Investment Specialist, NPSA-11, Nairobi, Kenya, UNCDF [Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants]
Overview
The Investment Specialist will provide analytical and coordination support to convert pipeline opportunities into bankable, impact-aligned transactions. The role involves conducting market and borrower analysis, building financial models, and executing investment transaction activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical advisory in the conception and design of new development finance initiatives.
- Lead the preparation of concept notes, donor proposals, and internal project documents.
- Support the implementation of high-level fundraising strategy.
- Monitor project performance against approved log frames and financial plans.
- Lead and provide technical oversight for the full investment lifecycle of bespoke investment transactions.
- Review and assess high-level transaction structures, terms and risk-sharing approaches.
- Coordinate mandatory technical inputs from Legal, Risk & Compliance, Finance and Impact Measurement.
- Prepare UNCDF for participation in dialogues with donors, development financiers, government counterparts and strategic investors.
- Convene multi-stakeholder fora as needed.
- Lead periodic learning reviews and capture lessons from design and implementation phases.
- Design and deliver targeted capacity strengthening for country staff.
- Ensure incorporation of ESG, gender and safeguarding considerations into initiative design, monitoring and oversight activities.
- Maintain compliance with UNCDF corporate policies, donor reporting timelines and fiduciary controls.
- Foster strong coordination with HQ.
Required Experience
A Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in investment analysis, private equity, development finance, or impact investment is required. Experience working in venture capital and/or banking within an international financial environment, preferably in a development finance institution, impact investor or similar. Experience in private credit, debt and/or equity for investments with a social mission in emerging/frontier markets. Experience with advanced financial modelling and/or preparing project finance transactions. Experience in the project management cycle and managing results. Desired: Demonstrated experience and knowledge of UNCDF programming and project management policies. At least 2 years of experience in working for/in the UN System preferably in Kenya. Previous experience working in emerging markets/Least Developed Countries (LDCs) context. Experience using IT systems, including working regularly with business intelligence visualization tools. Experience in Project Preparation and/or in development of investment opportunities, especially projects in the UN.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance and Investments, Economics, Business Administration, or relevant related field is required, OR A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Actuarial Science, Investments or finance, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.