Investment Specialist, IPSA-10, Amman, Jordan, UNCDF [open To Internal And External Applicants]

Organizational Context

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries by supplementing capital assistance through grants, loans, and guarantees to catalyze SDG-impactful investments. UNCDF operates as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution, focusing on SME Finance, Sub-National Finance, and Digital Finance. This Investment Specialist role supports UNCDF in designing and managing recovery-focused financing instruments within the Arab States region.

Job Purpose

The Investment Specialist will support UNCDF in the design, deployment, and management of recovery-focused financing instruments, particularly within Palestine, and contribute to regional investment coordination across the Arab States. This role is crucial for mobilizing and catalyzing capital flows for SDG impactful investments, addressing development challenges, and contributing to sustainable economic growth. The specialist will work with financial institutions to structure innovative financing solutions, assess portfolios, and ensure instruments align with UNCDF's development finance principles, thereby enhancing financial sector resilience and recovery in fragile contexts.

Responsibilities

The Investment Specialist is responsible for designing and operationalizing recovery and resilience financing instruments, including credit guarantees and risk-sharing facilities, and conducting financial and portfolio assessments of partner institutions. They will negotiate participation agreements and ensure instruments meet concessionality and sustainability criteria. The role involves monitoring instrument performance, managing risks, and coordinating with oversight divisions for compliance. Additionally, the specialist will analyze financial sector conditions, provide technical inputs on recovery and resilience programming, and engage with local financial institutions, regulators, DFIs, and UN partners to support implementation and co-financing. They will also provide technical advisory support to financial institutions and contribute to knowledge sharing on recovery finance.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years (with Master's) or 7 years (with Bachelor's) of progressive experience in development finance, investment, banking, or financial-sector advisory is required. Demonstrated experience with credit guarantees, risk-sharing instruments, SME finance, or blended finance is essential. Experience in fragile or conflict-affected contexts is strongly desirable.

Skills

Strategic Thinking, Systems Thinking, Knowledge Facilitation, Project Management, Communication, Relationship Management, Ability to work in fast-paced and matrix-based environments, Experience in issuing and managing guarantees, Convening and partnership building, Managing multi-cultural teams.

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