Investments and Debt Finance Specialist, Africa

The Investments and Debt Finance Specialist will support the delivery of activities under the EU Sustainable Finance Advisory Hub implemented by UNDP, focusing on sustainable finance instruments, green and sustainability bond issuance, and capacity building in Africa. The role involves advising governments and financial institutions, contributing to strategic alignment with European Commission initiatives, and facilitating knowledge sharing and advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support the development and implementation of UNDP’s thematic debt offering and lead the design and piloting of innovative development bond frameworks in selected countries across Africa.
• Provide tailored technical advice to governments and partners to address country-specific financing needs with a focus on green bonds under the EU Sustainable Finance Advisory Hub.
• Ensure coherence with the European Commission’s Global Green Bond Initiative and contribute to joint EC-UNDP workplans and reporting.
• Prepare donor reports and contribute to monitoring frameworks consistent with regional priorities and global strategies.
• Leverage networks, foster partnerships, and identify opportunities to scale sustainable finance solutions at global and country levels with a focus on blended finance structures.
• Provide methodological guidance and flagship initiatives related to thematic bonds and debt instruments.
• Identify capacity building needs and organize training, workshops, and other relevant activities involving technical experts and stakeholders.
• Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for wider application.
• Participate in knowledge networks and communities of practice, support establishment of knowledge platforms, and promote advocacy for UNDP’s work in sustainable finance.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Development Finance or closely related field is required.
• 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.
• A minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in sustainable finance, thematic bond issuance or related areas, is required.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing thematic bond frameworks, including impact measurement, evaluation, and reporting.
• Proven track record in structuring thematic debt, including green and blue bonds, with issuers in Africa or other developing country contexts.
• Proven track record of conducting market analyses and preliminary studies for green bond and/or other investment opportunities.
• Experience in advising on sovereign, sub-sovereign, and/or corporate bond development, including structuring, partnerships, and use of proceeds (experience in Africa is an advantage).
• Experience working with sovereign, sub-sovereign, and corporate bond issuers.
• Strong experience in working with complex projects and datasets, with the ability to synthesize information, support partnership building, present to senior/Board-level stakeholders, and mobilize resources.
• Experience in blended finance or other financial instruments for green/sustainable investments.
• Familiarity with EU and international best practices for green bond issuance.
• Fluency in English and French are required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
• Supplementary financial certifications (i.e. CFA, CAIA, CPA) is highly desirable.

Skills

• Sustainable Finance
• Thematic Bond Issuance
• Thematic Bond Framework Development
• Impact Measurement
• Bond Structuring
• Green Bonds
• Blue Bonds
• Market Analysis
• Investment Opportunity Analysis
• Sovereign Bond Advisory
• Sub-sovereign Bond Advisory
• Corporate Bond Advisory
• Partnership Development
• Use of Proceeds Structuring
• Complex Data Analysis
• Stakeholder Presentation Skills
• Resource Mobilization
• Blended Finance Structuring
• Financial Instruments for Sustainable Investment
• EU Green Bond Best Practices
• Financial Certifications
• Capacity Building

Languages

English, French