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.
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 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 finance
Following a recent restructuring, UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OD) 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 Fund (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. In East and Southern Africa, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) has embarked on a strategic initiative to bridge the financing, capacity and technology gaps for MSMEs. The initiative focuses on unlocking financing for four (4) key last mile segments:
Duties and Responsibilities
The MSME and Fintech Financing Specialist will primarily provide technical expertise to the FinWise project in Uganda – in the field of inclusive finance and fintech, driving novel approaches to cost effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale.
The MSME and Fintech Financing Specialist will work to accelerate the market for innovative digital-led financing of MSMEs, including private sector innovation (financial service providers, digital platform providers, BDS providers, fund managers), MSME digitization as an enabler for business growth and unlocking finance, ecosystem convening and capacity building of key market actors – including industry associations and policy-makers and regulators. Through leading project implementation, the technical specialist will spearhead knowledge generation, learning and thought leadership efforts of the Uganda country team on matters of data-driven MSME financing – and how it applies to major segments of interest like youth financing, women financing, farmer financing, and refugee financing.
This position will be based in the UNCDF Country Office in Kampala, Uganda with regular travel within the country.
1. Serve as the technical subject matter lead to the Uganda FinWise programme – in the field of inclusive MSME finance and fintech and the ability of these novel approaches to cost effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale.
- Take lead in the commissioning and implementing of research, market scoping and assessments to inform project design and implementation, and to assess market impact of its project interventions;
- Design projects, lead pilot and scale implementations of projects on inclusive MSME finance and fintech;
- Provide inputs to technical documents or presentations to private / public sector convening’s (forums), development partners, donors and other stakeholders on matters of inclusive MSME finance and fintech;
- Supports the development and implementation of the programme / project results measurement framework;
- Keep abreast of emerging trends and business models in the region and beyond in the field of inclusive MSME finance and fintech – as part of efforts to benchmark and catalyze growth of the Ugandan market;
- Provide technical expertise to the programme’s fundraising efforts, including drafting of concept notes, funding proposals, and donor presentations;
- Represent the programme on various ecosystem and industry technical working groups, and other fora with the objective of building thought leadership around MSME innovative finance;
- Take lead in the organization of learning and experience-sharing opportunities ecosystem partners and relevant stakeholders, including government officials (policy makers and regulators), private sector players, industry associations, etc.);With the support of the UNCDF’s policy experts, advise the government in creating a more enabling environment for the growth of alternative financing models for MSMEs in Uganda.
2. Manage project portfolio and supervise project team: Supervise a team of project technical analysts that directly oversee projects, including the digital and fintech finance analyst, innovative finance analyst, Ag-finance analyst and the Gender analyst – ensuring achievement of project outreach and impact objectives.
- Oversee the implementation of a portfolio of projects, ensuring they are delivering on expected results, impact, and are on time and on budget;
- Manage and empower the team of technical analysists with technical, investment, communication, and administrative skills;
- Ensure proper staffing, planning, prioritization, provide advice and assistance as required, and ensure compliance with UNCDF policies and procedures related to programme/ project implementation;
- Support drafting of investment memos to be presented to the Project Board and UNCDF Investment Committee;
- Through the project technical analysts, and in collaboration with the results measurement team, ensure the proper monitoring and reporting of project activities and program milestones. This includes quality and timely reporting to donors;
- Manage project implementation related risks, including the development of contingency plans;
- Lead project management meetings with responsible partners, grantees, stakeholders.
3. Leads all technical assistance work towards investees, grantees, responsible parties, ecosystem partners
- Support in the selection process and contracting of the right calibre of investees, grantees, responsible parties – with the aim of delivering on programmatic impact;
- Draft technical terms of reference for consultants to support partners, provide all technical inputs for procurement, drafting TORs and reviewing and evaluating technical proposals;
- Provide technical assistance to a portfolio of companies to improve their market offerings/ value proposition to the programme’s market (supply side), and investment readiness (demand side).
4. Works with the knowledge management, and impact measurement team to capture and disseminate knowledge generated from project implementation
- Generate, facilitate, and disseminate research and information sharing to ensure stakeholders are informed on current trends, best practices, market conditions, and special topics as needed;
- Consolidate knowledge/lessons learned and disseminate good practices;
- Collaborate with key partners and stakeholders for research and development of innovative, cutting-edge strategies and approaches in the field of inclusive digital financing and fintech;
- Conduct workshops and other convenings on innovation in the supply of digital financial products;
- Identify and recommend learning, training, and knowledge-sharing opportunities for staff, partners and key stakeholders;
- Review & respond to partner reports, ensuring partners are reporting accurately on activities/initiatives.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
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
Business Management: Results Based Management
- Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Management: Portfolio Management
- Ability to select, prioritize and control the organisation’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.
Business Management: Partnership 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 processes and policies.
Business Management: Communication
- Ability to 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
Business Management: Monitoring
- Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
Engagement & Effectiveness: Effectiveness
- Project Quality Assurance
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
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Education requirements:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, renewable energy development, technology or a related discipline or related field 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.
Min. years of relevant work experience:
- A minimum of 5 (five) years (with master’s degree) or 7 (seven) years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in designing and implementing programmes or projects related to innovative access to financial services for MSMEs and Fintechs in East and Southern Africa countries.
Required skills:
- Proven experience in structured finance.
- Proven technical knowledge and deep understanding of innovative approaches to effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale.
- Demonstrated expertise in engaging and collaborating with multilateral and bilateral organizations, as well as government bodies, to build partnerships and manage external relations.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
- Expertise in designing and delivering business development support services and technical assistance for private sector growth with a focus on MSMEs and Fintechs.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of gender equity and social inclusion, with the ability to lead investments (grants and loans) and ensure adherence to social and environmental standards.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively lead a diverse technical team and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly and concisely.
Required Language(s):
- Full fluency in written and spoken English is required.
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.
Scam alert
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