Office/Unit/Project Description
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDPโs policy work is carried out through a network of advisors and specialists located at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, to ensure that local knowledge and context specific expertise is linked to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP provides its policy advisory and programme support functions through the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains, in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policies and guidance to support the results of UNDPโs Strategic Plan.ย ย
UNDP's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan highlighting our continued commitment to eradicating poverty, accompanying countries in their pathways towards the SDGs and working towards the Paris Agreement. As part of the Global Policy Network in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP's Nature, Climate, Energy, Waste and Chemical Hubs promote and scale up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas. ย
BPPSโ Hubs on Nature, Climate, Energy, Waste and Chemicals work with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies; support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and implement the UNโs largest portfolio of in-country programming on environment, climate change, and energy. This multi-billion-dollar portfolio encompasses: ย
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forestsย Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systemsย Water and Ocean Governance including SIDSย Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptationย Sustainable Energyย Extractive Industriesย Chemicals and Waste Managementย Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy and SCP approachesUNDPโs Nature Pledge is a direct response to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which sets out a series of global targets to conserve and restore biodiversity for the benefit of people and planet. The Pledge is the UNDPโs nature strategy for 2030 for making significant contributions to placing nature at the heart of development through 3 systemic shifts and redoubles our commitment to successfully deliver the GBF which directly support action under Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda.ย
In parallel, the Nature Investment Facility (hosted within the Nature Hub/BPPS) has been developed as one mechanism to support the financing and delivery of UNDPโs Nature Pledge and the Global Biodiversity Framework. The Facility will rapidly accelerate and upscale investment in at-risk and exceptional ecosystems (including those designated or aiming to transition as UNESCO World Heritage sites and Biosphere Reserves) by strengthening the enabling environment for and deploying tailored financial mechanisms and investments in nature-positive solutions. The Facility has been developed by UNDP, UNCDF and UNESCO. It will convene a coalition of private sector partners, Member States and philanthropic organizations to achieve its mission.ย ย
UNDP is seeking a Secretariat Manager to support the Nature Investment Facility.ย
The purpose of this assignment is to support the Nature Investment Facility, and wider Nature Hub team, to grow the Facilityโs programmatic impact, mobilize additional resources, and develop and maintain key strategic partnerships that will help deliver increased financing for nature and development programmes globally.ย
Scope of Workย
1.ย Oversee the operations of the Nature Investment Facilityโs Secretariat
Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Secretariat, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness. This includes the Secretariatโs human resources, procurement, and other administrative functions.ย Manage the Secretariatโs budget, financial planning, and reporting. Identify and mitigate risks related to governance, finance, operations, and stakeholder relations. Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and organizational policies. Establish performance metrics and monitor progress towards the Facilityโs goals. Provide regular reports and updates to the Steering Committee (the main governing body of the Facility) and Facility stakeholders. Act as the primary liaison between the Secretariat, and the Nature Investment Facilityโs Steering Committee, facilitating official board meetings and informal partner meetings.ย Deliver high quality inputs for partner and donor reports within given deadlines, and provide other inputs as required for briefing notes, knowledge management products, and other media products.2.ย Lead strategic planning and programme development
Lead the development and execution of the Secretariatโs workplan in alignment with the Facilityโs long-term objectives. Track progress of the Facility and adapt workplan based on evolving trends, opportunities, and risks.ย Ensure strategic alignment between programme development, the Nature Investment Facilityโs investment priorities, and financial sustainability goals. Oversee and provide guidance for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of country programmes and initiatives.ย Maintain active engagement with Nature Investment Facility programme focal points and Implementing Partners to support the development of external communications and to showcase the Facilityโs impact. Ensure coordination and synergy between Nature Investment Facility and other relevant teams/initiatives within UNDP. Effectively position the Nature Investment Facility as a key delivery mechanism of UNDPโs Nature Pledge.3. Support the development and maintenance of strategic partnerships and external communications
Serve as the Secretariatโs key representative, fostering relationships with partners, government agencies, donors, and other stakeholders, and ensuring partnerships align with the Nature Investment Facilityโs objectives.ย Oversee internal and external communications, ensuring consistency in messaging and that brand standards are maintained Facilitate collaboration between partner UN agencies and other key stakeholders to grow the Nature Investment Facility.ย Effectively represent the Nature Investment Facility at key events, presenting and furthering the Facilityโs interests in adequate, diplomatic ways. Provide guidance and inputs for Nature Investment Facility engagement in international fora, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other relevant international meetings and conferences. Provide inputs to global, regional, and national workshops, regional conference calls, webinars, and website discussions as requested by the Nature Hub team.4.ย Implement the Resource Mobilization Strategy
Support the implementation of the Nature Investment Facilityโs resource mobilization strategy.ย Support the development and maintenance of the Facilityโs Resource Mobilisation materials (pitch deck, needs presentations, etc.). Coordinate day-to-day fundraising efforts with private foundations and UN Member States. Design and prepare proposals for resource mobilization that respond to the specific needs of interested donors.ย Liaise with stakeholders and donors upon request, including one-on-one calls and to provide technical support, in coordination with the Nature Investment Facility team. Prepare and support the negotiation, drafting and finalization of agreements with donors. Travel to donors to support the resource mobilization efforts as necessary.5.ย Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas.
Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Institutional Arrangement
The incumbent will work from home.ย The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Senior Nature Economist, Nature Hub.ย The Secretariat Head will also work with UNCDF, UNESCO, MPTFO, the BIOFIN Team, UNDP Country Offices, core and donor country governments, other international/multi-lateral organizations, and contractors; Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the Secretariat Head is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones, particularly with European and New York time zones. The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment. The incumbent will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, relevant software, etc.) and shall have access to a stable, secure and reliable internet connection.Competencies Core
Achieve Resultsย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Achieves high quality standards, and balances speed and accuracy during implementation Think Innovativelyย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuouslyย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Is open to learn from others and welcomes opportunities presented to them Adapt with Agilityย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Consistently delivers through adapting own approach to the ever-changing environment Act with Determinationย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Is resilient and will maintain focus to achieve challenging agendas, remains calm in times of high stress and uncertainty Engage and Partnerย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Ability to navigate complex landscapes, working with governments, NGOs, private sector and UN agencies Enable Diversity and Inclusionย ย LEVEL 3: Operates honestly and transparently to build trust, facilitates conversations from a neutral position, and champions inclusivityPeople Managementย
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencesย Thematic Area Name Definition 2030 Agenda: Planet Nature Ecosystems and biodiversity: Nature-positive economy and Biodiversity Financeย 2030 Agenda: Planet Nature Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Access and benefit sharing of biodiversity, land, forests and oceans Business Management Communications Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. ย Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. Partnership Management Relationship Management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding Business Development Integration with the UN Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work. Knowledge of the UN system and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations. Business Direction and Strategy Entrepreneurial Thinking Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDPโ value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDPโs organizational priorities and mandate. Business Direction and Strategy Systems 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.
Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA
Min. Education requirementsย ย ย
An advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Environment, Development Studies or other relevant field is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the said fields with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience will be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degreeMin. years of relevant work experience ย
Minimum of 5 years (with masterโs degree) and 7 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience in sustainable development/environmental finance, resource mobilisation, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, or a related field is required.Required skillsย
Experience establishing partnerships with UN Agencies, donors, and strategic partners, including developing pitches, conducting due diligence, and finalizing partnership agreements. Expertise in overseeing donor relations at the international level Experience in developing pitches for donors related to nature-based programmes. Experience developing and managing multi-year project workplans and budget.Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies sectionย
Experience of broader biodiversity conservation issues is considered an asset. Experience managing partnerships with UN, governmental or civil society organizations is an advantage. Experience in planning and organizing international events at international forums such as UNGA, CBD COP is highly desirable. Experience with UNDP policies, procedures and practices particularly in relation to project development and implementation and/or working experience in an international organization is an advantage Experience in UN multi-partner trust funds operations, donor management, and programme support is highly desirable.ย International experience with developing countries is an asset;Required Language(s)
Fluency in the English language is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.ยEqual opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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