Investment Specialist For Asia Pacific, Ipsa11 (homebased) 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 least developed countries, by supplementing capital assistance through grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDF's vision is to mobilize and catalyze capital flows for SDG-impactful investments, addressing development challenges for vulnerable communities and contributing to sustainable economic growth. It operates as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution, focusing on SME Finance, Sub-National Finance, and Digital Finance.

Job Purpose

The Investment Specialist will contribute to the development, structuring, approval, and execution of investment transactions within the Asia and Pacific region. This role involves conducting market scoping, advising on blended finance solutions, mapping financing landscapes, and analyzing market conditions to identify and mitigate investment barriers. The specialist will design financial mechanisms, support fundraising efforts, and engage with potential co-investors and partners. Key responsibilities include screening investment opportunities, performing due diligence, building financial models, and managing the execution of transactions. Additionally, the role entails providing technical assistance and capacity building to investees and contributing to project management, reporting, and knowledge management to drive UNCDF's mandate of mobilizing capital for development impact.

Responsibilities

The Investment Specialist is responsible for strategic research and market analysis, including leading market scoping, advising on blended finance solutions, mapping financing landscapes, and analyzing financial terms and market conditions. They will identify regulatory barriers and monitor trends in blended finance and impact investing. In project design, the specialist will draft investment strategy documents, support the design of blended finance and derisking approaches, propose innovative structures, and offer technical guidance on investment readiness. They will also identify and engage with co-investors and partners, contribute to investment roadmaps, and support strategic planning and reporting. For transaction execution, responsibilities include screening opportunities, conducting due diligence, analyzing financial statements, building financial models, assessing credit risk, drafting appraisal memorandums, and supporting transaction structuring. The role also involves providing technical assistance and capacity building to investees, advising government counterparts, and facilitating knowledge exchange. Finally, the specialist will manage investment-linked initiatives, including work plans, budgets, donor reporting, and M&E processes.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience (with a Master's) or 9 years (with a Bachelor's) in the financial or private sector, with investment/business management expertise, is required. At least 5 years of investment experience in areas like SME finance (agricultural, clean energy, fintech), project finance, microfinance, or development finance guarantee instruments is necessary. Experience in venture capital or banking within an international financial environment, particularly in development finance, is also required. Proficiency in financial modeling and analysis using Excel is essential.

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, Knowledge Generation, Communication, Working with Evidence and Data, Development Finance Expertise, Due Diligence Management, Private Sector Engagement.

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