Pro-Bono External Observer for UNDP’s Investment Committee

UNDP•New York, NY

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

External Members serve as independent advisors to the UNDP Investment Committee, providing expert advice and strategic guidance to support UNDP's monetary and investment oversight framework. The role is advisory, aimed at strengthening governance, risk oversight, and institutional investment discipline across UNDP's portfolios and foreign exchange activities. External Members do not participate in day-to-day execution of investment transactions or provide advice on individual investment decisions. They are expected to offer objective challenges, institutional perspective, and market expertise to support UNDP's investment objectives of Safety, Liquidity, Income, and Socially Responsible Investing.

Requirements

Substantial senior-level experience in one or more of the following areas: Institutional asset management, Fixed income portfolio management, Treasury and liquidity management, Foreign exchange management, Risk management, ESG/SRI investing, Pension, reserve or sovereign-style portfolio oversight.
A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience with governance frameworks applicable to large institutional investment portfolios.
Serve in their personal capacity as independent advisors.
Do not represent the interests of any organization, institution, or employer.
Maintain independence and objectivity, free from actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.
Complete UNDP conflict of interest declarations prior to appointment.
Promptly disclose any conflict arising during their term.
Recuse themselves from discussions or decisions where a conflict exists.
Maintain confidentiality regarding all Committee deliberations, materials and recommendations.
Exercise independent and objective judgment in the best interests of UNDP.

Nice To Haves

Appointments shall seek to ensure an appropriate balance of expertise across global institutional asset management, treasury operations, fixed income & foreign exchange markets, risk management and ESG/SRI Investing.

Responsibilities

Advising on the development, interpretation, and amendment of UNDP Investment Guidelines.
Reviewing strategic asset allocation frameworks, permissible instruments, maturity structures, and diversification parameters.
Providing independent perspectives on ESG/SRI integration and evolving institutional investment practices.
Selection of benchmarks and targets for investment returns.
Reviewing portfolio performance relative to approved benchmarks and investment objectives.
Assessing portfolio risks, including credits, liquidity, market, currency, operational, and counterparty risks.
Reviewing material compliance breaches, downgrade events, or other exceptions reported by Treasury.
Providing guidance on non-USD currency management and hedging strategies.
Reviewing the appointment and appropriateness of custodians, investment managers, brokers and counterparties.
Advising on governance, transparency, and institutional control frameworks relevant to investment operations.
Review the performance of the asset managers, custodians, brokers and other relevant external service providers to assist the Organization in the oversight, management and performance evaluation of its investments.
Bringing external market insight and institutional best practices to Committee discussions.
Providing constructive challenges and independent judgment on significant investment proposals or strategic changes.
Supporting long-term institutional resilience, sound governance, and fiduciary discipline across UNDP's cash management, asset management, and investment activities.
Actively participate in Committee deliberations.
Attend quarterly Committee meetings and additional sessions as required.
Review meeting materials in advance and participate actively in discussions.
Maintain confidentiality regarding all Committee deliberations, materials and recommendations.
Exercise independent and objective judgment in the best interests of UNDP.
Provide informal advice between meetings on material market developments, strategic initiatives, or emerging risks affecting UNDP portfolios.