Hosted Entity: Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF)
Position: Catalytic Finance Specialist (Anglophone West Africa)
Location: Abuja, Nigeria and home based
Work Type: Consultancy (Retainer Contract)
Contract Duration: 1 year, with the possibility of extension
Contract Level: LICA 10
Experience Required: Minimum of 5 years
Application Deadline: 19 August 2026
About the Organization
The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) is a UNOPS hosted initiative that works to expand access to sanitation and hygiene solutions in low and middle income countries.
Through its Capital M initiative, SHF is developing innovative financing mechanisms to strengthen the menstrual health ecosystem by supporting enterprises, investors, financial institutions, and development partners. The initiative aims to unlock additional capital for businesses that provide menstrual health products and services across Africa.
The Opportunity
UNOPS is seeking a Catalytic Finance Specialist to support the development of investment opportunities within the menstrual health financing ecosystem in Anglophone West Africa.
The successful candidate will help identify high impact businesses, map financial ecosystems, analyze investment opportunities, and support the development of catalytic financing approaches that can increase investment in menstrual health enterprises.
The role will initially focus on priority countries in Anglophone West Africa and will involve close collaboration with private sector organizations, investors, financial institutions, and development partners.
Key Responsibilities
Market and Pipeline Assessment
- Identify enterprises that could benefit from catalytic financing
- Evaluate menstrual health businesses across the value chain
- Assess business models, financing needs, and investment readiness
- Identify incubation and acceleration programs supporting menstrual health enterprises
Financing Ecosystem Mapping
- Map investors and financial institutions operating within the region
- Identify strategic partners and intermediaries
- Assess financing gaps and opportunities
Stakeholder Engagement
- Meet with enterprises, investors, and development partners
- Understand challenges facing menstrual health businesses
- Explore opportunities for additional investment
Investment Strategy Development
- Support the development of catalytic financing approaches
- Identify high priority investment opportunities
- Contribute to pipeline development and investment recommendations
Reporting and Analysis
- Prepare market assessments
- Produce analytical reports
- Contribute to strategy documents and investment materials
Required Qualifications
Education
Applicants must have:
- A master's degree in:
- Development finance
- Corporate finance
- Economics
- Business administration
- International development
- Or a related field
OR
- A bachelor's degree plus an additional two years of relevant professional experience.
Experience Requirements
Applicants must have:
-
At least 5 years of experience in:
- Development finance
- Corporate finance
- Impact investing
- Private sector finance
-
Experience in program financing within low and middle income countries.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in the following areas will be an advantage:
- Menstrual health markets
- Enterprise development
- Value chain analysis
- Impact investing
- Market systems development
- Knowledge of businesses operating in Anglophone West Africa
- Understanding of regional investors and financial institutions.
Language Requirements
- Fluent English is required.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This role sits at the intersection of:
- Sustainable finance
- Gender equity
- Women's health
- Enterprise development
- Impact investing
- Market systems strengthening
For professionals with backgrounds in ESG, sustainable finance, impact investing, development finance, environmental economics, or research, this position offers a unique opportunity to support investment solutions that improve health outcomes across West Africa.