Foundations Advisor

Tiered Approach 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: Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026. Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply. 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. UNCDFs 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. 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, UNOs, 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 main objective of UNCDF is to crowd-in “private capital” alongside ODA (official development assistance) into the developing economies, especially the world’s least developed countries. There is a clear need from member states and philanthropies to work with each other partners to leverage each other’s resources, especially in an era of declining ODA. Additionally, there is a role for the UN to work with philanthropies/foundations as well as their Endowments to be mission aligned, which presents a unique engagement opportunity. The Foundations, Philanthropies, Family Offices Advisor will provide strategic advisory support to senior leadership, including the Executive Secretary, on expanding and deepening UNCDF’s engagement with global philanthropic and private sector actors. The role will contribute to defining UNCDF’s institutional positioning, partnership models, and engagement strategies across key markets. Duties and Responsibilities The incumbent will report to the External Relations Advisor, with overall strategic guidance provided by the Executive Secretary and Chief Investment Officer 1. Strategic Advisory and Institutional Positioning • Lead the development and implementation of UNCDF’s global engagement strategy with foundations, philanthropies, family offices, corporates, and high-net-worth individuals • Define and continuously refine UNCDF’s value proposition and partnership models aligned with institutional priorities • Identify and pursue high-impact partnership opportunities that contribute to resource mobilization objectives 2. Lead high-Level Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management • Lead engagement with key partners and stakeholders, including foundations, family offices, endowments, and private sector actors • Develop and maintain strategic relationships to position UNCDF as a partner of choice • Support and advise senior leadership in high-level engagements, negotiations, and partnership discussions 3. Lead Strategic Market Intelligence and Analysis • Provide ongoing analysis of global philanthropy, family offices and private capital trends to inform UNCDF’s engagement strategy • Identify emerging opportunities across priority regions (including the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East) • Develop and maintain a structured pipeline of partners and opportunities aligned with institutional priorities 4. Resource Mobilization and Partnership Frameworks • Design and advise on innovative partnership models, co-financing mechanisms, and collaboration frameworks • Contribute to strengthening UNCDF’s partnership pipeline and achievement of resource mobilization targets • Establish and monitor performance indicators (KPIs) to track engagement outcomes and partnership impact 5. Promote Strategic Communications and Knowledge Management • Oversee the development of high-quality strategic materials, including proposals, partnership frameworks, and impact narratives • Guide the creation of communication products to support positioning, outreach, and engagement efforts • Contribute to institutional knowledge management and dissemination of best practices in partnership development The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.