JOB HIGHLIGHT

This is a unique opportunity to originate and implement innovative and sustainable financing solutions within a global portfolio. The role allows you to shape new financial instruments, influence policy, and drive transformative change across programmatic areas such as health, climate, energy, environment, food, nutrition, and water and sanitation. It offers the chance to blend financial expertise with development goals, engage high-level stakeholders, and contribute to sustainable impact through entrepreneurial design and strategic partnerships.

ABOUT THE GROUP

The Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) provides policy, standards guidance and support in three UNOPS service lines of Project Management, Infrastructure and Financial Management Services (Grant Support and Fund Management). IPMG leads the design and implementation of a project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) system centered around the needs of UNOPS partners, beneficiaries and frontline personnel. IPMG also drives UNOPS efforts to leverage sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure and maximize local capacity through grant support management to achieve sustainable development. Through thought leadership, we aim to position UNOPS with its partners, foster innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development, and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes speeding up the implementation of urgent infrastructure and scaling up infrastructure service delivery, particularly in relation to climate action and energy. Our delivery approach to project management, infrastructure and grant support management prioritizes development needs, empowers institutions and communities, builds partners’ capacity, champions gender equality and social inclusion and reduces environmental impact. IPMG translates policy into practice by providing strategic direction, standards and oversight, while facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity-building for UNOPS teams globally.

JOB SPECIFIC CONTEXT

Under the direct supervision of the Geneva Head of Programme, this role provides expert advisory services to UNOPS Projects, Programmes and hosted entities, developing innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms and return on investment (ROI) instruments primarily for Geneva and WEC portfolio. This role will also be part of UNOPS corporate retainer pool, may support UNOPS offices in other regions, depending on business needs. This role involves navigating the legal, operational, and financial complexities within the UNOPS framework and donor expectations.

UNOPS Corporate Retainer Pool

UNOPS is managing a pool of Corporate Retainers to meet the need for temporary, short-term ad-hoc support to UNOPS business units across the globe in several expertise areas identified by the HQ business units and in consultation with the regional offices. The Corporate Retainer Pool (CRP) covers a wide range of expertise areas. The CRP is coordinated by the Operational Support Unit in the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) however, the Business Unit leading the expertise area supervises each position as relevant.

Retainer positions are not full-time positions. They constitute a contract whereby the Retainer may be requested to provide a specific output/deliverable within a specified period of time, on short notice. When holding a retainer contract, individuals may receive ad hoc requests from the UNOPS project teams or country offices, and the quantity of requests will vary depending on the current needs. UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA. The Individual Contractor may have multiple consultancy contracts with or outside UNOPS, as long as they declare them to the UNOPS Ethics Office. Read more about the ICA retainer modality here.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Innovative and Sustainable Finance Advisor will conduct research, engage relevant stakeholders, assess the feasibility of various financing mechanisms, and provide practical recommendations for establishing a legally, operationally, and financially viable model(s) that aligns with UNOPS mission and donor expectations.

FUNCTIONS / KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

1. Research and Landscape Analysis: Conduct a comprehensive review of innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms, such as but not limited to: venture philanthropy models, accelerator programmes, venture funds, catalytic financing approaches, and blended finance mechanisms relevant to supported programmes.
2. Stakeholder Consultation and Coordination: Consult with relevant UNOPS departments, including the Legal Group, Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG), Finance Group (FG), Procurement Group, and Partnerships and Futures Group, to assess institutional feasibility.
3. Framework Integration: Provide strategic guidance on embedding innovative and/or sustainable financing mechanisms into UNOPS corporate policies, operational strategies, and risk management frameworks.
4. Operational Implementation: Develop comprehensive innovative and/or sustainable finance frameworks and policy recommendations, incorporating technical parameters.
5. Reports and Presentation: Develop executive summaries, presentations, and briefing materials summarizing key findings and recommendations.
6. Other Duties: Ensure gender and social inclusion considerations, and the adoption of sustainable and environmentally responsible practices, are integrated into all aspects of project design and implementation.

SKILLS

Account Management, Acquisitions, Alternative Investments, Creativity, Program Management, Project Management, Public-private Partnerships, Project Scope Management, Strategy and Planning Communication.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Required: Master's degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Economics, Investment or Banking, Law, or Global Development, or equivalent, with 7 years of relevant experience.

Desired: CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), FRM (Financial Risk Management), Specialized Training in blended finance, impact investing, or sustainable finance.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Required: A minimum of 7 years of extensive experience in innovative financing and/or sustainable financing, venture capital, private equity, impact investing, blended finance, development finance, or related fields.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Language: English, Fluent, Required.