Investment Specialist, NPSA10, Accra, Ghana, UNCDF [Open to internal and external applicants]
Overview
The Investment Specialist will lead technical implementation of investment readiness and pipeline development activities, supporting MSMEs, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners to access financing solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and adapt pipeline-sourcing approaches for the Ghanaian market and maintain a documented pipeline of MSMEs, financial institutions and ecosystem partners.
- Conduct initial screening and segmentation of partners based on investment readiness levels and financing needs.
- Support the design and implementation of calls for applications (RFAs) and pipeline sourcing strategies.
- Conduct detailed due diligence on identified investees.
- Assess gaps in financial management, governance, business models, and digital capabilities affecting investment readiness.
- Design and coordinate tailored technical assistance (TA) interventions to improve bankability of MSMEs and partner institutions.
- Provide hands-on advisory support on financial structuring, record-keeping, business planning, and creditworthiness.
- Work with service providers to deliver targeted capacity building.
- Contribute to the preparation of investment cases and basic financial models.
- Liaise with UNCDF investment team and external financiers.
- Engage financial institutions, fintechs, crowdfunding platforms, and DFIs to connect investment-ready entities with financing opportunities.
- Support collaboration with regulators and government stakeholders.
- Facilitate partnerships between MSMEs, financial service providers, and ecosystem actors.
- Design and support the organization of investment-focused events.
- Track progress of supported partners along the investment readiness pathway.
- Document lessons learned and contributed to knowledge products on SME financing and investment readiness.
- Work with monitoring and evaluation personnel to track progress of partners against KPIs and corporate indicators.
- Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices.
Required Experience
A minimum of five (5) years (with a master's degree), or seven (7) years (with a bachelor's degree), of relevant experience in banking or financial services, development finance, private-sector impact investing, investment readiness or Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) finance is required. Experience in MSME finance, investment readiness, development finance, or private-sector development, including exposure to financial services or investment processes. Experience working with financial service providers to develop or refine MSME-focused financial products, preferably in emerging markets, least developed countries, or Ghana. Experience in pipeline development, partner or investee sourcing and assessment, financial analysis, business diagnostics, and coordinating technical assistance to address governance, financial management, or operational gaps.
Qualifications
An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Accounting or Business Administration is required. Or A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in one of the fields listed above, combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.