Policy and Regulation Specialist – SME Trade Finance, IPSA10, Home-based, UNCDF, [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

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. 
As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, 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, United Nations Organizations, 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.  UNCDF’s work is focused on three priority areas, including: 
•                    SME Finance 
•                    Sub-National Finance 
•                    Digital Finance 
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, USA. 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 an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.   
The SME Trade Finance Facility (STFF) is a multi-country programme designed to address systemic constraints in access to trade finance for small and medium enterprises in developing economies. Funded by the European Union and jointly implanted with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the programme operates across six target countries—Ghana, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Trinidad & Tobago—with the objective of catalysing sustainable trade finance markets for SME through a combination of capacity building, product innovation, and de-risking instruments.
The programme is structured around a phased approach to market development, transitioning from initial grant-supported pilots through to sustainable, market-driven solutions. In this context, the Investment Specialist will provide critical leadership across technical, operational, and strategic components of programme delivery, working closely with Financial Service Providers, Development Finance Institutions, Export Credit Agencies, and other key stakeholders to achieve lasting systemic impact.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Policy and Regulation Specialist – SME Trade Finance will report to the Global Lead, Investment Climate and Policy Advisory.

The Policy and Regulation Specialist – SME Trade Finance will lead programme implementation of the Enabling Policy and Regulation workstream, providing overall direction for activities aimed at strengthening the policy and regulatory environment for SME trade finance. The role requires conducting comprehensive assessments of trade finance regulatory frameworks, analysing the impact of international prudential standards and correspondent banking de-risking on SME access to trade credit, and benchmarking regulatory best practices to identify reform opportunities. The Specialist will design policy recommendations and regulatory reforms to address SME trade finance gaps, develop model regulations for innovative trade finance instruments, and create policy frameworks for fintech-enabled solutions. A core function of the role is leading policy dialogue with central banks, finance ministries, and financial regulatory authorities, coordinating multi-stakeholder working groups, and representing the programme in regional and international forums. The position also carries responsibility for providing technical assistance to regulatory authorities in implementing reforms, developing capacity building programmes for regulators, and supporting the establishment of critical market infrastructure. Additionally, the Specialist will produce policy briefs and research papers, documenting successful reform case studies for replication across programme countries.
More specifically, the Policy and Regulation Specialist – SME Trade Finance will be responsible for the following tasks:

1.)    Policy Analysis & Regulatory Assessment
•    Provide the overall drive, direction and management of the implementation of programme activities under workstream 1
•    Conduct comprehensive assessments of trade finance regulatory frameworks, identifying barriers that limit SME access to trade credit and cross-border financing
•    Analyze the impact of Basel III/IV capital requirements, KYC/AML regulations, and correspondent banking de-risking on SME trade finance 
•    Evaluate national trade policies, foreign exchange controls, and documentary requirements that affect SME participation in trade
•    Benchmark regulatory best practices across jurisdictions to identify reform opportunities that could expand SME trade finance access

2.)    Regulatory Reform & Policy Development
•    Design policy recommendations and regulatory reforms to address SME trade finance gaps, including simplified documentation requirements and risk-based compliance frameworks
•    Develop model regulations for innovative trade finance instruments such as movable asset registries, electronic warehouse receipts, and digital trade documentation
•    Create policy frameworks for fintech-enabled trade finance solutions including regulatory sandboxes for testing blockchain-based trade platforms
•    Draft guidelines for prudential treatment of SME trade finance exposures that balance financial stability with market development objectives

3.)    Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy
•    Lead policy dialogue with central banks, finance ministries, and financial regulatory authorities on SME trade finance reform priorities
•    Coordinate multi-stakeholder working groups bringing together regulators, banks, SME associations, and development partners to address systemic barriers
•    Participate in regional and international forums on trade finance regulation, including WTO, ICC Banking Commission, and regional development banks
•    Build coalitions with industry associations, chambers of commerce, and trade bodies to advocate for SME-friendly trade finance policies

4.)    Implementation Support & Capacity Building
•    Provide technical assistance to regulatory authorities in implementing trade finance reforms, including drafting of regulations and operational guidelines
•    Develop capacity building programmes for regulators on emerging trade finance products, digital innovations, and international regulatory standards
•    Support establishment of trade finance facilitation units within central banks and specialized SME trade finance guarantee schemes
•    Design monitoring frameworks to track the impact of regulatory reforms on SME trade finance volumes, pricing, and accessibility

5.)    Lead Knowledge Management & Market Infrastructure Development
•    Produce policy briefs, research papers, and regulatory guidance notes on SME trade finance topics for government and industry stakeholders
•    Support development of critical market infrastructure including credit bureaus, collateral registries, and trade information platforms that facilitate SME risk assessment
•    Document case studies of successful regulatory reforms and their impact on SME trade finance markets for replication in other jurisdictions
•    Contribute to global knowledge products on trade finance regulation, participating in research initiatives with multilateral organizations.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact  
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems  
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences 
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands  
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results 
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration 
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•    Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Law, Public Policy, Economics, International Trade, Development Studies, Finance, Political Science, or a related field is required, or
•    A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

•    A minimum of five (5) years (with master's degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible experience in financial sector policy, regulatory reform, or trade policy analysis is required.

Required skills:

•    At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in policy advisory, regulatory assessment, or technical assistance to government institutions in the context of financial inclusion or SME finance.
•    Proven track record of experience leading policy dialogue and providing technical advisory services to financial regulatory authorities (e.g., central banks, financial sector supervisory bodies), trade-related ministries, and government agencies on matters relating to trade finance, financial inclusion, or SME access to finance.
•    Demonstrated experience in conducting regulatory assessments, drafting policy recommendations, and supporting the design or implementation of financial sector reforms in developing country contexts.
•    Demonstrated experience in engaging and collaborating with multilateral and bilateral organisations, donors, private foundations, and government bodies to build partnerships and manage external relations.

Desired skills:

•    Experience in regulatory frameworks, including Basel III/IV capital requirements, KYC/AML compliance, correspondent banking dynamics, and their impact on trade finance for SME.
•    Experience in designing or supporting the development of enabling legal and regulatory frameworks for innovative financial instruments, such as movable asset registries, electronic warehouse receipts, or digital trade documentation.
•    Proven experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder working groups or policy platforms bringing together regulators, financial institutions, industry associations, and development partners.
•    Experience with the policy and regulatory environment for trade and SME finance in the programming countries, including engagement with institutions such as central banks and ministries of trade.
•    Experience working in the context of joint-UN programming.

Required Language(s):

•    Fluency in English is required.
•    Professional knowledge of French is considered an asset.

Professional Certificates:

Relevant certifications, such as Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or similar, are a plus.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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