Background
General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to โbring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFโs vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.
UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDFโs unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022โ2031.
As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, UNOs, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector. ย By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. ย UNCDFโs work is focused on six priority areas, including:
Sub-national and local infrastructure financing Women owned enterprise financing Nature and climate financing Energy and decarbonization finance Sustainable food systems financing Inclusive digital financeFollowing a recent restructuring, UNCDFโs organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321 (XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by the Executive Board of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and performs the function of the Executive Board of UNCDF.
This positionโs key role is to support in the finalization of the ongoing negotiations with the European Commission, starting with the Pillar Assessment of the EC to access the financial instruments offered by the Commission, EFSD+ Guarantee negotiations and agreements from blending envelopes. On a broader mandate, it supports the UNCDF Strategic Engagement team based in headquarters to implement its broader corporate partnership strategy and provide information on the changing policy and funding mechanism modalities of the European Commission to the forefront.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Partnerships Development Analyst will be responsible for the following duties:
ย
1) Facilitate UNCDFโs corporate partnerships strategy with EC/EU:
2) Provide Support to the Strategic Engagement Team (SET) to:
Understand the state of play of other European donors vis-a-vis the European Commission, specially related to policy changes and priorities.ย Increase understanding of donor priorities and structures. Prepare and implement the corporate partnership strategy. Support in the preparation of strategic briefing materials to support UNCDF representation in meetings and events. Position UNCDF as a provider of blended finance solutions to the private sector and impact investors, elevating public-private partnerships. ย Ensure up to date information on fundersโ strategies and priorities while leveraging all of the UNCDF themes and allowing UNCDF to coherently present, manage and increase its partnerships and proposal pipeline. Support development of tailored resource mobilization strategy at the global, regional and country levels in line with this research to ensure funding proposals are aligned to LDC country priorities, comparative advantages of UNCDF and fundersโ interests. Monitor (quarterly) the implementation of the partnerships strategy at the global, regional and country levels by updating the resource mobilization pipeline report (soft, hard, signed) for senior management.3) Enable the development and negotiations with the European Commission:
Coordinate efforts internally at UNCDF and with the European Commission involved in the process of the Pillar 6 assessment for UNCDF.ย Coordinate efforts internally at UNCDF and with the European Commission involved in the EFSD+ Terms of Reference negotiations.ย Coordinate efforts internally at UNCDF and with the European Commission involved in the negotiation and contract signature for CAFI agreements.ย Based on the priorities identified by Senior Management, support countries, regions or thematic leads to develop funding proposals for submission to Blended Finance and EFSD+.4) Work on integrating knowledge sharing into UNCDF corporate partnerships efforts and foster Knowledge exchange and learning between country and regional offices
Support SET in internal learning events bringing to the table an angle that considers the European Commissionโs trends and policies (i.e. Team meetings, retreats). Support SETโs efforts to build greater sharing of information and knowledge across UNCDF on Partnershipโs strategies, with special focus on the European Commission.ย Assist SETโs in developing and maintaining contact databases for partners and other stakeholdersThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1
Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineThink Innovatively: LEVEL 1
Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsLearn Continuously: LEVEL 1
Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedbackAdapt with Agility: LEVEL 1
Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleAct with Determination: LEVEL 1
Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confidentEngage and Partner: LEVEL 1
Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationshipsEnable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 1
Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy: Systems Thinkingย ย ย ย
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.Business Development: Knowledge Generationย ย ย ย
Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situationsBusiness Management: Portfolio Managementย ย ย ย
Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situationsBusiness Management: Communicationย ย ย ย
Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. ยAbility to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channelsExternal Relations & Advocacy: Advocacy Strategy and Implementationย ย ย ย
Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful changePartnership Management: Relationship Managementย ย ย ย
Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understandingPartnership Management: EU partnershipsย ย ย ย
Knowledge and understanding of EU strategies, approached, processes and systemsRequired Skills and Experience
Min. Academic Education
Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, International Relations or related fields is required. ORย A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs degree) in the above area with two additional years of relevant work experience will be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degree.Min. years of relevant Work experience
Minimum 2 years (with a Masterโs degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelorโs degree) of professional experience in positions in partnerships management with a focus on the European Commission (e.g. DG INTPA, NEAR and/or ECHO) and European bilateral donors.Required skills and competencies
At least 2 years of professional experience working with contracting, operations and finance with EU funded โActionsโDesired additional skills and competencies
Proven track record of strong analytical and research skills. Familiarity with UNDP/UNCDF. Experience providing logistical support to deliver successful corporate events. Experience providing blended finance advisory services in the context of international development, with hands-on experience in impact investments. Experience in donor intelligence gathering, researching donors/client priorities, identifying key stakeholders in organizations and creating engagement plans. Experience in agreement negotiations, contracting, operations, and finance of EU-funded projects. Previous experience with the European Commissionโs Funding Mechanisms and FAFA Framework.Required Language(s) (at working level)
Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of another DG INTPA languages is desired. (Spanish, French, Portuguese)ยEqual opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
ย