Investment Specialist, NPSA10, Nairobi, Kenya, 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 through grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDF aims to mobilize and catalyze capital for SDG impactful investments, focusing on developing local financial systems and mobilizing public and private capital. The Investment Specialist role is within the Investment & Implementation Division (IID) in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on the East and South African region.
Job Purpose
The Investment Specialist role within UNCDF's Investment & Implementation Division (IID) is crucial for mobilizing and deploying catalytic blended-finance instruments to de-risk investments, strengthen local capital markets, and attract private capital for climate-resilient growth and financial inclusion in East and Southern Africa. This position provides the analytical and coordination support necessary to transform pipeline opportunities into bankable, impact-aligned transactions. The specialist will execute the full investment transaction cycle, from due diligence to final submission, while also coordinating partner engagement, supporting internal approvals, and contributing to post-approval monitoring and reporting. The ultimate goal is to enhance transaction quality and speed, improve risk management, and enable UNCDF to scale capital mobilization and achieve measurable development outcomes across the region.
Responsibilities
The Investment Specialist will manage and develop a pipeline of investment initiatives aligned with UNCDF priorities, preparing concept notes and funding proposals. This includes screening opportunities from various sources and coordinating market scans. The role involves leading the appraisal and execution of investment transactions, conducting financial analysis, due diligence, risk assessments, and ESG/KYC/AML/CFT reviews. The specialist will prepare investment assessment reports and coordinate transaction structuring and legal documentation. Building and maintaining relationships with financial partners, structuring blended finance solutions, and facilitating investor engagement are key. Additionally, the role requires preparing advocacy materials, documenting best practices, supporting stakeholder engagement, and contributing to policy briefs and resource mobilization efforts. Providing advisory services and facilitating knowledge management, including training, is also part of the responsibilities.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of experience (with a Master's degree) or 7 years (with a Bachelor's degree) in the financial or private sector, with a focus on investment and/or business management, is required. Demonstrated experience in structuring and executing financial transactions, including financial modeling and credit risk assessment, is essential. Experience managing an investment portfolio, stakeholder management, and negotiation, particularly with financial institutions, is also necessary.
Skills
Core Competencies: Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion. Technical Competencies: Advocacy strategy and implementation, Private sector engagement, Financial reporting and analysis, Systems Thinking, Portfolio Management, Development Finance Expertise, Due Diligence Management.