Sustainable and Blended Finance Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and communities worldwide, and it fosters a culture of inclusivity and growth.

Job Overview:
The Sustainable and Blended Finance Specialist will provide expert advice and guidance to support the Senior Adviser on Sustainable Financing. This role focuses on developing feasible, scalable, and sustainable financial models for groundwater development in the ASAL region. The consultant will collaborate with the Kenya Country Office and WASH Hub finance and water specialists to analyze groundwater scheme cost structures, operational and maintenance profiles, and lifecycle costing. The position requires assessing revenue, tariffs, subsidies, and expenditure patterns across various counties and utilities, as well as mapping suitable financing instruments for groundwater schemes. The outcomes of this role will inform future groundwater pilots and investment strategies, contributing to UNICEF's mission of reaching disadvantaged children in challenging environments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze groundwater scheme cost structures, operational and maintenance profiles, and lifecycle costing.
• Assess revenue, tariffs, subsidies, and expenditure patterns across counties and utilities.
• Map public, private, community, and blended financing instruments suitable for groundwater schemes.
• Provide actionable financing pathways for up to four pilot sites.
• Collaborate with the Senior Adviser, Innovation, and the Hub Portfolio Manager to drive projects to scale.
• Work closely with the WASH GPD Centre of Excellence and UNICEF Country Offices to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Report to the Senior Adviser on Sustainable Financing and assist in strategic planning and implementation of financing initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Civil or Public Engineering, Development Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in WASH finance, utility finance, infrastructure finance, or public financial management.
• Strong understanding of water sector or financial and governance frameworks in East Africa.
• Demonstrated experience in financial modeling, tariff analysis, affordability studies, or cost recovery assessments.
• Experience working in or with low- and middle-income countries, preferably UNICEF programme countries.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in a relevant field such as Finance, Economics, Civil or Public Engineering, Development Finance, or Business Administration. Alternatively, a first University Degree in a relevant field combined with two additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of professional experience in areas such as WASH finance, utility finance, infrastructure finance, or public financial management. Candidates should have a strong understanding of the water sector and financial governance frameworks, particularly in East Africa, and should demonstrate experience in financial modeling and tariff analysis.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Additional local languages are considered an asset, as is experience with climate finance or blended finance. Knowledge of languages relevant to the regions of operation is beneficial.

Additional Notes:
The position is remotely based, with expected travel to Kenya, particularly to Northern Kenya counties, for two trips of five days each. The consultant will also spend up to two weeks at the WASH Hub in Copenhagen, with travel arrangements being the responsibility of the consultant. Payment will be based on the submission of agreed deliverables, and UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if deliverables do not meet required standards. Interested applicants must submit a financial proposal that includes travel costs and daily subsistence allowances, as applications without a financial proposal will not be considered. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.