Impact Measurement Verification and Learning Manager (IPSA12) Home-Based UNCDF [Open to internal and external applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

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, United Nations Organizations, 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:
• SME Finance
• Sub-National Finance
• Digital Finance
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.

The Impact Measurement Verification and Learning Unit, established in the UNCDF Front Office is composed of Strategic Intelligence, Impact Measurement and Evaluation. The overarching purpose of the IMVL Unit is to determine whether and to what extent, the work of UNCDF is achieving positive intended impacts, and to provide data-driven recommendations on strategic and systemic actions that strengthen performance. This includes assessing whether UNCDF programming in digital finance, SME finance and sub-national/municipal support, is achieving development objectives. Insights and lessons from IMVL research, field reconnaissance and evaluations should enable UNCDF to expand pathways for replication, scalability, crowding in public and private investors and improving the conditions enabling market transformation in developing countries.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Impact Measurement Verification and Learning (IMVL), the IMVL Manager leads in the generation, verification, and use of high-quality impact intelligence to support investment decisions, portfolio performance management, accountability to stakeholders, and organizational learning—particularly in fragile, climate-vulnerable, and underserved markets typical of LDCs and SIDS. In addition to taking the lead role in impact management and assessment, the IMVL Manager will be expected to significantly contribute in other strategic areas, including transaction structuring, pipeline development, risk analysis and knowledge sharing.

Key responsibilities of the IMVL Manager include:

1.) Strategic Impact Measurement Verification and Learning and Portfolio Insight

• Provide forward-looking intelligence that informs investment strategy, pipeline development, and portfolio performance
• Contribute to development of impact intelligence products to support strategy and investment decisions.
• Analyze sectoral, geographic, and thematic trends relevant to blended finance and impact investing.
• Develop impact theses aligned with organizational priorities as defined in the UNCDF Strategic Framework
• Produce portfolio-level impact insights to inform resource allocation and risk management.

2.) Knowledge Management and Thought Leadership
• Institutionalize learning and contribute to sector-wide knowledge.
• Develop internal guidance materials and technical notes.
• Develop, disseminate and maintain repositories of lessons learned and best practices.
• Produce thematic briefs and research outputs.
• Support publication of case studies.
• Promote innovation in impact methodologies.
• Generate actionable learning following structured evaluation of UNCDF investments and programs
• Contribute to development of evaluation frameworks suited to blended finance models.
• Ensure integration of evaluation learning loops into program and investment design.
• Translate evaluation findings into practical recommendations.

3.) Impact Verification and Assurance
• Ensure robust, standardized, and practical measurement of impact across UNCDF investments and programs.
• Lead development of impact intelligence products to support strategy and investment decisions.
• Analyze sectoral, geographic, and thematic trends relevant to blended finance and impact investing.
• Develop impact theses aligned with institutional priorities (e.g., climate resilience, financial inclusion, gender equality).
• Produce portfolio-level impact insights to inform resource allocation and risk management.
• Integrate contextual intelligence (fragility, climate vulnerability, market gaps) into decision frameworks.
• Support due diligence by assessing theory of change coherence, environmental and social safeguards adherence and expected development outcomes.

4.) Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) System Leadership, Data Systems and Digital Tools Management
• Safeguard the credibility, integrity, and reliability of reported impact results.
• Lead verification of impact data reported by investees and partners.
• Conduct periodic data quality audits, spot checking and validation exercises.
• Develop and enforce impact assurance protocols.
• Manage relationships with external verification partners where applicable.
• Identify risks related to impact overstatement or data gaps.
• Ensure traceability from reported outcomes to source evidence.
• Ensure reliable infrastructure for collecting, managing, and analyzing impact data
• Coordinate with Corporate IT on the development and maintenance of impact data platforms.
• Define system requirements for data collection and reporting.
• Ensure data interoperability across programs and investments.
• Support visualization tools and dashboards.
• Maintain data governance standards.

5.) Governance, Reporting and Accountability
• Ensure accurate, credible reporting to internal leadership and external stakeholders.
• Lead preparation of impact reports for senior leadership, donors, and investors.
• Support reporting against development and Strategic Framework commitments.
• Ensure alignment between reported results and verified evidence.
• Contribute to UNCDF annual reports, impact disclosures, and strategic reviews.
• Prepare briefing materials on impact results for the UNCDF Executive Secretary, Managing Director, and Executive Board.

6.) Organizational Engagement and Coordination
• Maintain productive relationships with internal and external IMVL partners contributing to impact outcomes
• Coordinate with investment teams to integrate impact into decision-making, including participation in the UNCDF Investment and Disbursement Impact Committee, to advise on how new projects/programs can meet expected standards for impact measurement and evaluation.
• Liaise with investees to strengthen their measurement capacity.
• Advise on engagement of donors, development partners, and co-investors on impact matters.
• Support as necessary the organization in technical working groups.

7.) Team Leadership & Coordination
• Lead a small team of staff and consultants delivering high-quality analytical and technical outputs.
• Develop and manage the IMVL annual work plans, ensuring that all planned deliverables are meeting time and quality expectations
• Manage and mentor IMVL team, assigning workloads and ensuring efficient task management.
• Set performance expectations and development plans.
• Build team capacity in evaluation methods and data analytics.
• Maintain a collaborative, results-oriented team culture.

The 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 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking

• Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNCDF’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
  Business Direction & Strategy
  Business Acumen Ability to understand and deal with business situations in a manner that is likely to lead to positive outcomes. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organisation and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks in the organization Business Direction & Strategy
  Entrepreneurial Thinking
  Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNCDF value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNCDF’s organizational priorities and mandate.
  Business Direction & Strategy
  System Thinking
  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 Generation
  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 situations.
  Digital
  Developmental evaluation
  Learning and adaptation focused: ability to promote and facilitate ongoing reflection and adaptation; aimed at informing learning and portfolio related decision making. Being comfortable with unknown unknowns, uncertainty and understand the traits and value of working with emergence. Being able to give direction rather than destination: monitor and learn about how we understand the present and our direction towards something better (general intent) – not measuring progress and milestones towards a specific pre-defined goal.Being able to carry out evaluation thinking in complex systems and adapting evaluation strategies to changing realities. Being inclusive, collaborative and co-creative: being able to design and implement evaluation frameworks with the variety of stakeholders and beneficiaries involved. Being flexible and able to use of a mix of methods, having a high tolerance for ambiguity and can draw on a variety of qualitative and quantitative evidence, is open to unorthodox types of evidence. Ability to set up the structures, conditions, rituals to create a culture for curiosity, reflection and learning and promote evaluation results and insights from a learning perspective. Understand key principles of systems and complexity theory.
  2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness
  Innovation
  Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Portfolios.
  Required Skills and Experience Education: Experience:
  Required skills:
  Desired skills: Required Language(s): 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 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.
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, International Development or related fields is required OR
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • Minimum of 10 years (with a master’s degree) or 12 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in international finance and development experience including at a senior level.
  • Proven experience with financial modelling and transaction structuring, including loans and guarantees.
  • Proven experience in underwriting, due diligence and structuring processes for bankable projects in developing countries.
  • Experience partnering with the private sector to deliver measurable development outcomes.
  • Experience designing and implementing impact management frameworks, strategic selectivity approaches, and portfolio management tools within development finance institutions.
  • Experience working with UN organizations, and multi-lateral / bilateral financial institutions.
  • Prior experience with multilateral development banks (MDB) is highly desirable, particularly in the design of private sector operations and engagement with MDB trust funds and concessional financing windows.
  • Demonstrated experience advising senior-level strategic donors is desired.
  • Senior level experience at high-level international fora on sustainability issues (e.g., G20, OECD) will be considered a strong advantage.
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Fluency in other official UN languages (e.g., French and Spanish) is desirable.