Public and Digital Investment Specialist
Organizational Context
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global leader in international development, supporting countries in poverty eradication, climate action, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The UNDP Rome Centre for Climate and Energy serves as a key platform for engagement with the Italian Government, focusing on climate finance, youth engagement, and energy for development through programmes like PISTA and the Digital Flagship.
Job Purpose
This role contributes to the UNDP Rome Centre's growing pipeline of impactful projects by providing expertise as a Digital and Public Investment Specialist. The specialist will support project development, particularly within the climate and energy sectors, and facilitate connections with financiers. A key focus will be on translating strategic investment concepts into bankable public sector projects, especially within the Italy-Africa Digital Flagship Programme, ensuring interventions meet the criteria of international Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) for unlocking climate finance.
Responsibilities
The Digital and Public Investment Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the quality and bankability of investment packages for projects, including those related to climate-resilient agriculture, smart irrigation, and AI/data innovation. This involves assessing investment feasibility, identifying gaps, and recommending improvements to strengthen technical credibility and financial viability. The role requires supporting the development of modular investment options, aligning financial structuring with financier requirements, and identifying co-financing partners. Additionally, the specialist will contribute to due diligence processes, prepare investment memoranda and presentations for financiers, and coordinate with consulting teams and stakeholders. Quality assurance of project outputs against international standards and capturing lessons learned for knowledge sharing are also key duties.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of progressive professional experience in project development, investment structuring, transaction advisory, or infrastructure/development finance is required. Proven experience in structuring, appraising, or financing complex public sector or sovereign-backed investment projects in emerging markets is essential. Experience with climate-resilient agriculture, digital public infrastructure, or public sector digital transformation is also required.
Skills
Core competencies include achieving results, innovative thinking, continuous learning, adaptability, determination, and engaging/partnering. Cross-functional and technical skills encompass system thinking, portfolio management, partnership management, development finance expertise, digital and alternative finance capabilities, digital transformation design, and strong communication skills.