Sustainable Finance Specialist

Result of ServiceUnder the general supervision of the Chief of the Financing for Development Section (FfDS), Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division (MPFD), as well as in coordination with the Economic Affairs Officer responsible for relevant activities, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: 1. Output 1. Undertake research and analytical work on Asia Pacific member states' obligations regarding the Sevilla Commitment and produce recommendations to inform capacity-building and technical assistance activities for member States. • Deliverable: Contribute to preparatory research for two reports, including literature reviews, data compilation, and background analysis that strengthen evidence-based policy recommendations for capacity-building advisory services to member States. Delivery date: Throughout the contract, but anticipated to be mostly in the first six months. 2. Output 2. Oversee technical assistance and capacity-building activities with 3 selected member States in Asia-Pacific on sustainable finance (e.g., through engagement with central banks and financial regulators). • Deliverable: Provide research and coordination of activities under three ongoing country-level capacity building initiatives undertaken by the section such as the Greening the Bank of Mongolia activity, and organise peer-learning and knowledge-sharing sessions designed to strengthen institutional capacity for sustainable finance implementation. Delivery date: Throughout the contract. 3. Output 3. Organise and deliver capacity-building workshops and events • Deliverable: Plan and organise ESCAP regional capacity building events, including background preparation, logistical coordination, drafting of concept notes, proposals, and outcome summaries to enhance regional knowledge exchange and policy dialogue. Delivery date: Throughout the contract. 4. Output 4. Strengthen the linkage between knowledge generation and technical cooperation across ESCAP’s Financing for Development work. • Deliverable: Contribute to the synthesis of research findings into knowledge products (e.g., policy briefs, presentation materials, toolkits and background notes) to inform regional and national capacity-building initiatives. Disseminate and integrate lessons learned from ESCAP’s advisory work into future training and technical assistance activities. Delivery date: Throughout the contract. Work LocationBased in Bangkok Expected durationFrom 20 December 2025 to 30 October 2026 Duties and Responsibilities1. Purpose. The Asia and the Pacific region currently faces a widening SDG financing gap, estimated between USD 2.5 trillion and USD 4 trillion annually, growing public debt burdens, and limited access to affordable long-term finance. These challenges are compounded by climate change, global uncertainty, and tightening financial conditions. The outcome of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville reaffirmed the urgent need to mobilize and align all sources of finance to advance the 2030 Agenda, calling for reforms to the international financial architecture and stronger regional mechanisms to support national implementation. Within this context, ESCAP’s Financing for Development Section plays a critical role in helping build the capacity of member States to operationalize FFD4 outcomes through economic analysis, capacity building workshops that use this economic analysis, policy advice, and capacity building regarding innovative finance instruments in support of member states’ commitments in the Sevilla Commitment. This consultancy will strengthen the Section’s efforts to support capacity building for sustainable finance across key priority areas including green finance, sustainable capital market development and sustainable financial sector development as well as support to member states on building capacity on new obligations of such member states in the Sevilla Commitment. These areas are interlinked: achieving SDG-aligned and inclusive growth requires deep and liquid sustainable capital markets to mobilize investment, robust financial institutions that can channel funds efficiently, and coherent policy frameworks that align private finance with national sustainable development priorities. The consultant will undertake economic and financial analysis, deliver capacity building workshops and provide technical assistance that contribute to coherent, actionable financing strategies and policy reforms aligned with the Sevilla outcome document and the Financing for Development follow-up process. The consultancy will also contribute to ESCAP’s mandate to enable member States to design, implement, and monitor financing strategies that are resilient, inclusive, and responsive to other emerging regional challenges. Through research, policy advice, and coordination with governments, regulators, and development partners, the assignment will strengthen institutional capacities and foster collaboration across public and private sectors to unlock sustainable investment at scale. 2. Objective. The objective of this consultancy is to design and deliver economic analyses, linked with capacity-building activities, for selected member States to mobilise additional financing in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In doing so, the consultant will work to strengthen the linkage between technical assistance to selected member States and available knowledge in financing policies. This is in line with subprogramme 1 of ESCAP to strengthen the capacity of member States to achieve resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic development in Asia and the Pacific. Qualifications/special skills- Postgraduate degree in an area related to economics, public policy, commerce, business, finance, sustainable finance or related fields. - At least seven (7) years of substantial experience in the field of sustainable finance. - Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to translate complex financial and policy issues into actionable recommendations and knowledge products for capacity building purposes. - A demonstrated track record in designing or implementing innovative financing strategies or projects related to sustainable finance is preferred. - Experience in providing policy advice, technical assistance, or capacity-building support to governments, central banks, or financial regulators in developing countries, preferably within the Asia-Pacific region is desirable. - Experience in inter-organisational coordination and partnership development with development partners, multilateral development banks, development financial institutions or private-sector stakeholders on sustainable finance initiatives is desirable. LanguagesIt is essential that the consultant have an excellent command of the English language and should have demonstrated their ability to communicate results effectively Additional InformationTotal USD 71k for eleven (11) months upon submission and acceptance of eleven (11) monthly reports on performed activities and outputs, based on the work plan to be established between the supervisor and the consultant. Travel to countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Four missions are planned from Bangkok to the Asia-Pacific region. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.