Project Specialist, NPSA 10, Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea (uncdf) - [open To Internal And External Applicants]

Organizational Context

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is an autonomous UN organization that assists developing countries, particularly LDCs, by supplementing capital assistance with grants, loans, and guarantees to foster 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 role is within the Highlands Joint Programme Phase 2 (HJP2) in Papua New Guinea, a multi-agency effort to address conflict and underdevelopment, specifically within the Livelihood Enhancement and Economic Diversification (LEED) programme.

Job Purpose

This Project Specialist role supports the day-to-day implementation of UNCDF-led activities within the Livelihood Enhancement and Economic Diversification (LEED) programme in Papua New Guinea's Highlands region. The purpose is to contribute to the broader goals of the Highlands Joint Programme Phase 2 (HJP2) by addressing economic drivers of conflict, particularly youth unemployment and limited access to livelihoods and finance. The role will focus on strengthening financial inclusion, digital financial services, and blended finance instruments, ensuring timely delivery of activities, and coordinating with various partners including financial institutions, local authorities, and community groups. The incumbent will provide operational and technical support, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and contribute to the overall resilience and stability of the region by creating sustainable income-generating opportunities, especially for women and youth, and promoting inclusive participation in local economic and decision-making processes.

Responsibilities

The Project Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of UNCDF activities under the LEED Joint Programme in the Highlands region, ensuring alignment with workplans and budgets. This includes preparing budget estimates, coordinating field-level execution of financial inclusion and blended finance activities, and ensuring timely delivery in collaboration with partners. The role involves serving as the primary UNCDF field focal point, liaising with local authorities and partners, and facilitating coordination with FAO, ILO, and HJP2 teams. Additionally, the specialist will provide operational and technical support for financial inclusion interventions, assist partners with UNCDF instruments, and support due diligence processes. Key responsibilities also include supporting data collection and verification, contributing to progress reports, identifying lessons learned, and ensuring adherence to Do No Harm principles, conflict sensitivity, and social safeguards.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience (with a Master’s degree) or 7 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) in project implementation within financial inclusion, rural development livelihoods, or private sector development is required. Demonstrated experience in fragile, conflict-affected, or remote contexts is necessary. Experience in areas such as Agricultural SMEs, Clean energy SMEs, Digitalization in financial inclusion (Fintech), Project finance, Micro Finance Institutions, or Guarantee instruments is preferred. Experience in project preparation and development of investment opportunities, particularly for social objectives in developing countries, is also required.

Skills

Core Competencies: Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion. Technical Competencies: Systems Thinking, Strategic Thinking, Knowledge Generation, Working with Evidence and Data, Development finance expertise, Due diligence management, Private Sector engagement.

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