About the opportunity
The Investment Specialist sits within UNCDF’s Investment & Implementation Division (IID), focusing on mobilizing and deploying catalytic blended-finance instruments such as guarantees, concessional loans, and grants. The role is critical for de-risking investments, strengthening local capital markets, and crowding in private capital to support climate-resilient, job-creating growth and financial inclusion. The incumbent will lead the full cycle of investment transactions, from initial due diligence and financial modeling to final submission for committee approval, and will contribute to post-approval covenant monitoring and impact tracking. This position requires a blend of financial expertise, stakeholder management, and a commitment to the UN’s development mandate.
Salary and benefits
- Professional experience within a flagship UN catalytic blended financing platform
- Opportunity to manage multi-million-dollar investment portfolios
- Engagement with diverse stakeholders including commercial banks, DFIs, and impact investors
- Contribution to high-impact development outcomes in the East and Southern Africa region
Who can apply?
- Master's degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field with 5 years of relevant experience
- Bachelor's degree in the same fields with 7 years of relevant experience
- Demonstrated experience in structuring and executing financial transactions, including financial modeling and credit risk assessment
- Proven experience managing investment portfolios, including performance monitoring and compliance
- Experience writing investment and transaction memos for decision-making committees
- Fluency in English and Swahili
Required documents
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
- Academic degree certificates
- Proof of relevant professional experience
When to apply
- Applications must be submitted by 2026-10-07
How to apply
- Review the full job description and eligibility criteria on the official UNCDF/UNDP careers portal
- Ensure you meet the specific Tier eligibility requirements if applicable
- Submit your application through the Oracle Recruiting Cloud platform before the deadline
Additional information
- This is a National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA) position at grade NPSA-10
- The contract duration is 1 year
- The role requires periodic in-country travel for stakeholder engagement and project monitoring
- UNCDF does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Professionals with a strong background in blended finance, credit risk assessment, and financial modeling
- Candidates with direct experience working with DFIs, impact investors, or private sector-facing donor-funded programs
- Individuals with deep knowledge of the MSME financing ecosystem in Kenya or the East and Southern Africa region
What should you think carefully about?
- This is a fixed-term, one-year contract, which may impact long-term job security planning
- The role requires fluency in both English and Swahili, which is a strict requirement for effective stakeholder engagement
- Applicants must verify their eligibility under the tiered application process (Tier 0-3) as outlined in the vacancy announcement
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role is an excellent fit for mid-to-senior level finance professionals looking to pivot into or advance within the development finance sector. It offers a unique opportunity to apply private-sector investment skills to public-sector development goals, providing significant exposure to blended finance mechanisms and high-level stakeholder management within the UN system.
Our take
Candidates with a solid track record in investment transaction execution and a passion for development impact should apply. It is less suitable for those without direct experience in financial modeling, credit risk, or the specific regional MSME financing landscape.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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