Investment Specialist, NPSA10, Nairobi, Kenya, UNCDF [Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants], Nairobi, Kenya

## Investment Specialist, NPSA10, Nairobi, Kenya, UNCDF [Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants], Nairobi, Kenya - Organization:UNDP - United Nations Development Programme 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, 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: 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 Investment Specialist sits within UNCDF's Investment & Implementation Division (IID), reporting to the Region-Based Investment Specialist (RIS). IID's mandate is to mobilize and deploy catalytic blended-finance instruments-guarantees, concessional loans, and grants to de-risk investments, strengthen local capital markets, and crowd in private capital toward climate-resilient, job-creating growth and financial inclusion across the East and South African (ESA) region. Within this context, the Investment Specialist provides the analytical and coordination backbone that converts pipeline opportunities into bankable, impact-aligned transactions by conducting market and borrower analysis, building and stress-testing financial models, supporting preliminary risk/ESG screening, preparing investment notes and Pre-Assessment Memo (PAM) inputs, and is responsible for executing the full cycle of investment transaction activities from initial due diligence through to the final submission of the investment package for decision-making; the Investment Specialist also coordinates with Investment Specialists on partner engagement, supports internal approvals (Pre-Investment Committee (PIC) / Investment and Disbursement Impact Committee (IDIC)) and legal closing, and post-approval contributes to covenant monitoring, impact/results tracking, and portfolio performance reporting; collectively improving transaction quality and speed, enhancing risk management, and enabling IID to scale capital mobilization and measurable development outcomes across the region. Duties and Responsibilities The Investment Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Region-Based Investment Specialist (RIS), with Matrix Reporting to the Project Manager. The position will be Kenya-based (Nairobi) and will require periodic in-country travel for stakeholder engagement, due diligence, and project monitoring. Under the supervision of the Region-Based Investment Specialist, the incumbent will perform the below tasks: 1. Management and development of a pipeline of investment initiatives and opportunities - Develop and manage a pipeline of investment initiatives aligned with UNCDF priorities, country programmes, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). - Prepare concept notes, funding proposals, and project documents to advance initiatives through the investment cycle. - Identify and screen investment opportunities from public, private, and UN partner pipelines - Coordinate market scans, Expressions of Interest (EOIs), Request for Proposals (RFPs), and challenge funds to source high-quality investment opportunities 2. Investment transaction underwriting and due diligence - Lead the appraisal and execution of investment transactions, including guarantees, concessional loans, and grants, from origination to investment committee approval. - Conduct financial analysis, due diligence, risk assessments, and ESG, KYC/AML/CFT reviews in accordance with UNCDF policies. - Prepare investment assessment reports, memoranda, and committee documentation to support investment decisions. - Coordinate transaction structuring, legal documentation, and fulfilment of conditions precedent through to disbursement. 3. Structuring and matchmaking with local and commercial capital - Build and maintain relationships with commercial banks, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), impact investors, and other financing partners. - Support the structuring of blended finance and risk-sharing solutions to mobilize private capital. - Facilitate investor engagement, co-financing opportunities, and strategic partnerships f