Overview
The Investment Specialist will lead investment-related activities, assess opportunities, liaise with UN-partner agencies, and manage financial instruments to drive reduced deforestation through investments in clean energy technologies and solutions in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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.
- Coordinate outreach and dissemination to maximize market coverage.
- Manage the end-to-end selection workflow for Expressions of Interest/Calls for Proposals.
- Produce EOI/CFP evaluation reports.
- 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 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 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.
- Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
Required Experience
- A minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in development finance and energy finance (including oil and gas or renewable energy), in DRC.
- Experience in emerging market financing and investments in DRC.
- Experience in providing portfolio de-risking to lending institutions.
- Experience in underwriting grants, debt, or guarantees.
Qualifications
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or relevant 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.
