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:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
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 SME Trade Finance Facility (STFF) is a multi-country programme designed to address systemic constraints in access to trade finance for small and medium enterprises in developing economies. Funded by the European Union and jointly implanted with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the programme operates across six target countries—Ghana, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Trinidad & Tobago—with the objective of catalysing sustainable trade finance markets for SME through a combination of capacity building, product innovation, and de-risking instruments.
The programme is structured around a phased approach to market development, transitioning from initial grant-supported pilots through to sustainable, market-driven solutions. In this context, the Investment Specialist will provide critical leadership across technical, operational, and strategic components of programme delivery, working closely with Financial Service Providers, Development Finance Institutions, Export Credit Agencies, and other key stakeholders to achieve lasting systemic impact.
The Policy and Regulation Specialist – SME Trade Finance will report to the Global Lead, Investment Climate and Policy Advisory.
More specifically, the Policy and Regulation Specialist – SME Trade Finance will be responsible for the following tasks:
• Provide the overall drive, direction and management of the implementation of programme activities under workstream 1
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of trade finance regulatory frameworks, identifying barriers that limit SME access to trade credit and cross-border financing
• Analyze the impact of Basel III/IV capital requirements, KYC/AML regulations, and correspondent banking de-risking on SME trade finance
• Evaluate national trade policies, foreign exchange controls, and documentary requirements that affect SME participation in trade
• Benchmark regulatory best practices across jurisdictions to identify reform opportunities that could expand SME trade finance access
• Design policy recommendations and regulatory reforms to address SME trade finance gaps, including simplified documentation requirements and risk-based compliance frameworks
• Develop model regulations for innovative trade finance instruments such as movable asset registries, electronic warehouse receipts, and digital trade documentation
• Create policy frameworks for fintech-enabled trade finance solutions including regulatory sandboxes for testing blockchain-based trade platforms
• Draft guidelines for prudential treatment of SME trade finance exposures that balance financial stability with market development objectives
• Lead policy dialogue with central banks, finance ministries, and financial regulatory authorities on SME trade finance reform priorities
• Coordinate multi-stakeholder working groups bringing together regulators, banks, SME associations, and development partners to address systemic barriers
• Participate in regional and international forums on trade finance regulation, including WTO, ICC Banking Commission, and regional development banks
• Build coalitions with industry associations, chambers of commerce, and trade bodies to advocate for SME-friendly trade finance policies
• Provide technical assistance to regulatory authorities in implementing trade finance reforms, including drafting of regulations and operational guidelines
• Develop capacity building programmes for regulators on emerging trade finance products, digital innovations, and international regulatory standards
• Support establishment of trade finance facilitation units within central banks and specialized SME trade finance guarantee schemes
• Design monitoring frameworks to track the impact of regulatory reforms on SME trade finance volumes, pricing, and accessibility
• Produce policy briefs, research papers, and regulatory guidance notes on SME trade finance topics for government and industry stakeholders
• Support development of critical market infrastructure including credit bureaus, collateral registries, and trade information platforms that facilitate SME risk assessment
• Document case studies of successful regulatory reforms and their impact on SME trade finance markets for replication in other jurisdictions
• Contribute to global knowledge products on trade finance regulation, participating in research initiatives with multilateral organizations.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Core Competencies:
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Thematic Area | Name | Definition
Business Direction & Strategy | System Thinking | Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Digital | Digital inclusion | Knowledge of how digital inclusion works, opportunities and challenges for governments and society
Digital | Alternative finance | Ability to identify potential alternative forms of finance and mobilise them for the purpose of addressing development challenges.
Ability to review the skills, capacities, procedures and protocols that are needed to enable new financial mechanisms.
Ability to assess the risks, limitations and implications of using new financial mechanisms.
Set up the processes and structures to design, testing and implement new financial mechanisms. Managing outreach and stakeholder engagement
Business Direction & Strategy | Strategic Thinking | Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNCDF’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
Business Development | Knowledge Generation | Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
Business Management | Partnerships Management | Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Business Management | Portfolio Management | Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
Education:
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
• A minimum of five (5) years (with master's degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible experience in financial sector policy, regulatory reform, or trade policy analysis is required.
Required skills:
• Proven track record of experience leading policy dialogue and providing technical advisory services to financial regulatory authorities (e.g., central banks, financial sector supervisory bodies), trade-related ministries, and government agencies on matters relating to trade finance, financial inclusion, or SME access to finance.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting regulatory assessments, drafting policy recommendations, and supporting the design or implementation of financial sector reforms in developing country contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging and collaborating with multilateral and bilateral organisations, donors, private foundations, and government bodies to build partnerships and manage external relations.
Desired skills:
• Experience in designing or supporting the development of enabling legal and regulatory frameworks for innovative financial instruments, such as movable asset registries, electronic warehouse receipts, or digital trade documentation.
• Proven experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder working groups or policy platforms bringing together regulators, financial institutions, industry associations, and development partners.
• Experience with the policy and regulatory environment for trade and SME finance in the programming countries, including engagement with institutions such as central banks and ministries of trade.
• Experience working in the context of joint-UN programming.
Required Language(s):
• Professional knowledge of French is considered an asset.
Professional Certificates:
Relevant certifications, such as Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or similar, are a plus.
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.
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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