Catalytic Finance Specialist (Francophone West Africa)

Organizational Context

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) supports sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding globally. The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF), a project of UNOPS, focuses on achieving universal access to sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health. Capital M is SHF's initiative to strengthen the menstrual health market by fostering sustainable, market-based solutions and improving access to finance for enterprises in low- and middle-income countries.

Job Purpose

The Catalytic Finance Specialist will support the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund's (SHF) Capital M initiative, focusing on advancing pipeline opportunities for catalytic financing within the menstrual health (MH) market. This role involves identifying and analyzing high-impact enterprises and strategic partners to unlock additional investment, particularly in Francophone West Africa. The specialist will assist the technical team in scoping potential pipeline targets and partners, mapping key private sector players, and assessing financing needs. By facilitating connections between public and private funders and a pipeline of investable opportunities, the role aims to bridge the financing gap and scale market-based MH solutions, contributing to improved health, gender equality, and economic growth.

Responsibilities

The Catalytic Finance Specialist will conduct market and pipeline assessments, identifying and evaluating enterprises, financial institutions, investors, and partners crucial for catalytic financing in the menstrual health sector. This includes reviewing enterprises across the value chain, assessing their development stage, financial performance, and investment readiness. The role involves mapping the financing ecosystem, identifying local financial institutions, blended finance funds, and impact investors, and assessing their alignment with Capital M objectives. Responsibilities also include developing criteria for screening and prioritizing pipeline opportunities, recommending interventions, and supporting the development of catalytic financing instruments. Furthermore, the specialist will contribute market intelligence, build stakeholder relationships, prepare technical briefs, and represent SHF at relevant events, with an initial focus on Senegal and potential expansion across Francophone West Africa.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of work experience in the private sector, development finance, or corporate finance is required. Experience in program financing, specifically related to development finance or impact investing in low- and middle-income countries, is also essential. Experience in the menstrual health market and value chain, or knowledge of the financial actors in Francophone West Africa, is desirable.

Skills

Market Analysis, Project Coordination, Research, Stakeholder Engagement, Prioritization, Development Finance, Impact Investing, Financial Analysis, Partnership Development.

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