Investment Officer, IPSA 11, Honiara, Solomon Islands

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Background

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring 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. UNCDFs 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.

As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, 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 UNCDF’s 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, 2022–2031.

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.  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.  UNCDF’s work is focused on three priority areas, including: 

UNCDF’s 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 an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.

UNCDF is seeking an Investment Officer to lead the development of a reef-positive blended finance portfolio in the Solomon Islands. As a start, the position will be responsible for sourcing, structuring, and deploying concessional capital to MSMEs and financial institutions that demonstrate viable business models and measurable positive impact on coral reef ecosystems — a critical natural asset underpinning livelihoods and climate resilience in the Solomon Islands. The initial portfolio is funded through the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and co-financed by the Sustainable Pacific Blue Circle Fund with possibility of other funding being leveraged. Investments will be developed in line with GFCR Investment Principles [link removed] and in close partnership with WWF-Pacific for the GFCR-funded component. While the core focus of the position will be the design and execution of the ocean-positive investment portfolio, the Investment Specialist, as UNCDF’s lead investment focal point in Solomon Islands, will also contribute to identifying and advancing strategic SDG-aligned investment opportunities that strengthen UNCDF’s broader country portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Regional Investment Specialist for the Pacific and in close collaboration with other colleagues in the front and middle office, the Investment Officer will contribute directly to the development, structuring, approval, and execution of investment transactions as described below.

Strategic Research and Market Analysis

Design Of Projects/Financial Mechanisms and Fundraising

Execution of Investment Transactions: 

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

Project Management of Investment-Linked initiatives

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: 

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: 

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: 

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3:

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking     

Business Development: Knowledge Generation     

Business Management: Communication     

Business Management: Working with Evidence and Data     

Finance: Development finance expertise     

Finance: Due diligence management     

Partnerships management: Private Sector engagement     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section 

Languages:

Equal 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. 

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection [link removed]

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.