Overview
The Investment Officer will be responsible for originating, assessing, structuring, and monitoring investment processes to improve the well-being of poor households and micro-entrepreneurs by increasing access to formal financial services.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the identification, sourcing and management of a high-quality transaction pipeline.
- Conduct preliminary screening of investment opportunities and prepare pre-assessment documentation.
- Lead and/or coordinate due diligence on shortlisted counterparties and transactions.
- Develop, validate and refine financial models and credit analyses.
- Identify key risks and propose practical mitigation measures.
- Prepare high-quality investment memos and recommendations.
- Lead baseline data collection and analysis of the investment landscape.
- Design and manage competitive Calls for Proposals / Expressions of Interest (EOI).
- Coordinate outreach and dissemination to maximize market coverage.
- Manage the end-to-end selection workflow.
- Conduct market assessments of financial institutions.
- Analyze FI products and operating practices.
- Develop and maintain an FI mapping/database and a shortlist of priority FI partners.
- Recommend partnership modalities and fit-for-purpose financial arrangements.
- Support FI engagement and partnership development.
- Design and structure catalytic/blended finance solutions.
- Support negotiations on investment terms and agreements.
- Ensure investment structures incorporate practical monitoring, reporting and compliance requirements.
- Develop partnerships and support the development of UNCDF's investment portfolio.
- Coordinate closely with UNCDF and partner technical teams.
- Translate due diligence findings into clear technical workstream needs.
- Participate in joint planning/review sessions with technical teams and partners.
- Support the development and application of monitoring frameworks.
- Review and analyze investee/FI reporting.
- Support onsite due diligence, verification and monitoring missions.
- Monitor and control investment transactions and report results.
- Capitalize on successes and achievements and contribute to UNCDF's institutional communications.
- Contribute to internal advisory support and knowledge sharing.
- Support resource mobilization and partner engagement activities.
- Provide surge support to other programmes/initiatives.
- Participate in forums and working groups related to the thematic area of investment.
Required Experience
- 7 years of relevant experience.
- Experience working on development finance, energy finance (including oil and gas or renewable energy), or at least experience in emerging market financing and investments in LDCs.
- Experience in providing portfolio de-risking to lending institutions.
- Experience in underwriting grants, debt, or guarantees.
- Experience with UNCDF/UNDP rules and procedures.
- Experience working with Global Funds, IFIs, UNCDF and/or another UN entity.
- Experience in emerging market financing and investments seeking to reduce drivers of conflicts, fragility and environmental degradation.
- Experience in MSME lending, including credit appraisal and evaluation, financial analysis, financial modeling and forecasting, and loan portfolio management.
- Familiarity with the policy and regulatory environment for emerging market financing and investments in the DRC, including engagement with institutions such as relevant major banks and the Ministry of Finance, is highly desired.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or relevant related field is required.
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) diploma, ACCA, CPA, PMP, or similar, is a distinct advantage.
