Investment Specialist, Suva, Fiji

## Investment Specialist, Suva, Fiji - Organization:UNDP - United Nations Development Programme - Office:UNDP Suva, Fiji 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. 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, UNOs, 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: 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. Duties and Responsibilities UNCDF is seeking an Investment Specialist to lead sourcing, structuring, and deploying concessional capital to MSMEs and financial institutions that demonstrate viable business models and measurable positive impact. The incumbent will support the structuring, deployment, and monitoring of financial instruments across the Pacific region, including those implemented under the EU-funded Sustainable Pacific Blue Circle Fund (SPBCF) and the GFCR-funded Investing in Coral Reefs and Blue Economy initiative, as well as other UNCDF investment and blended finance projects. Under the supervision of the Regional Investment Specialist for the Pacific and in close collaboration with other colleagues in the front and middle office, the Investment Specialist will contribute directly to the development, structuring, approval, and execution of investment transactions as described below. A) Strategic Research and Market Analysis - Lead systematic market scoping to inform investment strategies and identify opportunities to support underserved beneficiaries through appropriately designed financial instruments and technical assistance (TA). - Advise on structuring blended finance solutions tailored to specific market and project needs and identify investment opportunities across priority sectors. - Map the financing landscape in target countries, identifying key capital providers and financial intermediaries. - Analyze prevailing financial terms, instruments, and market conditions to inform structuring decisions. - Identify regulatory and policy barriers affecting investment flows and propose mitigation strategies. - Monitor trends in blended finance, climate finance, and impact investing relevant to UNCDF's mandate. B) Design of Projects/Financial Mechanisms and Fundraising - Draft investment strategy documents, operational guidelines, and structural frameworks for investment vehicles or funds. - Provide input on fund governance, operational models, and overall design to ensure alignment with UNCDF's strategic objectives. - Support the design of blended finance solutions tailored to market conditions and specific project needs. - Design derisking and blended finance approaches that crowd in private capital while ensuring development of additionality. - Propose innovative structures and support facilities/platforms/pooled mechanisms to address market fragmentation. - Recommend appropriate de-risking instruments to catalyze private sector investment. - Offer technical guidance on investment readiness for project developers and enterprises. - Identify and engage with potential co-investors, development of finance institutions, and private sector partners. - Contribute to the development of country-specific investment roadmaps, pipelines, and strategic partnerships. - Contribute to knowledge of products, case studies, and analytical briefs related to investment and blended finance. - Support strategic planning, reporting, and donor engagement related to UNCDF's investment portfolio. - Participate in investment related meetings, working groups, and partner discussions at the country level, as delegated. C) Execution of Investment Transactions: - Identify and screen investment opportunities aligned with UNCDF's strategic priorities, supplementary guidelines, and SDG targets. - Conduct comprehensive due diligence (desk-based and on-site) on selected transactions. - Analyze financial statements including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flows. - Build and refine financial models to assess investment viability and risk-return profiles. - Score credit risk and assess the financial health of prospective investees. - Draft investment appraisal memor