Impact Measurement Verification and Learning Manager (IPSA12) Home-Based UNCDF [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

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.

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.    

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:

    •    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.

Core Competencies:

• 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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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