Energy Finance Specialist (Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants)

Energy Finance Specialist (Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants)

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Job Details

• Vacancy Type: International Personnel Service Agreement
• Practice Area: Nature, Climate and Energy
• Bureau: Bureau for Policy and Programme Support
• Contract Duration: 1 Year
• Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree – 7 years experience OR Bachelor’s Degree – 9 years experience
• Required Language: English
• Locations: Rome, Italy
• Grade: IPSA-11
• Posting Date: 11/04/2025, 12:28 PM
• Apply Before: 11/19/2025, 04:59 AM

Background

UNDP is the Knowledge Frontier Organization for Sustainable Development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work, carried out at HQ, regional, and country office levels, forms a continuum of deep local knowledge and cutting‑edge global perspectives and advocacy. The Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition (the “UNDP Rome Centre”) is the key platform for the strategic engagement between UNDP and the Italian Government, focusing on climate finance, youth engagement, and energy for development.

Key programmes include:

• PISTA – a climate finance mobilization facility aimed at narrowing the gap between available and needed finance for developing economies.
• Youth4Climate – supports youth-led climate action and capacity development.
• Energy For Growth in Africa – promotes access to sustainable energy and mobilizes public and private capital for clean‑energy projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Finance Specialist will support all energy finance activities of the Rome Centre, focusing on mobilizing international investments for the energy project pipeline.

Financial Structuring and Investment Mobilization

• Develop structured financing solutions for clean energy projects, such as blended finance, guarantees, and local currency facilities.
• Engage DFIs, international banks, and climate finance facilities to mobilize resources.
• Draft financing proposals and develop risk mitigation strategies to enable capital flow into high‑impact projects.
• Coordinate co‑financing opportunities with donor‐supported instruments and guarantee mechanisms.

Partnerships With Financial Institutions

• Develop relationships with MDBs and DFIs such as AfDB, EIB, CDP, and other international investors operating in Africa.
• Evaluate new partnership opportunities and build new relationships aligned with the Centre’s strategy.
• Implement structured engagement tailored to different financier types.

Project Origination And Knowledge Sharing

• Provide financial expertise to shape a bankable project pipeline from UNDP Country Offices.
• Evaluate financial models, cost structures, and return profiles for strategic alignment.
• Support the building of financial expertise across the energy finance team.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing initiatives within the team and with UNDP country offices.

Market Intelligence And Advisory

• Track investment trends, investor appetite, and financial innovation across the African energy landscape.
• Advise leadership on strategic capital deployment and financing strategies.

Institutional Arrangement

• Under the supervision of the Energy Finance Team Lead, develop structured financing solutions for clean energy projects and engage with potential investors.
• Coordinate co‑financing among investors and donors.
• Support focal points in UNDP country offices with financial expertise to shape the project pipeline and secure investment.
• Co‑develop and continuously improve the energy project support infrastructure of the Rome Centre.

Competencies

• Achieve Results – Set and align challenging objectives for multiple projects, achieving lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively – Proactively mitigate risks and develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously – Create opportunities to expand horizons and diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility – Initiate and champion change, managing multiple competing demands.
• Act with Determination – Think beyond immediate barriers to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner – Navigate complex landscapes, champion inter‑agency collaboration.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion – Appreciate benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Education and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in finance, business administration, economics, sustainable development, or related field – OR
• First‑level university degree (Bachelor’s) in the same fields with an additional two years of qualifying experience (considered in lieu of an advanced degree).

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years (with Master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of international working experience in banking, economics, development finance, investment management, or investment coordination.

Required Skills

• Experience conducting financial analysis.
• Experience contributing to investment decisions.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, including drafting reports and investment materials.
• Experience working in a developing country context.

Desired Skills

• Experience structuring/deploying innovative financial instruments such as guarantees, risk sharing facilities, local currency facilities, structured equity, or other instruments.
• Experience working with multilateral or international financial institutions (e.g., Bank Group, AfDB, IDB, EIB, or bilateral DFIs).
• Experience in complex transactions in Africa.
• Experience in loan syndications.
• Project management experience.

Required Language(s)

• High level proficiency in spoken and written English.

Equal Opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and encourages 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.

Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse of Authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, or abuse of authority. All selected candidates therefore undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to Select Multiple Candidates

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.

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