BACKGROUND
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP has been supporting governments in the Asia Pacific to integrate climate change concerns into national, sectoral and local level programming as well as in their budgets and financial policies through facilitating regional learning and south-south cooperation through the DFID-supported Climate Proofing Growth and Development (CPGD) programme (2013-2019) and the Government of Sweden supported Strengthening the Governance of Climate Change Finance to Enhance Gender Equality (GCCF) programmes (two phases from 2012 - 2022).
To accelerate the implementation of the climate finance agenda, a Climate Finance Network (CFN) project has now been put in place by the UNDP Asia Pacific region. The CFN is part of a bigger UK Government programme โClimate Action for Resilient Asia (CARA)โ announced at the COP 26 in November 2021, which aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities, economies, and the environment against the impacts of climate change and promote low carbon growth across the Indo- Pacific. The CFN covers 15 countries in the Asia Pacific. The CFN Project is being implemented simultaneously with the GCCF III- Strengthening the Governance of Climate Finance to Promote Inclusive Climate Resilience in Asia Pacific.ย It covers five countries in Asia Pacific- Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Tuvalu and Solomon Island (which are common with the CFN). The project will be co implemented with the UNCDF and will run from 1st July 2024 to 31st December 2027.ย
The CFN project aims to support governments and other actors in the ecosystem to identify and scale up climate finance innovations and in their efforts to mobilize and use both public and private climate-responsive resources more effectively. The CFN also aims to assist governments to achieve their aspiration on the SDGs by focusing on social inclusion and engendering climate finance. Beyond introducing enabling frameworks, systems and tools, the CFN will facilitate knowledge sharing on best practices emerging from countries with regional institutions and platforms as well as engage in knowledge sharing across regions; maximize synergies and collaboration with other UNDP programmes; and facilitate country engagements with CARA partners and other synergistic networks and initiatives to integrate climate finance reforms into country systems more effectively.
The GCCF III aims at supporting LDCs in the region on taking a sectoral and a multi-tier governance approach for public investments to be more climate responsive and also explore financing solutions for the select sectors in these countries. This will include but not limited to looking at the international and philanthropic sources of finance.
The Climate Finance Specialist will work under the supervision of the CFNโs Programme Manager.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Climate Finance Specialist will work in collaboration with other technical experts for the Climate Finance Network. He/ she will report to the Programme Manager Climate Finance Network and will be part of the SDG Finance Team which is led by the SDG Finance Advisor. The Specialist will work closely with the UNDP country offices and will also liaise with governments and other stakeholders for a demand-driven support on climate finance.
The Climate Finance Specialist will work under the supervision of the CFNโs Programme Manager.
Lead the Climate Finance Network workstream on Access to International Climate Finance, assisting countries in exploring financing from the both the vertical funds and other available sources of finance e.g the multilateral banks, bilateral development agencies.ย Coordinate with the Nature, Climate and Energy (NCE) Team in BRH, to support CFN country governments on strengthening the range of national capacities and positioning for accessing international sources of climate finance Advise and support the GCCF III countries in identifying sector specific solutions for financing from international sources. Liaise with the Climate team at the BRH and respective country offices for connecting any potential investment proposal requirements with the vertical funds and with other international sources.ย Lead the CFN and GCCF III engagement and support to countries on accessing philanthropy as a source of climate finance. This will involve but not be limited to brokering a dialogue between countries on bankable projects with the philanthropic entities.ย Advisory support to countries in formulation and implementation of NAP and NDC aligned climate and adaptation financing strategies and Climate Change Financing Frameworks (CCFF).ย Advise and support the countries in the CFN to report effectively to the UNFCCC in biennial reporting on climate finance. ย Provide advisory support to countries on carbon pricing and tapping the potential of carbon credits in the GCCF III countries.ย Work with the Gender, Social Inclusion and Adaptation Specialist in the team to assist countries across the CFN in defining gender-sensitive key performance indicators for translation of policy objectives to the development of budgets and subsequent monitoring of results. This will allow a more aggregate view of the impacts of climate expenditures on the ground. Organize selected trainings for relevant government counterparts, sectoral ministries, and CFN project and SDG finance teams on climate finance needs and facilitate resource mobilization from both public and private finance.ย Develop regional guidance and knowledge materials, organize South-South and regional dialogues, including tapping into UNDPโs technical engagement in support of initiatives such as the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action and the G20 working group on sustainable finance. Contribute to progress reports and in the development of briefs for the donors. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the OrganizationCOMPETENCIES
Core Competencies:ย
Achieve Results:ย LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively:ย LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously:ย LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility:ย LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination:ย LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner:ย LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityCross-Functional & Technical Competencies:
Business Direction and Strategy: Strategic Thinking
Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPโs mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.Business Management:ย Partnerships Management
Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.ย2030 Agenda- Planet: Climate
Climate Strategies and Policy: Financing Strategies, Plans and Investment Frameworks. Climate Strategies and Policy: NDC enhancement.2030 Agenda- Partnerships: SDG Finance
International Financial Institutionsย2030 Agenda: Planet: Climate
Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation Plans.Business Direction and Strategy: System Thinking
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.ยQUALIFICATIONS
Education:ย
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Climate Change, Environment, Finance, International Development, Development Studies, Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences or any other relevant field is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
Minimum of 7 years (with masterโs degree) or 9 years (with bachelors degree) of proven experience working on climate finance issues including experience aroundย international climate finance and climate responsive financing solutions is required. At least 5 yearsโ experience in supporting adaptation and mitigation issues at national or international level is required.ย Prior experience with UNDP and knowledge of its policies, procedures and practice is an asset.ย Experience in supporting governments in Asia Pacific on climate finance issues will be an asset.ย Experience in working with country governments on climate responsive financing solutions and improving governance and institutional mechanisms for improving effectiveness of climate finance is desired. Proven experience in overseeing and ensuring technical soundness of research and analysis products is desired.ยLanguage Requirements:
Fluency in oral and written English is required.ย Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.ย Fluency in other languages spoken in the region is an asset.