Development Finance Adviser, Geneva, Switzerland, P4 Seconded to UNHCR

Organizational Context

The UN Global Solutions Hub on Internal Displacement ("the Hub") is an inter-agency platform that brings together the UN system to help countries translate global commitments on internal displacement into tangible progress on the ground. Guided by the UN Secretary-General's Action Agenda on Internal Displacement and the IASC–UNDSG Joint Guidance on Solutions to Internal Displacement, the Hub provides integrated support to Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams to deliver lasting solutions for displaced communities.

The Hub operates under the strategic guidance of an Annual Workplan endorsed by the Joint Steering Committee to Advance Humanitarian and Development Collaboration (JSC). It reports annually on progress to the JSC and provides updates to the Executive Committee/Deputies Committee on implementation of the Secretary General's Action Agenda.

The Hub's core purpose is to turn the UN's global commitments on internal displacement into practical, country-level action. Specifically, it aims to:

• Provide direct support to countries - in advancing durable solutions for internally displaced persons;

• Facilitate knowledge sharing and access to good practices across the UN system;

• Track and report progress on implementing the Secretary General's Action Agenda on Internal Displacement; and

• Strengthen coordination across key UN and inter-agency mechanisms, including the Global Solutions Working Group.

The position of Development Finance Adviser (DFA) plays a crucial role in leading the strategic, policy and operational support of the Hub to the UN Resident Coordinators and the UNCT on all matters related to financing solutions for internal displacement, including the convening of a Development Finance Working Group with range of stakeholders.

The DFA reports to the Coordinator of the Solutions Hub, working closely with the international financial institutions, national development banks, ministries of finance and planning, donor agencies, member states governments, UN Resident Coordinators, and participating UN Organizations, national and multinational private sector companies.

Functions

• Provide technical advisory, tools, and methodologies that support UN Resident Coordinators and UNCTs, to develop and implement IDP solutions strategic financing frameworks.

• Advise and support UN Country Teams in developing investment briefs and financing strategies that demonstrate the economic and social returns of investing in durable solutions for internally displaced people, including by drawing on evidence of their contribution to GDP growth, fiscal stability, labor market participation, poverty reduction, and improved national health and education outcomes.

• Strengthen capacity of UN Country Teams through advisory services to assess and communicate the macro-economic and development impacts of durable solutions using quantitative analysis and evidence-based policy tools.

• Facilitate partnerships with development finance institutions, international financial institutions, and private sector actors to leverage additional resources for durable solutions.

• Facilitate high-level engagement between UN Country Teams and senior-level government counterparts, particularly ministries of finance and planning, to institutionalize durable solutions within national and local budget processes medium-term expenditure frameworks, and public investment plans.

• Convene the meetings of the development finance coordination group for solutions to internal displacement that includes members from IFIs, donor agencies and UN agencies. In addition, represent the Hub at the interagency Working Group on UN-IFI partnerships in crisis-affected situations.

• Lead on knowledge management and advocacy on development finance for solutions to internal displacement and, under the direction of the Solution Hub Coordinator, represents the Solutions Hub in Fora related to development finance.

• Develop systems for tracking progress regarding financing for solutions to internal displacement in collaboration with the UNCTs and contributes to feed information and analysis to the reporting prepared by the Solutions Hub.

Competencies and Selection Criteria

Description of Competency at Level Required

(For more comprehensive descriptions please see the competency inventory)

In this section list all 5 core competencies as well as the most relevant technical/function competencies the role will be required along with the appropriate level. Primary competencies are those integral to the position and are the criteria by which a hiring decision would be made. Secondary competencies are necessary but are not critical to role.

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 5: Integrate & Empower (Strategic Advisor)

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Integrate & Empower (Strategic Advisor)

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Delivery

Ability to get things done

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Technical/Functional

Primary

Development Finance Expertise

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

Level 5: Integrate & Empower (Strategic Advisor)

Strategic Thinking

Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground and creating tangible solutions.

Level 5: Integrate & Empower (Strategic Advisor)

Partnerships management

Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society, IFIs, and private sector partners, experts and others

Level 5: Integrate & Empower (Strategic Advisor)

Effective Decision Making

Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources.

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Secondary

Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Advocacy

Ability to efficiently handle advocacy activities

Level 4: Originate (Peer Regarded Lead Expert)

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Advanced university degree in finance, development finance, economics, public finance, international development, public administration, public policy or other relevant social sciences is required.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years' experience in development finance and or sustainable development with the United Nations, a multilateral development bank, a development finance institution, or a government development agency is required.

A minimum of five years specifically working on development finance (strategy development, public policy financing, or transactional) with a focus on crisis and fragile contexts is required.

Experience in working with multilateral development banks financing products and engaging with the private sector for financing for development in developing countries, including via innovative and blended finance schemes is required.

Demonstrated experience in engaging with ministries of finance, planning, or economic development to influence policy or investment priorities is highly desirable.

Experience working in countries in Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions is desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required, and competency in another UN language is an advantage.

Swiss citizenship or a "C" residence permit for Switzerland is mandatory.

BoM and duration: asap for 18 months

Duty station: Geneva Switzerland

Deadline for application: 4.4.2026

For further information please contact:

Contact/Application: Please send your application by e-mail to: Dieter Loosli (), +41 58 463 21 03