Advisor- Innovative and Sustainable Finance
Organizational Context
The Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) at UNOPS provides policy, standards, and support in project, infrastructure, and financial management. It drives efforts to leverage sustainable infrastructure, maximize local capacity, and achieve Sustainable Development Goals. This role, under the Geneva Head of Programme, offers expert advisory services for innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms within UNOPS projects and hosted entities, navigating complex financial and operational landscapes.
Job Purpose
The Innovative and Sustainable Finance Advisor is tasked with researching and developing novel financing mechanisms and Return on Investment (ROI) instruments to support UNOPS projects and programs, primarily within the Geneva and WEC portfolios. This role involves engaging stakeholders, assessing the feasibility of various financial models, and providing practical recommendations for establishing legally, operationally, and financially viable solutions. The advisor will contribute to embedding these mechanisms into UNOPS corporate policies and operational strategies, aiming to scale high-impact financial models across key sectors like climate action, health, and education, thereby accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring alignment with UNOPS' mission and donor expectations.
Responsibilities
The Advisor will conduct research on innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms (e.g., venture philanthropy, blended finance) and analyze comparable models from other institutions. They will consult with internal UNOPS departments and external experts to assess institutional feasibility and validate findings. A key responsibility is providing strategic guidance on integrating these financing mechanisms into UNOPS policies, operational strategies, and risk management frameworks, identifying opportunities for thematic scaling and assessing institutional impacts. The role involves analyzing various financial instruments, evaluating their comparative advantages, limitations, and operational requirements, and developing comprehensive frameworks and policy recommendations. Furthermore, the Advisor will define policy limits for financial assets, map financial tools to project goals, evaluate cross-border regulatory constraints, establish oversight and risk-mitigation measures, and define impact measurement methodologies. They will also draft initial operational frameworks for prioritized financial instruments and advise/train UNOPS personnel on designing and managing financial architectures. Finally, the Advisor will develop reports and presentations summarizing findings and recommendations, ensuring integration of gender, social inclusion, and environmental considerations.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of extensive experience in innovative or sustainable financing, venture capital, private equity, impact investing, blended finance, or development finance is required. This includes a strong understanding of financing concepts, environmental/social risks, and impact measurement. Experience in financial analysis, investment strategies, and knowledge of global sustainable finance frameworks are essential. Experience in fragile countries, familiarity with accelerator programs, and prior work with multilateral organizations are desirable.
Skills
Account Management, Acquisitions, Alternative Investments, Creativity, Program Management, Project Management, Public-private Partnerships, Project Scope Management, Strategy and Planning Communication.