Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.

As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.

As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, United Nations Organizations, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. UNCDF’s work is focused on three priority areas, including:
• SME Finance
• Sub-National Finance
• Digital Finance

UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.

The Strategic Funds Unit at the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is a team at the forefront of innovative development finance. Positioned within the Investment and Implementation Division, the unit is responsible for developing and managing a global portfolio of catalytic, blended finance funds and facilities that mobilize public, private, and philanthropic capital to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in underserved markets. Working across the full lifecycle—from early-stage advisory and fund design to structuring, fundraising, and operational support—the team partners with UN agencies, development finance institutions, and private investors to originate and scale high-impact investment platforms. With a strong focus on third-party managed funds and market-based solutions, the Strategic Funds Unit plays a critical role in crowding in commercial capital, testing innovative financial structures, and driving systemic change in frontier and emerging economies.

The Strategic Funds Unit manages an evolving portfolio of blended finance initiatives spanning the full lifecycle of fund development—from early-stage advisory and incubation to structuring and operational delivery. At the preparatory stage, the team is currently supporting initiatives with entities such as the UNFPA and the UNDP Zambia through market scoping and investment case development. In the design and structuring phase, the unit is actively developing major platforms including the cities guarantee Facility, a township facility in South Africa, a pan African health fund, and a renewable energy fund with the Trade and Development Bank. At the operational stage, the team provides ongoing support, to established initiatives such as the BUILD Fund and BUILDER facility, the Nutrition and Supplier Finance Facility, the Innovative Food Systems facility and partnerships with actors such as Meridiam. This portfolio is continuously evolving as new opportunities emerge and existing initiatives transition to implementation and phase out. In parallel, the Strategic Funds Unit plays a critical cross-cutting role across UNCDF by advising regional and country teams on fund design, commercial structuring, governance, and innovative financial instruments in initiatives driven by other units.

The Project Analyst - Strategic Fund Unit will provide cross-cutting project implementation support to the Strategic Funds Unit and broader investment-related initiatives of UNCDF, with a focus on:
•    operational,
•    analytical, and
•    coordination tasks

The Project Analyst - Strategic Fund Unit will be embedded within the UNCDF Strategic Funds Unit and work under the direct supervision of the Strategic Funds Advisor and/or in very close collaboration with relevant project manager for the respective project.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Conduct of research and desk analysis to support project design and implementation

•     Conducting background research and desk analysis to inform project design and implementation.
•     Preparing first drafts of notes, presentations, and reports
•     Support internal and external stakeholder engagements through interviews and meeting documentation.

2. Provide logistics and coordination support for project governance structures

• Coordinate logistics for project governance structures, such as steering committees or project boards, and support the planning of events and workshops, including travel, venue, and communication arrangements.

3. Provide administrative and support
• Preparing procurement documentation, supporting the recruitment and onboarding of consultants, and maintaining project tracking systems.
• Contribute to priority initiatives like the Africa Health Sovereignty Fund, the role is structured to provide flexible support across UNCDF’s portfolio of blended finance and investment initiatives.

4. Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNCDF’s engagement in this area.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Competencies

Core competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional Competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Effective decision making: Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

Business development

Knowledge generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Partnership management

Relationship Management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Administation and Operations

Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings): Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation,
logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Business management

Partnerships management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or relevant related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

•    Minimum of two (2) years (with Master’s degree) or four (4) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in digital financial services is required.
•    Demonstrated experience in an impact investment organization is required.
•    Demonstrated experience in project management and multipartner coordination required.
•    Demonstrated experience working on investments in multiple regions is an advantage.
•    Previous experience with the UN and/or international organization, familiarity with its mandate and work is an asset.
•    Demonstrated experience in ESG matters, with regard to impact investing is an asset.
•    Familiarity with European Union’s development operations is desirable.
•    Experience in leadership and collaboration abilities is desirable.
•    Demonstrated ability to meet aggressive deadlines per business demands, and ability to change work schedule to accommodate competing priorities is an asset.

Language(s):

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Project Analyst - Strategic Fund Unit, IPSA9, Nairobi, Kenya, UNCDF [Open to internal and external applicants]