Finance Specialist

Mid Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Finance & Economy

Overview

Support investment pathways for connectivity in schools and health centers.

You have:

• An Advanced University degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) preferably in Finance, audits, business administration, economics or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) preferably in the related fields with an additional 2 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Finance, and/or financial advisory role in/or to emerging and developing countries is required.
• Experience working in the intersection of development/donor organizations, public finance, and the commercial sector is an asset.
• Experience designing and developing business plans is an asset.
• Experience in the telecommunication infrastructure sector is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organizations. With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

UNOPS Geneva Office is providing support to a wide range of portfolios, including UNEP, UNICEF, UNHCR, and other partners. As of July 2025, the UN Partners Portfolio has signed a UN-to-UN Agreement with UNICEF for the implementation of the GIGA Project, a joint initiative between UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that aims to connect every school to the internet by 2030, bridging the global digital divide and promoting equitable access to education. Under this agreement, UNOPS provides comprehensive operational and administrative support to UNICEF and the GIGA project team, including project management, human resources and recruitment, travel and procurement/financial management services. These services strengthen operational delivery and ensure the efficient and compliant implementation of GIGA’s strategic objectives.

Launched in 2019 as a joint initiative between UNICEF and ITU, Giga has set the ambitious goal to connect every school in the world to the internet. Half of the world’s population has no regular access to the Internet. Millions of children leave school without any digital skills, making it much more difficult for them to thrive and contribute to local and global economies. This has created a digital divide between those who are connected and those who are not, a divide that has become even wider during the Covid-19 pandemic. UNICEF and ITU have therefore joined forces to create Giga, an initiative to connect every school in the world to the Internet and address this new form of inequality.

Giga focuses on connecting schools so that children and young people have access to information, opportunity, and choice. It also uses schools as anchor points for their surrounding communities: if you connect the school, you can also connect local businesses and services. This creates opportunities for service providers to generate revenue from paying users, making connectivity more sustainable. A 2021 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit found that a 10% increase in school connectivity can increase effective years of schooling by 0.6% and increase GDP per capita by 1.1%.

You can read more about Giga’s work at https://giga.global/ and by following us on X/Twitter @Gigaglobal

The Giga Finance team, based in Geneva, plays a key role in mobilizing the capital required to connect schools and health centers around the world to the internet. The Finance Specialist will work at the intersection of development finance and digital infrastructure to unlock sustainable investment pathways for connectivity.

This role will be managed by DNA/Giga to support UNICEF Country Offices and their government partners with designing bankable projects and identifying financing solutions, including through collaboration with development finance institutions, private investors, and public donors.

The Finance Specialist demands collaboration across various Giga teams, Country Engagement, Partnerships and with UNICEF’s 135 country offices, to scale connectivity solutions that deliver long-term impact for children and communities.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Giga Finance Lead, the Finance Specialist will be responsible for:

1- Financial Analysis and the Development of Innovative Financing Mechanisms

Support the design and implementation of innovative financing mechanisms to mobilize capital for school and health connectivity by:

• Identifying and assessing new financial instruments and capital market opportunities aligned with Giga’s objectives to unlock project-level financing
• Contributing to resource mobilization strategies, including donor mapping, and assisting in the creation of compelling investment cases
• Supporting financing workstreams, including instrument structuring, negotiations with IFIs and DFIs, and project pipeline refinement
• Assisting in the design and deployment of blended and innovative financing solutions tailored to digital infrastructure investments

2- Finance Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

Deepen and operationalize Giga’s financial partnerships by strengthening relationships at the multilateral, regional, and national levels through:

• Maintaining a Funding Tracker and Capital Provider database to monitor donor and investor activity in connectivity-related sectors
• Tracking funding flows, commitments, and emerging opportunities from IFIs, development banks, and private/public donors and other relevant capital providers, while supporting country teams in pursuing aligned financing streams
• Monitoring and reviewing IFI-supported portfolios and preparing strategic updates for senior management
• Collaborating with UNICEF’s Public Partnerships Division (PPD) and Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP) to align engagement strategies with donor priorities
• Expanding relationships with key stakeholders, including development banks and institutional investors, to co-develop and advance investment opportunities that align with Giga’s strategic objectives

3- Project-Level Financing Solutions

Support the development of a bankable project pipeline and provide country-level financing assistance by:

• Developing and managing a robust pipeline of eligible connectivity projects in emerging and developing countries
• Building economic and business cases and evaluating connectivity cost estimate scenarios to support investment in digital infrastructure
• Supporting project preparation, including cost estimation, cost-benefit analyses, and financing strategies
• Assisting Country Offices in resource mobilization, and connectivity cost evaluations
• Supporting preparation of project documentation and investment proposals for stakeholder approval

4- Support the commercialization of Giga services into sellable products

Assist the expert in the development and execution of the following:

• Coordinating product positioning and aligning it with market demands to ensure successful adoption.
• Conducting competitive analysis to identify market trends, customer needs, and product differentiation.
• Developing and preparing product launch plans, including timelines, resource allocation, and execution strategies.
• Collaborating with the expert to ensure the seamless execution of the go-to-market strategy.

5- Knowledge Sharing and Event Management

Enhance the visibility and positioning of Giga’s financing efforts through targeted events and knowledge exchange by:

• Coordinating Giga’s participation in key finance and infrastructure events—such as investment forums and donor roundtables—to position school and health connectivity as priority investment areas
• Organizing knowledge-sharing sessions, side events, and stakeholder convenings to share best practices and strengthen partnerships with the finance and development community
• Supporting trainings, webinars, and briefings to update both internal and external stakeholders on Giga’s financing strategy, innovative instruments, and project progress
• Documenting and disseminating lessons learned, best practices, and financing models to inform future strategies
• Supporting regular coordination and review meetings with stakeholders, ensuring knowledge systems are updated and maintained

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education- An Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree of equivalent) preferably in Finance, audits, business administration, economics or a related field is required. - A first-level university degree (Bachelor`s degree or equivalent) preferably in the related fields with an additional 2 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;

b. Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Finance, and/or financial advisory role in/or to emerging and developing countries is required.

• Experience working in the intersection of development/donor organizations, public finance, and the commercial sector is an asset.

• Experience designing and developing business plans is an asset.

• Experience in the telecommunication infrastructure sector is an asset.

• Experience in a UN system agency or organization some of which served in a developing country is considered as an asset.

c. Language requirements :

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement ** Contract level: IICA 2 / ICS 10 Contract duration: Until June 30, 2026, with possiblity if extension subject to availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continued business needs.

** Please note that this position is advertised on behalf of UNICEF. Contract terms and conditions will be in accordance with the partnership agreement signed between UNOPS and UNICEF.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 7 months ago - Updated 2 months ago - Source: jobs.unops.org