Innovation Specialist

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Job Description

Under the direction of the Innovation Manager, the Innovation Specialist will take a strategic and project management function in the PFP’s Innovative and Alternative Finance for Children unit, as it relates to the positioning of PFP IF4C and the development and implementation of innovative finance frameworks and initiatives. The objective of the PFP IF4C Unit is to enable the use of financial instruments and financial frameworks to help accelerate results for children with the private sector.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Development of Financial Models, Structures and Concepts:

Analyze UNICEF’s portfolio and existing innovative finance mechanisms to identify potential innovative finance opportunities with the private sector.
Support the initiation, design, and implementation of innovative financing solutions across the board (including sovereign debt, impact investing and climate risk financing).
Formulate business analyses of financial markets and trends, including research on key internal and external risks and associated mitigation strategies.
Conduct assessments and feasibility analyses of prospective innovative finance instruments to be deployed.
Working closely with the Innovative Finance Hub in Finland on the child-lens impact investing framework and its adoption.
Document strategic decisions and operational processes to ensure transparency and facilitate future initiatives.
Provide inputs, content and overall support for the IF4C Training Programme.

Planning and Project management:

Project management and coordination to ensure that the PFP IF4C team’s work plan and key deliverables are met effectively and on time.
Collaborate with UNICEF’s PRIME team to integrate planning, risk management, and governance aspects into the team’s work.
Maintain robust tracking and reporting mechanisms to monitor progress against objectives and deliverables.

Partnerships and engagement:

Support with technical inputs as needed, the development and management of partnerships with private sector entities, donors, and other stakeholders to drive innovative financing initiatives.
Work closely with the Innovation Officer to produce high-quality, audience-specific content for internal and external positioning, fundraising proposals, and promotional materials.
Draft and curate content for the IF4C newsletter, impact reports, and other communication channels to showcase achievements and build visibility for innovative financing efforts.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Education:

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in one of the following fields is required: International development, finance, economics, public or business administration, law or closely related fields.
Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field combined with (2) additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years of professional work experience in development, innovative finance, ESG/impact investing, project management, investment banking, private banking, management consulting, risk and market analysis, is required.
Experience working in innovative finance or related fields, including a solid understanding of the innovative finance landscape, is an asset.
Prior experience in structuring innovative finance products (such as sustainability-linked bonds, outcome-based financing, climate risk financing and debt swaps) is an asset.
Experience in partnership building and capital resource mobilization is an asset.
Experience producing investment cases, communication and advocacy materials is an asset.
Ability to work across multiple projects, with multiple stakeholders and moving deadlines is an asset.
UN/UNICEF experience is an asset.
Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is an asset.

Language Requirements: