Investment Specialist – SME Trade Finance, IPSA10, 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 SME Trade Finance Facility (STFF) is a multi-country programme designed to address systemic constraints in access to trade finance for small and medium enterprises in developing economies. Funded by the European Union and jointly implanted with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the programme operates across six target countries—Ghana, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Trinidad & Tobago—with the objective of catalysing sustainable trade finance markets for SME through a combination of capacity building, product innovation, and de-risking instruments.
The programme is structured around a phased approach to market development, transitioning from initial grant-supported pilots through to sustainable, market-driven solutions. In this context, the Investment Specialist will provide critical leadership across technical, operational, and strategic components of programme delivery, working closely with Financial Service Providers, Development Finance Institutions, Export Credit Agencies, and other key stakeholders to achieve lasting systemic impact.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Investment Specialist – SME Trade Finance will report to the Regional Investment Specialist – East and Southern Africa and Arab States Region.

The role of Investment Specialist – SME Trade Finance combines technical and investment functions and will provide overall direction for the programme’s Trade Finance Innovation workstream. The Investment Specialist will build and maintain relationships with commercial banks, export credit agencies, development finance partners, and supply chain anchors, while coordinating with export promotion agencies and SME associations to develop a robust pipeline of opportunities. The position carries responsibility for portfolio monitoring and impact measurement, tracking both financial performance and developmental outcomes including SME job creation and export value growth. Additionally, the Investment Specialist will serve as the Programme Manager, providing programme oversight, leading donor engagement and resource mobilisation efforts, and representing the programme in high-level forums on SME trade finance.

The Investment Specialist – SME Trade Finance will be responsible for the following tasks:

1.) Market Development & Technical Assistance

• Provide the overall drive, direction and management of the implementation of programme activities under the Trade Finance Innovation workstream

• Provide capacity building support to local financial institutions on SME trade finance best practices and risk management

• Develop trade finance readiness programs for SMEs including training on documentation, compliance, and financial management

• Support digitalization initiatives in trade finance including adoption of electronic documents, blockchain solutions, and online platforms

• Contribute to policy dialogue on trade finance gaps and regulatory reforms needed to improve SME access to trade credit

2.) Trade Finance Investment Underwriting & Due Diligence

• Conduct comprehensive financial and operational due diligence on SME trade finance opportunities, including assessment of working capital needs, cash conversion cycles, and trade flow patterns

• Evaluate creditworthiness of SME borrowers and their trading partners, analyzing transaction history, payment terms, and counterparty risks

• Structure and underwrite trade finance instruments including letters of credit, supply chain financing, invoice discounting, and receivables financing facilities

• Assess sector-specific trade risks including commodity price volatility, foreign exchange exposure, and cross-border regulatory compliance

3.) Trade Finance Product Structuring & Innovation

• Design and structure blended finance solutions combining grants, guarantees, and commercial capital to de-risk SME trade finance transactions

• Develop innovative trade finance products tailored to SME needs, including pre-export financing, warehouse receipt financing, and factoring solutions

• Create risk-sharing mechanisms with local financial institutions, export credit agencies, and development finance partners to expand SME access to trade finance

• Structure syndicated trade finance facilities and club deals to mobilize larger capital pools for SME trade corridors

4.) SME Partner & Stakeholder Coordination

• Build and maintain relationships with commercial banks, trade finance institutions, and fintech platforms serving the SME trade finance market

• Coordinate with export promotion agencies, chambers of commerce, and SME associations to identify pipeline opportunities

• Engage with supply chain anchors (large corporates) to develop supplier and distributor financing programs for their SME partners

• Collaborate with trade facilitation organizations and customs authorities to streamline trade finance processes

5.) Portfolio Monitoring & Trade Impact Measurement

• Monitor trade finance portfolio performance including utilization rates, default rates, and trade volume growth metrics

• Track developmental impact indicators such as SME job creation, export value growth, and market access improvements

• Implement early warning systems for trade finance exposures including monitoring of shipping documents, commodity prices, and payment delays

• Prepare quarterly portfolio reports highlighting trade finance trends, SME success stories, and lessons learned

6.) Programme Management & Strategic Leadership

• Act as Programme Manager, providing programme oversight including budget management, strategic planning, and operational risk mitigation across the SME trade finance portfolio

• Lead donor engagement and resource mobilization efforts, managing relationships with development partners (ADB, World Bank, IFC, IMF) and preparing donor reports to secure additional funding for trade finance initiatives

• Oversee programme monitoring, evaluation and learning activities, ensuring alignment with UNCDF's Gender Equality Strategy and integration with national development frameworks and UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Participate in high-level forums on SME trade finance, providing technical leadership on blended finance approaches and advising senior management on business development opportunities in the trade finance sector

7) Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing

• Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training and other relevant capacity building activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia. Lead workshops with senior level officials and stakeholders.

• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for the documentation and communication of best practices, programme results, and lessons learned under the project.

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

Competencies

Please refer to the competency framework site for the entire list of competencies and further explanations.

Core

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.

Thematic Area Name Definition

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 Digital Digital inclusion • Knowledge of how digital inclusion works, opportunities and challenges for governments and society Digital Alternative finance • Ability to identify potential alternative forms of finance and mobilise them for the purpose of addressing development challenges.• Ability to review the skills, capacities, procedures and protocols that are needed to enable new financial mechanisms.• Ability to assess the risks, limitations and implications of using new financial mechanisms.• Set up the processes and structures to design, testing and implement new financial mechanisms. Managing outreach and stakeholder engagement Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking • Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’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 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. Business Management Partnerships Management • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNCDF strategy and policies. Business Management Portfolio Management • Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advance university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance, Banking, Economics, Social or Development Studies, Business Administration, or a related field is required. Or

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years (with master’s Degree) or 7 years (with bachelor's degree) in Trade Finance is required.

Required skills

• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in project management in the context of SME finance is required.

• Proven track record of working in international development projects with financial service providers (e.g. commercial and/or development banks, export credit agencies), ministries (e.g. for trade and commerce) and regulators (e.g. central banks) is required.

• Demonstrated experience in engaging and collaborating with multilateral and bilateral organizations, donors, private foundations, and government bodies to build partnerships and manage external relations is required.

Desired skills

• Proven experience in collaborating with SME entrepreneurship incubation and/or acceleration programmes is desired.

• Experience and expert knowledge of key challenges and opportunities in financing SMEs and technology startups is desired.

• Familiarity with the policy and regulatory environment for trade and SME finance in the programming countries, including engagement with institutions such as Central Banks and Ministries of Trade is desired.

• Experience working on EU–funded projects, with a clear understanding of EU reporting requirements and compliance standards is desired.

• Experience working in the context of joint-UN programming is desired.

• Experience and knowledge of UNCDF/UNDP’s corporate policies, operational processes, and programme frameworks is desired.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

• Professional knowledge of French is considered an asset.

Professional Certificates

Relevant certifications, such as Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or similar, are a plus.

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

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