Job Description

Background Information – Technical Services Unit (TSU)

The Technical Services Unit (TSU), based in Nairobi, engages in multidisciplinary infrastructure design and design review, assessments, and advisory work for UNOPS projects. The team currently comprises approximately 18 permanent staff and over 60 retainers (consultants) personnel, including built environment professionals, environmental and social specialists, monitoring and evaluation experts, and other niche technical experts. TSU has recently been tasked with securing personnel to support the important work of the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF).

Background Information – The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF)

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) is a global fund dedicated to achieving access to adequate and equitable sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health for all, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations. Capital M is SHF’s global initiative to build and strengthen the menstrual health (MH) market, fostering sustainable, market-based solutions that provide access to safe, quality, affordable menstrual products and empower women and girls across low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). By doing this, SHF contributes to a wide range of SDGs related to education, health, gender equality, the environment and economic growth.

To achieve this, SHF works with national and local governments, the private sector, investors and financiers and other market stakeholders to improve the enabling environment, strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and facilitate access to finance to bring market-based approaches to scale. For a market segment that falls within women’s health and -hygiene, improving access to finance is critical. Enterprises in this space are structurally underfunded, posing a significant barrier to scale. SHF’s presence is critical to bridge the financing and investment gap, working with partners to showcase the market potential, derisk financing and investment in MH enterprises and connect public and private funders, financiers and investors to a growing pipeline of investable opportunities.

Our approach supports an Africa-led ecosystem for access to finance and investment, where we collaborate with existing public and private funders, financiers and investors, connecting them to enterprises with novel technologies and business models. We focus on enterprises with the potential to scale product categories’ availability at national and regional level, supporting efforts to maximize efficiency and minimise costs for low-income users by leveraging economies of scale. This ultimately contributes to structurally improving market access and significantly reducing environmental impacts. To achieve this, we believe there is an important role for south-to-south knowledge transfer and investment to accelerate market development.

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) is a project of UNOPS.

Role of the Finance Specialist (Catalytic Finance)

Reporting to the TSU Manager and briefed by the SHF Finance Advisor, and working closely with the Menstrual Health (MH) Markets Specialist and the MH Country Markets Specialist, as well as SHF Technical/Country colleagues as needed, the role will support SHF’s goal of advancing country and regional level pipeline opportunities for catalytic financing in the menstrual health (MH) market by identifying and analysing high-impact enterprises and strategic partners to unlock additional investment.

The role of the Finance Specialist (Catalytic Finance) will be to assist the SHF technical team with scoping of potential pipeline opportunities/targets (in particular enterprises in a first step) and partners for catalytic financing in SHF’s priority countries (with an initial focus on Eastern and Southern Africa) by drawing on relevant experience in the private sector, impact investing and/or development finance space.

The Finance Specialist (Catalytic Finance) will help map out key private sector players, potential SHF/Capital Markets partners, investors and other relevant organisations in the market. The role also includes meeting with enterprises and potential partners to explore opportunities, understand challenges and assess financing needs - supporting strategy and efforts to unlock more investment through catalytic finance.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Summary of functions:

The Catalytic Finance Specialist will:

Support the scoping of pipeline opportunities/targets (in particular enterprises in a first step) and partners for providing catalytic financing (see overview below) including gaps and needs for enhancement in SHF’s priority countries (with an initial focus on East Africa).
In collaboration with the technical team, support the identification and development of approaches for catalysing pipeline targets with identified partners.
The specific geographic focus will be discussed and agreed at the beginning of the assignment.

2. Core responsibilities:

The key deliverables will include the following (detailed work packages will be discussed and agreed with the technical team during onboarding):

Work plan agreed with the hiring manager and technical team.
Desk review of existing documentation, SHF work and intelligence in this area, including SHF’s MH Market Maturity Assessment Tool as a starting point for further analysis.
Scoping support for identifying pipeline opportunities/targets and partners for catalytic financing in the below areas (including potential new programmes) covering gaps, needs and scaling opportunities, as well as identifying barriers or limitations that prevent partners from engaging in MH markets:
- Enterprises (private sector) active in the MH product supply chain (including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, e-commerce, etc.) - research and stakeholder interviews should cover (depending on data availability): enterprise development stage (investment readiness/bankability); geographic presence; strategy and business model; market and competition; financial KPIs; fundraising status and (blended) financing needs, etc.
- Incubation & acceleration programmes that support enterprises in the MH value chain.
- Local financial institutions/intermediaries for on-lending programmes, with either an existing sector related programme or an interest in developing such programmes (to incentivise local currency financing (loans) for market-based MH solutions).
- Blended impact investment funds (regional/global scope) in related sectors (including potential future funds/facilities) and relevant investors (including DFIs, impact investors etc.) more broadly to analyse investment criteria, priorities, challenges and opportunities.
Structuring and validation support building on the mapping described above by conducting comprehensive stakeholder engagement to inform suitable approaches, structures and instruments to catalyse market-based MH solutions and identify the most suitable partners to implement these.
Support the preparation of an overview of in-country pipeline opportunities/targets, partners and most suitable contributions (TA and/or financing) in the form of a database (updated on a regular basis).
Building on the insights from finance and investment stakeholders, support in informing an engagement strategy and develop content for Capital M to engage with these partners.
Where relevant, represent SHF at selected sector conferences/events to support the network expansion of potential pipeline targets and partners and coordinate with the wider SHF team for further opportunities besides supporting the SHF technical team on related workstreams as needed.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in development finance, corporate finance, economics, business administration, international development or a related field is required.
A Bachelor’s degree in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years work experience in the private sector/development finance/corporate finance related area is required.
Experience in programme financing (related to development finance/impact investing in LMIC) is required.
Experience in working in menstrual health (MH) related to markets and value chain concepts from the perspective of the industry, enterprises, investors and/or development finance actors is desirable.
Knowledge of regional (East Africa) sector specific enterprise environment and financial actors is desirable.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English is required
Proficiency in French is desirable
Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement, IICA2 (ICS-10)
Contract duration: One year renewable, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Retainer positions are not full-time positions. A retainer contract is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently. The individual contractor agreement on retainer basis will specify a “unit price” per day worked. For budgetary purposes, a monetary cap will be determined when the contract is awarded and issued. Please note that the retainer contract will not provide for a minimum, and payment will be made only after completion of work.

As per UNOPS policy, in duty stations where the NPO (National Professional Officer) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a home-based contract must be issued as a Local ICA Specialist position.

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
This is a homebased position restricted to candidates who are residents of, or legally authorised to work in East African countries.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
It may be the responsibility of the selected candidate to make arrangements, to a standard deemed acceptable by UNOPS, for a secure internet connection, laptop and or equipment necessary for work(as defined by UNOPS).