Investment Specialist

The Investment Specialist will deploy investment and blended finance expertise to support the origination, structuring, execution, and management of UNCDF’s investment portfolio in last mile and underserved markets, with a focus on the Pacific region. The role involves building a robust investment pipeline, structuring transactions using blended finance instruments, and supporting capital deployment in fragile and climate-vulnerable markets.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop investment opportunities in the Pacific region, including in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), focusing on climate finance, MSME finance, digital finance, and resilient infrastructure.
• Build and maintain a diversified pipeline of investments aligned with UNCDF’s strategic priorities and geographic focus.
• Engage with ecosystem stakeholders including private sector partners, DFIs, donors, and internal UNCDF teams to originate bankable and impact-driven opportunities.
• Lead the structuring and execution of investments using UNCDF’s blended finance instruments such as concessional loans, guarantees, investment grants, and blended finance vehicles.
• Conduct end-to-end due diligence including financial analysis, credit risk assessment, market feasibility, and development impact considerations.
• Apply context-specific structuring approaches suitable for Pacific markets including small-ticket transactions, local currency solutions, and risk-sharing mechanisms adapted to thin financial markets and limited data environments.
• Manage an active portfolio of investments, monitoring financial performance, compliance, and achievement of development results.
• Identify risks and underperformance early and recommend appropriate remedial actions including restructuring or enhanced support.
• Contribute to internal portfolio reviews, reporting, and performance discussions.
• Support partner institutions, local financial intermediaries, and policymakers to address systemic constraints to capital mobilization and strengthen investment ecosystems in Pacific countries.
• Facilitate access to follow-on financing and support progression toward commercial or institutional funding.
• Identify systemic market constraints and contribute to initiatives that improve access to capital in target segments.
• Identify capacity building needs and opportunities and ensure appropriate training and capacity building activities are organized and implemented.
• Document and communicate best practices, programme results, and lessons learned.
• Support establishment of knowledge platforms and innovative mechanisms for capturing and disseminating knowledge.
• Perform other duties within functional profile as necessary for efficient functioning of the Office and Organization.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Management, International Development/Finance, or a closely related discipline is required.
• Or a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in investment, development finance, blended finance, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in emerging or frontier markets, including at least 3-5 years of experience working in the Pacific region or comparable Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• Proven experience in investment origination, structuring, due diligence, and execution, including blended finance instruments (e.g., concessional lending, guarantees, subordinated debt, first‑loss structures, and reimbursable grants).
• Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, credit assessment, rating methodology, and portfolio management, including the ability to assess risk, structure transactions, and manage complex early-stage investment portfolios.
• Proven ability to structure and execute transactions in small, remote, or capacity-constrained markets, including familiarity with SIDS-specific development challenges (e.g., climate vulnerability, FX constraints, limited pipeline).
• Experience with direct, in-country experience in Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including engagement with local financial institutions, governments, and regional organizations is desired.
• Existing professional networks in the Pacific region (financial institutions, DFIs, regulators, and regional bodies) would be an asset.
• Proven familiarity with UNCDF, UNDP, or comparable international development finance institutions would be an asset.
• Experience and strong knowledge and evidence of application of capital structuring, co-financing arrangements, and risk mitigation mechanisms, including local currency financing considerations would be an asset.
• Experience and strong and proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, including government counterparts, DFIs, donors, and private sector leadership would be an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to impact-first investing, with the ability to balance development impact, financial additionality, and concessional return expectations would be an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.

Skills

• Investment Origination
• Investment Structures
• Due Diligence
• Investment Execution
• Blended Finance Instruments
• Concessional Lending
• Guarantees
• Subordinated Debt
• First-loss Structures
• Reimbursable Grants
• Financial Analysis
• Credit Assessment
• Rating Methodology
• Portfolio Management
• Risk Assessment
• Transaction Structuring
• Financial Structuring
• Co-Financing Mechanisms
• Risk Mitigation
• Local currency financing
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Development Finance
• Emerging Markets
• Pacific Region Experience
• Small Island Developing States Expertise
• Financial Institutions Engagement
• Engagement with Government Officials
• Development Impact Investing

Languages

English