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. 

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.  From 2026 onwards, UNCDF’s work will be focused on three priority capabilities, including:

  • Micro- and Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) Finance
  • Subnational Finance 
  • Digital Finance

Following a recent restructuring, 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. 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 the Executive Board of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and performs the function of the Executive Board of UNCDF.

UNCDF in the Pacific

UNCDF has been active in the Pacific region since 2008. From 2008 to 2020, it partnered with UNDP to implement the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP). This program played a pivotal role in transforming the financial services market, enabling nearly 3 million Pacific Islanders to access financial services. PFIP's success positioned UNCDF as a leading agency with an extensive network and deep expertise in financial services, digital financial solutions, and digital products. Today, UNCDF’s flagship programs in the Pacific include:

  • Pacific Digital Economy Programme (PDEP): Implemented with UNCTAD and UNDP, PDEP aims to foster inclusive digital economies in the Pacific, addressing the impacts of COVID-19 while leveraging its catalytic potential.
  • Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme: Implemented with UNDP, this program enhances financial preparedness and resilience among Pacific Islanders in the face of climate change and natural hazards.

UNCDF’s regional portfolio emphasizes the use of blended finance instruments to reduce upfront capital requirements and mitigate investment risks for the private sector. For instance, UNCDF supports coral reef preservation in Fiji and PNG through its partnership with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs and the issuance of the Blue Bond in Fiji, in collaboration with UNDP.

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating UNCDF’s work in Tonga. UNCDF has implemented its new strategy to the Pacific context with two complementary programme initiatives that are part of a bigger portfolio approach to implement UNCDF’s strategy “Leaving no one behind in the digital era” in the Pacific region. These two programmes are:

  • The Pacific Digital Economy Programme (PDEP); and
  • The Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP),

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for activities, outputs, and outcomes under both PDEP and PICAP progammes in the country. This involves working closely with UNCDF partners, from the government ministries and agencies, the private sector, including but not limited to commercial banks, mobile network operators, fintechs, insurance companies, remittance service providers etc., as well as development partners, such as other UN Agencies, donor organizations and NGO’s

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Coordinator will be based in Nukualofa, Tonga, and will work in close collaboration with the Regional Technical and Support Team based in Suva, Fiji. The Project Coordinator will report directly to the Programme Manager of the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP), with a matrixed reporting line to the Programme Manager of the Pacific Digital Economy Programme (PDEP).

Under the supervision of the UNCDF Programme Managers of the two programmes, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for structuring and coordinating UNCDF’s engagement in the country, ensuring effective implementation of programme activities, strategic partnerships, and knowledge sharing. 

The key responsibilities and tasks will include:

1. Coordinate effective programme planning and implementation

  • Coordinate the implementation of UNCDF’s programme activities in the country, ensuring that annual work plans, quality assurance measures, and expected outputs are achieved.
  • Support the development and management of a pipeline of innovative projects and initiatives using UNCDF’s technical assistance facilities and blended finance instruments (e.g., grants, loans, guarantees).
  • Supervise and manage volunteers, interns, and consultants engaged under specific projects, providing guidance and oversight to ensure high-quality outputs.
  • Facilitate country visits of regional technical specialists, consultants, and other colleagues by coordinating partner engagement and organizing meetings.

2. Establish partnerships, policy support, and resource mobilization

  • Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, private sector actors, and development partners to advance UNCDF’s strategic objectives in the country.
  • Support relevant ministries and other national agencies (e.g., National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, Prime Minister’s Office, etc.) in strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks to:
    • Introduce a Climate Disaster Risk Financing (CDRF) strategy to better manage economic losses after disasters; and
    • Advance the digitization of the national economy.
  • Lead efforts to identify and capitalize on business opportunities and resource mobilization in support of the UNCDF country and regional strategy.
  • Manage relationships with financial service providers (commercial banks, insurers, fintechs, mobile money operators, remittance service providers, etc.) leveraging UNCDF’s financial and technical assistance instruments.
  • Represent UNCDF in national-level workshops, conferences, and other external events as required.

3. Monitor and report on programme performance

  • Support the preparation of progress reports, ensuring that partner organizations submit timely and quality reports in accordance with UNCDF and donor requirements.
  • Contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes by tracking programme activities and outputs, identifying emerging risks, and ensuring compliance with UNCDF operational and financial management standards.

4. Facilitate knowledge management and communication

  • Capture lessons learned and contribute to knowledge management and communication products (e.g., blog posts, focus notes, briefs).
  • Facilitate knowledge exchange with partners and ensure dissemination of results, innovations, and good practices.
  • Support advocacy on key programme issues in coordination with partners and UNCDF communications teams.
  • Perform other duties within the functional profile as required to support the effective functioning of the office and the organization.

5. Results/Expected Outputs

  • Robust relationships with Government ministries and agencies, financial services stakeholders, donors and other development partners; 
  • A portfolio and pipeline of high quality and innovative projects and other initiatives to support the development of Tonga’s digital finance, digital economy and SDG financing; 
  • Increased visibility and recognition by UNCDF’s stakeholders in Tonga for its expertise and capacity to deliver development outcomes for an inclusive digital economy. 
  • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
  • Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy    

  • System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
  • Negotiation & Influence: Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.

Business Management     

  • Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. 
  • Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

Digital and Innovation    

  • Digital Inclusion: Knowledge of how digital inclusion work, opportunities and challenges for governments and society.

Finance    

  • Development finance expertise: Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance, etc.

Partnership Management    

  • Private Sector Engagement: Ability to identify, conduct outreach and manage relationships with the private sector.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Management, International Relations or related field is required, or 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

  • Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience working with commercial financial institutions such as commercial banks, capital markets, or other private sector financial entities.

Required skills:

  • Solid experience in financial services and/or digital economy sector (e.g. Digital Finance, FinTech, InsurTech, MSME Finance, eCommerce, Telco, etc.)

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

  • Experience working in developing countries and SIDS is considered an advantage.
  • Experience working with financial regulatory bodies or development finance institutions, such as central banks, financial regulators, or multilateral development organizations (e.g., World Bank, IFC, ADB) is considered an advantage.
  • Knowledge, understanding of concepts of investments and financial instruments such as loans, guarantees and grants.
  • Experience in engaging effectively with government counterparts, private sector, development partners, and civil society organizations.
  • Representation skills with the ability to serve as the face of the UNCDF in the country.
  • Sensitivity to gender equality, inclusion and social protection principles in programme design and delivery.

Required Languages:

  • Fluency in written and spoken in English and Tongan in required. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

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