Background
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 carried out at Headquarters, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in UNDPโs Strategic Plan. ย ย
UNDP's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan highlights 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 Change, Energy, and Waste (NCE&W) 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
In recent decades, biodiversity finance tools and solutions have demonstrated their importance for achieving biodiversity goals and broader sustainable development objectives. Improved choice, design and implementation of effective, well-tailored finance solutions will strengthen countriesโ chances of achieving national and global biodiversity targets. Biodiversity Finance Plans have become increasingly recognised as a relevant tool to help countries to identify and fill the biodiversity finance gap, including through the work of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative www.biofin.org. In December 2022, parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Montreal-Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework. This included numerous targets with relevance for financing. Target 19 on resource mobilisation includes reference for countries to design and implement national biodiversity finance plans. ย ย
The GEF created a global programme to support countries to design a national Biodiversity Finance Plan. A Biodiversity Finance Plan includes a systems analysis of a country's economy including to map existing financing mechanisms, subsidies with potential harmful impacts on nature, drivers of biodiversity loss and gain, public and private expenditures committed towards biodiversity objectives and a country's national financial needs for biodiversity. The biodiversity finance plan itself consists of a series of actions with the aim to significantly scale up available funding, green or phase out harmful finance flows and improve the effectiveness of available expenditures. The programme allows for active sharing of experiences across countries and includes a knowledge sharing platform and the provision of continuous technical support to country teams. ย
The implementation of the project in Tonga, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Palau, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, and Solomon Islands falls under the GEF8 Umbrella programme for the development of the first National Biodiversity Finance Plan. The overall implementation of the project will be led by the Project Lead/Senior Biodiversity Expert with the support of a technical team and in coordination to a government project director and the National Steering Committee. ย ย
For the implementation of the GEF8-BFP Umbrella program at the national level, UNDP is recruiting a central national team composed of a Project Lead and Senior Biodiversity Finance Specialist, and a Project Associate and Project Finance Specialist (Biodiversity) to be based out of Suva, Fiji. ย
The Project Lead & Senior Biodiversity Finance Specialist, Project Finance Specialist (Biodiversity) and the Project Associate will also be responsible for the delivery of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) programme for Fiji.ย
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Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Finance Specialist (Biodiversity) will be under the direct supervision of the Project Lead and Senior Biodiversity Finance Specialist.ย
UNDP shall be entitled to intellectual property and other proprietary rights over all materials that have a direct relation to the project.
Under the overall guidance of the Senior Finance Specialist (Project Lead), the ย Project Finance Specialist (Biodiversity) (โthe specialistโ) is expected to lead the production of the Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER), the Financial Needs Assessment (FNA) and support the development of the Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP) following the guidance provided by the latest version of the BIOFIN Workbook and with detailed data.ย
The ย Project Finance Specialist (Biodiversity) will also, as much as possible, provide input to all other national outputs, including the Policy and Institutional Review. The ย Project Finance Specialist (Biodiversity) could also contribute to the assessment and development of detailed feasibility studies for priority finance mechanisms in the BFP and the production of summary for Policy Makers. The specialist should provide input to the feedback on the BIOFIN methodological framework.ย
The specialist will collect, explore and work on national and subnational level budgeting datas and biodiversity expenditures of different organizations, agencies, ministries, NGOs and private sector actors for the production of the BER. For the Finance Needs Assessment (FNA) the consultant will produce a detailed realistic costing of key biodiversity policies and plans โ generally focused on the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). ย ย
The ย Project Finance Specialist (Biodiversity) will produce drafts and analyses that will be reviewed and ultimately validated by the Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead) and the BIOFIN Global Team.ย
For the Policy and Institutional Review (PIR)
For Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER)ย
Carry out a desk review to map existing studies/information/databases on biodiversity expenditures, including an overview of earlier environmental expenditure reviews. Develop a proposed national definition for โbiodiversity expendituresโ, based on the BIOFIN methodology or other methodologies. ย Develop a workplan for the Biodiversity Expenditure Review for discussion with the national BFP programme team and GPMTSU.ย Determine a target list of organizations to include in the analysis based on the PIR work.ย Collect data for the desk review to map existing studies/information/ databases on biodiversity expenditures, including an overview of earlier environmental expenditure reviews. ย ย Establish, with the support of the Project Lead and Senior Biodiversity Finance Specialist, a system to tag biodiversity expenses into categories (GBF targets, BIOFIN categories, NBSAP themes, etc.) and a system of coefficients/attribution to estimate the contribution of mixed actions towards biodiversity. ย ย Gather data from the targeted organizations to conduct the expenditure review on budgets and expenditures. Follow existing methodologies for guidance (includes mapping of sources of funding, subsidies, and biodiversity-based revenues, etc.)ย Develop tools or Excel tool to analyze the total biodiversity-related expenditures filtered by major strategy groups using existing methodology (or national categories such as in the NBSAP).ย Coordinate the compilation of relevant data and liaise with relevant Ministries and partners as required and complete all BIOFIN data entry sheets for the BER. ย ย Support the Organization of bilateral consultation meetings/interviews/ discussions with national level stakeholders to define and then validate the attribution of biodiversity significance in all relevant expenditures. ย Applying budget projections and other assumptions, estimate future funding baseline under a โBusiness-As-Usual Scenarioโ: an analysis of projected estimated funding in the future.ย Based on international best practices and the BIOFIN methodology or other methodologies, work closely with the Project Lead and Senior Biodiversity Finance Specialist to develop and implement a specific strategy for data collection of the private sector and organise dedicated consultation meetings with private sector stakeholders (e.g. chamber of commerce, multinationals) on tracking biodiversity expenditures. ย ย Based on results from the research, analysis and the national consultation workshop, develop, with the support of the Project Lead and Senior Biodiversity Finance Specialist, the draft BIOFIN Biodiversity Expenditure Review for review by the GPMTSU (Global Project Management and Technical Support Unit). ย Develop the final Biodiversity Expenditure Review, with the support of the Project Lead and Senior Biodiversity Finance Specialist, for review by the GPMTSU and present at the validation workshop.For the Biodiversity Finance Needs Assessment (FNA)
Review the available methodologies, examples from other countries, the latest NBSAP and the National Biodiversity Reports to develop an initial workplan and outline for the FNA. ย Consult with the NBSAP team and government entities responsible for NBSAP implementation to obtain background information about NBSAP activities and government budgeting processes. ย Work with the Project Lead and Senior Biodiversity Finance Specialist to review the scope of the NBSAP, its alignment with other national policies, and identify policy areas and activities that are not covered by the existing NBSAP. ย Review the activities listed in the NBSAP and other key strategic documents to assess if they are detailed and quantified enough for their budgets to be estimated in detail. ย If not, work with the NBSAP national focal points and other relevant stakeholders to define clearly the NBSAP actions so that they can be budgeted. ย Coordinate the compilation of relevant data and liaise with relevant Ministries and partners as required and organise a national consultation workshop to define the financial needs of all major biodiversity programmes. ย Develop detailed calculations and complete all datasheets related to the national biodiversity finance needs. ย Organize a workshop to validate the cost assumptions and models and refine the analysis through additional meetings as needed. ย Contribute to the comparison of the results of the BER future projections with the FNA in as great detail as the categories allow and produce an estimate of the financing gap. ย Lead the development (with support from the team) of a draft report for the Biodiversity Finance Needs Assessment for discussion at the validation workshop and review by the project national team and GPMTSU. ย Contribute to the Production of the final report of the Biodiversity Finance Needs AssessmentFor Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP)
Collaborate the Project Lead and Senior Biodiversity Finance Specialist in the conception and preparation of the BFP. ย Contribute to detailed feasibility analyses on a range of financing mechanisms depending on knowledge and experience.For Project Outreach and Communication
Preparation of workshops, meetings, networking and presentations as required, to complete the Biodiversity Expenditure Review, the Financial Needs Assessment and engage stakeholders.ย Provide substantive comments and feedback on how to improve the existing methodologies.For Knowledge Management and Reporting
Document decisions and assumptions made while completing the Biodiversity Expenditure Review and the Biodiversity Finance Needs Assessment. ย Document lessons learned from conducting the BFP project ranging from institutional considerations to technical issues.ย Prepare reports and case studies, as required, for submission to global meetings (e.g. CBD COP).The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.ย ย
Competencies
Core competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsย Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityPeople Management competencies:ย
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.ย ยCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction & Strategy ย ย ย ย
Business Development ย ย ย ย
Knowledge Facilitation. Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchangeยBusiness Management ย ย ย ย
Project Management. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals. ย Communication. 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 Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channelsยPartnership Management ย ย ย ย
Relationship Management. Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understandingยย
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Environment/Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity, Political Studies, Economics, Finance, or related 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:
Minimum 5 years (with masterโs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience in providing financial management advisory services, and/or managing staff and operational systems. Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS. Proven experience in collaborating with international and national experts and institutions.ย Proven Knowledge of key software packages (MS Office)ย Proven previous experience in drafting reports on environment related policies writing and communication skills.ย Proven ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations.ย Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.ย Experience with environmental issues or biodiversity.ย Previous experience with expenditure reviews. ย Demonstrated experience with the government.ย Previous experience with expenditure reviews.ยRequired Languages:
Fluency in English is required.ย Fluency in Fijian and/or Fiji Hindi is required. Fluency in additional UN languages is an added advantage.ย
Equal 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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