Investments and Debt Finance Senior Specialist, Asia and the Pacific

The Investments and Debt Finance Senior Specialist will support the delivery of activities under the EU Sustainable Finance Advisory Hub implemented by UNDP, focusing on sustainable finance instruments such as green and sustainability bonds. The role involves providing technical and analytical support to governments and financial institutions in Asia and the Pacific, contributing to capacity building, knowledge generation, and the design of innovative financing instruments aligned with global sustainable finance initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of UNDP’s thematic debt offering and lead the design and piloting of innovative development bond frameworks in selected countries across the Asia-Pacific region, in close coordination with SFH portfolios, UNDP Country Offices and SFH Regional Advisors.
• Provide tailored technical advice to governments and partners to address country-specific financing needs, with a particular focus on green bonds in collaboration with the EU Sustainable Finance Advisory Hub.
• Ensure key focus and coherence with the European Commission’s Global Green Bond Initiative.
• Contribute to joint EC-UNDP workplans and reporting, promoting alignment with EU sustainable finance frameworks and global standards.
• Provide technical inputs as an implementing partner of EC Sustainable Finance Advisory Hub, coordination with SFH portfolios.
• Prepare donor reports, and contribute to monitoring frameworks, ensuring consistency with regional priorities and global strategies, and UNDP/SFH systems.
• Contribute to UNDP’s broader financing and investment agenda by leveraging networks, fostering partnerships, and identifying opportunities to scale sustainable finance solutions at global and country-levels with a focus on blended finance structures.
• Contribute to the development of methodological tools and guidance related to thematic bonds and debt instruments.
• Provide support to SFH Portfolios, enhancing their application and impact in Asia-Pacific countries.
• Identify capacity building needs and opportunities.
• Ensure appropriate training and other relevant capacity building activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities for the documentation and communication of best practices, programme results, and lessons learned under the project.
• Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in finance, economics, development finance or closely 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.
• A minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in sustainable finance, thematic bond issuance or related areas, is required.
• Proven track record in structuring thematic debt including blue and green bonds in Asia and the Pacific or other financial instruments is required.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing thematic bond frameworks, as well as measuring, evaluating, and reporting on their impact, is required.
• Proven track record of conducting market analyses and preliminary studies for green bond opportunities and/or other investment opportunities, is required.
• Experience in blended finance or other financial instruments for green/sustainable investments would be an asset.
• Familiarity with EU and international best practices for green bond issuance would be an asset.
• Excellent oral and written communications and presentation skills in English are required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
• Supplementary financial certifications (i.e. CFA, CAIA, CPA) would be an asset.

Skills

• Sustainable Finance
• Thematic Bonds
• Debt Instrument Structuring
• Green Bonds
• Blue Bonds
• Thematic Bond Framework Development
• Impact Measurement and Reporting
• Market Analysis
• Investment Opportunity Analysis
• Blended Finance Structuring
• Financial Instruments
• EU Green Bond Best Practices
• Financial Analysis
• Capacity Building
• Technical Advisory
• Knowledge Generation
• Presentation Skills
• English Communication Skills

Languages

English