Remote UN Opportunity: UNDP Seeks SME Trade Finance Investment Specialist (IPSA-10) for 2026

Overview

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), part of the UNDP system, is recruiting an Investment Specialist for SME Trade Finance (IPSA-10). The post is home-based and full-time under a one-year International Personnel Service Agreement, and is open to internal and external candidates. UNCDF increases access to capital and investment in developing countries, especially Least Developed Countries, using grants, loans, guarantees and blended finance. The role belongs to the SME Trade Finance Facility, a multi-country initiative funded by the European Union and implemented with the International Trade Centre, which works in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen trade finance markets through capacity building, product innovation, risk sharing and investment solutions for small and medium enterprises.

Reporting to the Regional Investment Specialist for East and Southern Africa and Arab States, the specialist provides technical, investment and programme leadership for the Trade Finance Innovation workstream. Duties include leading SME trade finance activities, helping financial institutions improve services, developing SME readiness programmes on documentation, compliance and financial management, promoting digital trade finance, assessing SME creditworthiness and structuring products such as letters of credit, supply chain financing, invoice discounting and receivables financing. The specialist also designs blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms, builds partnerships with banks, development finance institutions, export credit agencies, fintechs, ministries and SME associations, and manages budgets, portfolio monitoring, impact measurement, donor reporting and resource mobilisation.

Requirements

Applicants need a master's degree in finance, banking, economics, development studies, business administration or a related field with at least five years of experience, or a bachelor's degree with at least seven years. They should have at least five years in trade finance, at least three years managing SME finance projects and experience working with financial institutions, regulators, governments and development partners. Preferred experience includes SME entrepreneurship programmes, startup financing, EU-funded projects, joint UN programmes and certifications such as CTFP or CFA. Fluent English is required and professional French is an asset.

Key dates

The application deadline is 6 August 2026.