financing and action is desired.
• Experience in driving niche investment product solutions within a multilateral institution and/or utilizing private equity and venture capital evaluation techniques is desired.
• Proven analytical capability and strengths in risk assessment and mitigation; data analysis and performance measurement are desired.
• Sound knowledge of and extensive experience in developing countries an advantage.
   

Language:

• Fluency in English required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
   

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  
 

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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