Foundations, Philanthropies and Private Sector Specialist

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Background
General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDF’s vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.
Following a recent restructuring, 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.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Strategic Partnership Development with Foundations, Private Sector and HNI
Lead ongoing global market assessments of potential partners, with a focus on emerging philanthropic centers.
Lead on the ongoing development, testing and pitching of partnership models and frameworks (e.g., joint initiatives, co-funding, strategic alliances) that are suited for each market.
Regularly define and refine the strategic offerings to be presented to each target entity, while identifying gaps in the current UNCDF offer and working with teams across the organization to close those gaps.
Establish and maintain a clear timeframe for outreach and partnership development, ensuring alignment with resource mobilization goals and success criteria.
Develop and update pitches and proposals tailored to the needs and interests of targeted philanthropies, corporates, and HNIs.
Lead on the development of strategic documents, including impact reports, value propositions, and partnership models, to showcase UNCDF’s strengths and initiatives.
Support the continuous development of case studies, testimonials, and success stories that highlight successful partnerships and their impact on UNCDF’s mission.
2. Relationship Management
Lead ongoing intelligence gathering on key potential partners, and regularly develop and refine customized outreach strategies for each region and partner type.
Lead outreach campaigns aimed at initiating conversations, fostering interest, and creating formal engagement pathways with UNCDF.
Work with wider teams to develop tailored content and materials for outreach efforts, including concept notes, pitch decks, and strategic presentations.
Identify and cultivate partnerships with networks that can drive scaled access to the private sector.
Organize and facilitate networking and other face to face opportunities, such as roundtables and webinars focused on fostering dialogue between UNCDF and potential partners – in the USA, Europe and in emerging markets such as India, Singapore, and the UAE.
Collaborate with UNCDF Goodwill Ambassadors to co-create pitch materials and provide other necessary materials on an ad hoc basis.
3. Analysis, Planning and Positioning
Lead ongoing regional intelligence updates to position UNCDF for resource mobilization beyond the USA and Europe, focusing on key regions such as:
India: Continuously analyze key philanthropic drivers, sectoral focuses, HNI giving patterns, and emerging corporate giving trends.
Singapore: Identify and track strategic opportunities in the region’s growing focus on impact investing and philanthropic networks.
UAE: Explore and assess opportunities linked to government-supported philanthropic initiatives and emerging family foundations.
Evaluate the regulatory, cultural, and economic conditions that continuously impact private sector engagement in these regions.
Map out existing partnerships in each region and consistently identify potential new partners aligned with UNCDF’s goals.
Establish and update key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress against goals, including resource mobilization targets, engagement levels, and partnerships secured.
Develop and maintain a pipeline framework for tracking and reporting progress against established success criteria.
4. Corporate outreach, partnership efforts and knowledge management
Contribute on ad hoc basis to outreach, partnership and other engagement opportunities as they arise.
Contribute on ad hoc basis to knowledge management opportunities as they arise.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3
Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3
Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
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.
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Education requirements
Master’s degree in economics, finance or related area of study. First-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience.
Min. years of relevant work experience
Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree or equivalent) or 9 years with first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Required skills
Experienced in engaging with philanthropies, endowments and foundations including experience of creating outreach and communication strategy;
Experienced in branding/rebranding of legacy institutions as well as business development/resource mobilization;
Demonstrated experience in excellent analytical, communication, writing and presentation skills;
Experienced in working directly with and supporting multilateral institutions.
Desired skills
Experienced creating branding elements targeted for philanthropies, investors, high-net wealth individuals and family foundations;
Management or project experience in the UN, World