INTER-REGIONAL ADVISER IN BLENDED FINANCE AND SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT, New York

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Strategic Engagement and Policy Integration Branch (SEPIB), Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Inter-regional Adviser (IRA) will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Strategic Engagement and Policy Integration Branch and the overall guidance of the Director of Financing for Sustainable Development Office. The Office is mandated to provide policy guidance and support for follow-up to the agreements and commitments reached at the International Conferences on Financing for Development. The work of the Office builds on the mandates of the intergovernmental outcome documents of the Financing for Development process, including the annual Economic and Social Council Forum on Financing for Development Follow-up (FFD Forum) and the 2025 Sevilla Commitment. Information on the Financing for Sustainable Development Office can be found on https://financing.desa.un.org. The Sevilla Commitment provides a global framework for financing for development, with sustainable investment as one of its core elements. To support implementation, the Sevilla Commitment invites countries to catalyse investment through, and bring projects to, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Investment Fair. The Fair was established in 2018 as a global platform for knowledge sharing and partnership building around mobilizing SDG investments. It fosters peer learning, partnership building and investor exchanges to help countries promote more investible, SDG-aligned opportunities and strengthen their ability to prepare and structure projects. The services of the IRA aim to ensure the provision of high-level technical expertise, the transfer of knowledge from global entities to Governments on policy-related issues and development strategies and the formulation, assessment or evaluation of projects and programmes. The incumbent will be expected to advise on complex policy and institutional issues and to strengthen the link between FSDO’s normative and analytical work and country-level capacity development support. Working with governments, development banks, and other relevant stakeholders and financing partners, the IRA on Blended Finance and Sustainable Investment will provide technical advisory services and capacity support to governments in identifying, preparing, packaging, and promoting SDG-aligned investment opportunities, improving their investment readiness and, as appropriate, presenting and bringing these opportunities to the SDG Investment Fair. The incumbent will also provide intellectual and strategic leadership on the further development of the Fair. The IRA is a member of DESA’s IRA Network. The services of the IRA need to comply with intergovernmental guidance on the use of the Regular Programme on Technical Cooperation (RPTC), when appropriate, and with strategies and guidance concerning capacity development activities endorsed by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and supported by the Capacity Development Programme Management Office (CDPMO).

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Branch and the overall guidance of the Director, the incumbent is responsible for the following: Mandatory tasks:

• Provides policy advice online and/or through short-term field missions to Governments and other relevant stakeholders in developing countries upon their request on the promotion of sustainable investment and the implementation of the Sevilla Commitment (A/RES/79/323). This includes demand-driven technical advisory services and capacity support to governments in identifying, preparing, structuring, packaging, and promoting SDG-aligned investment opportunities, improving their investment readiness and, as appropriate, presenting them to the SDG Investment Fair.
• Monitors, studies and analyzes the trends and best practices in sustainable investment, blended finance, project preparation, and related policies, and prepares policy advisory notes to inform governments as well as feed into the intergovernmental process in collaboration with other FSDO branches.
• Provides leadership in the design/redesign of national policies and strategies, upon requests from developing countries, for catalyzing sustainable investment and advancing the implementation of the SDGs, the Sevilla Commitment, and other relevant international commitments, norms and standards.
• Provides leadership in the design of capacity development programmes, projects and activities on investment project preparation and financing at national, regional and global levels and contributes to implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting on these initiatives.
• Provides strategic advice on the objectives, design, and further development of the SDG Investment Fair and related activities, including approaches to project sourcing, investment readiness, investor engagement, and partnership development.
• Provides leadership in the implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.
• Makes substantive contributions to global/regional/sub-regional/national workshops, seminars, colloquia, and other training events, including proposals concerning agenda topics, possible participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Provides leadership in the Department’s resource mobilization strategies, notably as far as extra-budgetary funding is concerned.
• Liaises with relevant professional networks and makes relevant external capacity development resources available to DESA.
• Establishes and nurtures close relationships with stakeholders, both within and outside the UN system, in creating partnerships and an active network in the area of sustainable investment, including private investors and development finance institutions.
• Provides inputs for the normative and advocacy functions of FSDO based on the capacity development expertise, including by translating investment research and lessons from country-level advisory work into strategic advice that can inform follow-up to the Sevilla Commitment and the FFD Forum, in close collaboration with other FSDO branches.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: In general: a) Shows pride in work and achievements; b) demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; c) is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; d) is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; e) shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; f) remains calm in stressful situations. In particular, DESA is looking for staff with the following technical competence: 1) a strong commitment to high-level technical expertise with capacity building in the relevant specialty of SDG-aligned investment, including project and pipeline development, financial structuring, and blended finance; 2) Demonstrated understanding of country capacity building needs and investor requirements towards project investability, including financial viability, due diligence and risk allocation, and understanding of investment banking and project finance practices; 3) Demonstrated ability to convene diverse public and private stakeholders and partnerships in support of financing for sustainable development, including multilateral development banks, other public development banks and development finance institutions, institutional investors and other financing partners; 4) proven ability in preparing robust investment proposals, policy advisory notes, technical guidance, and tools; 5) familiarity with the policies, programmes and activities of potential donors, including member states, UN funds and programmes, global funds, International Financial Institutions etc.; 6) familiarity with concepts and approaches related to capacity development and conversant with Result-based Budgeting/Result-based Management (RBB/RBM) approaches and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) approaches; 7) proven ability to be a broker of knowledge, translating investment research and transaction experience into strategic advice aligned with DESA’s normative and analytical mandates; 8) proven ability in building partnerships with national institutions and other organizations involved in the financing for development process; 9) proven ability in mobilizing resources; 10) taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Planning and Organizing: a) Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; b) identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; c) allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; d) foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; e) monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; f) uses time efficiently.
• Client Orientation: a) Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; b) establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; c) identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; d) monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; e) keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; f) meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Managerial Competencies

• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, public administration, law, sustainable development or related field is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, policy formulation, investment, application of economic principles in development programmes or related area is required.

At least five (5) years of professional experience in advisory work with national government institutions, such as ministries of finance, planning or relevant sectoral ministries, or investment promotion agencies, in developing countries, in the areas of sustainable investment project preparation, financial structuring, or mobilization of public and private finance, is required.

Experience in the design and delivery of technical cooperation or capacity development projects or programmes for national government institutions in developing countries is required.

Experience in structuring sustainable investment projects or financings through to financial close, for example in investment banking, project finance or transaction advisory roles, or with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions or private investors, is desirable.

Experience in designing blended finance structures or risk-mitigation instruments to mobilize private capital for sustainable investment is desirable.

Experience in leading the strategic development of an investment platform, facility or programme is desirable.

Experience in mobilizing extrabudgetary or donor funding for technical cooperation or capacity development projects in the United Nations system or comparable international organizations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The appointment against this position is limited to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. This Job Opening refers to a specialized interregional adviser position. External candidates selected for this position will be subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (c) and 2.4 of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on the Administration of appointments. The initial appointment is for one year. Annual renewal of appointment is subject to endorsement by an internal Departmental Panel on the continued need for the technical specialty depending on updates to DESA’s priorities in the area of capacity development, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. The maximum duration of the assignment as IRA is three years. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position without a lien to their parent position. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.

The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship.