Catalytic Finance Specialist (Anglophone West Africa)

AI summary

UNOPS is hiring a Catalytic Finance Specialist based in Abuja, Nigeria, to support the SHF Capital M initiative advancing catalytic financing for market-based menstrual health solutions across Anglophone West Africa. The role involves market and pipeline assessment, financing ecosystem mapping, stakeholder engagement, and identifying high-impact enterprises and strategic partners. Initial focus is Nigeria, with broader regional support as the programme grows.

• Position based in Abuja, Nigeria, with regional Anglophone West Africa focus
• Contract type: ICA LICA Specialist Retainer at LICA 10 level
• Supports SHF Capital M initiative for menstrual health market financing
• Requires private sector, impact investing, or development finance experience
• Reports to the MH Markets Specialist within the wider team

Original source description

Catalytic Finance Specialist (Anglophone West Africa) at The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) ⏲ Aug 14, 2026, 9:01 AM ⋕ View all Banking & Financial Services jobs 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. We are recruiting to fill the position below: Job Title: Catalytic Finance Specialist (Anglophone West Africa) Location: Abuja Contract Type: ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer Job Category: Programme Contract Level: LICA 10 Role Purpose The role also includes meeting with enterprises and potential partners to explore opportunities, understand challenges and assess financing needs - supporting strategy and efforts to unlock more investment through catalytic finance. The Catalytic Finance Specialist will help map out key private sector players, potential SHF/Capital M partners, investors and other relevant organisations in the market. The role will support Capital M to identify, assess and advance catalytic financing opportunities for market-based menstrual health solutions. The initial focus will be Nigeria, with broader support across Anglophone West Africa as the programme grows. Reporting to the MH Markets Specialist, and working closely with the wider team, the role will support SHF’s Capital M initiative and its goal of advancing country - and regional-level - pipeline opportunities for catalytic financing in the menstrual health (MH) market by identifying and analysing high-impact enterprises and strategic partners to unlock additional investment. The role of the Catalytic Finance Specialist will be to assist the SHF technical team with scoping of potential pipeline opportunities/targets (in particular enterprises in a first step) and partners for catalytic financing in SHF’s priority countries (with an initial focus on Anglophone West Africa) by drawing on relevant experience: in the private sector, impact investing and/or development finance space. Functions / Key Results Expected Market and pipeline assessment: Review their development stage, geographic presence, business model, market position, financial performance, fundraising status, financing needs and investment readiness, subject to data availability. Identify and assess enterprises, financial institutions, investors and strategic partners that could support catalytic financing for market-based menstrual health solutions. Assess enterprises across the menstrual health value chain, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers and e-commerce platforms. Identify relevant incubation and acceleration programmes supporting menstrual health enterprises. Financing ecosystem mapping: Map local financial institutions and intermediaries that provide, or could provide, local-currency financing for menstrual health enterprises. Identify relevant blended finance funds, impact investors, development finance institutions and other financing partners. Assess their mandates, investment criteria, financing instruments, sector priorities and alignment with Capital M. Pipeline analysis and prioritisation: Support the development of suitable catalytic financing instruments, structures and partnership models. Assess opportunities based on their potential impact, feasibility, scalability, financing needs and alignment with SHF objectives. Develop and apply criteria to screen and prioritise direct and indirect pipeline opportunities, including enterprises, financial institutions and investment vehicles. Recommend priority opportunities for technical assistance, catalytic financing, partnership development or further assessment. Stakeholder engagement and partnerships: Build and maintain relationships with potential Capital M partners and pipeline opportunities. Represent SHF at selected meetings, conferences and sector events, as agreed with the technical team. Prepare technical briefs, presentations, assessment profiles and other agreed outputs. Contribute market intelligence and technical content to Capital M’s engagement strategy. Geographic Focus: The specific countries and sequencing of activities will be agreed with the SHF technical team. The assignment will initially focus on Nigeria. As the programme grows, the role may provide broader support across Anglophone West Africa, including Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Key Deliverables: The detailed work packages and timelines will be agreed during onboarding. Key deliverables will include: A summary of stakeholder consultations and key market insights. Technical inputs to Capital M’s engagement strategy with finance and investment partners. A stakeholder and financing ecosystem map covering enterprises, financial institutions, investors, funds, accelerators and other potential partners. An agreed workplan setting out the methodology, activities, timelines and expected outputs. A desk review of existing SHF work, relevant documentation and market intelligence, using the MH Market Maturity Assessment Tool as a baseline. A regularly updated pipeline database covering identified opportunities, financing needs, investment readiness, potential SHF support and recommended next steps. Recommendations on priority pipeline opportunities, partnerships and catalytic financing approaches. Requirements: Education: Requirements: Required: A Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience: may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in development finance, corporate finance, economics, business administration, international development or a related field Experience: Requirements: Required: Minimum of 5 years work experience: in the private sector/development finance/corporate finance related area is required Experience: in programme financing (related to development finance/impact investing in LMIC) is required Desired: Experience: in working in menstrual health (MH) related to markets and value chain concepts from the perspective of the industry, enterprises, investors and/or development finance actors is desirable Knowledge of regional (Anglophone West Africa) sector specific enterprise environment and financial actors is desirable. Skills: Market Analysis, Project Coordination, Research, Stakeholder Engagement, Prioritization Competencies: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Role model for diversity and inclusion. Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply online Application Deadline: 19th August, 2026. View all Jobs in Nigeria Abuja