Project Portfolio Specialist – West & Central Africa & LAC

About the role

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is seeking a Project Portfolio Specialist to support its expanding pipeline of projects in West & Central Africa (WCA) and Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC). Based in Dakar, the specialist will coordinate the launch and early implementation phases of several multi‑partner initiatives across Mali, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Colombia.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the operational set‑up and coordination of new projects, ensuring timely delivery of workstreams, partnerships and reporting mechanisms.
• Act as the primary liaison for project stakeholders, including donors, UN agencies, government counterparts, private‑sector partners and development finance institutions.
• Provide cross‑language support (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese) and align project activities with UNCDF’s investment mandate.
• Collaborate with regional investment specialists, finance, communications and operations teams to integrate project activities into the broader portfolio.
• Travel to project sites as needed to oversee implementation and facilitate on‑the‑ground coordination.

Required profile

• Proven experience in managing development‑finance or blended‑finance projects in multi‑country settings.
• Strong ability to work in a multilingual environment and coordinate diverse stakeholder groups.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills, with a focus on aligning activities to strategic objectives.