Biodiversity Finance Consultant (Level C)

UNEP has clearly defined and prioritized Biodiversity Finance niches and thematic areas it is focusing its efforts on and is provided practical ways to operationalize these priorities. A Strategic Plan and actionable recommendations guide the mobilization of GEF funding for Biodiversity Finance in UNEP.

Home-based.

16 weeks within 6 months.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use are central to UNEP’s mandate, alongside action on climate change, land degradation, and pollution. UNEP plays a key role in supporting countries to implement multilateral environmental agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and in translating global biodiversity commitments—such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework—into national policies, strategies, and investment frameworks. Through its normative work, technical assistance, convening power, and partnerships, UNEP supports countries across the policy-to-finance continuum for biodiversity. Despite growing political momentum, the global biodiversity finance gap remains significant, with current public and private financial flows falling far short of what is required to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Closing this gap will require increased public finance, better alignment of existing financial flows with biodiversity objectives, and the mobilization of private and blended finance. It will also require stronger enabling environments, including policy, fiscal, and institutional reforms, to unlock and sustain biodiversity-positive investments at scale. Within this broader context, UNEP engages in biodiversity finance through a range of roles that extend beyond its function as a Global Environment Facility (GEF) Agency. These include policy and economic analysis, support to biodiversity finance planning and reforms, capacity development, knowledge generation, stakeholder convening, and the promotion of innovative and blended finance approaches. UNEP works closely with other UN agencies, international financial institutions, multilateral funds, and non-state actors to support systemic change in how biodiversity is financed. As the GEF enters its ninth replenishment cycle (GEF-9), there is a strategic opportunity for UNEP to strengthen its positioning in biodiversity finance—both as a GEF Agency and as a broader system actor—by clearly articulating its niche, prioritizing areas of comparative advantage, and developing a coherent strategy to mobilize and deploy biodiversity finance in support of global and national objectives. This consultancy will contribute to UNEP’s work under the GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit, Ecosystems Division. Key Responsibilities The Consultant will undertake the following tasks: Task 1: Global Mapping of Biodiversity Finance • Review and map current biodiversity finance initiatives (public, private, blended finance). • Identify key finance commitments, targets, instruments and mechanisms relevant to biodiversity. • Provide a landscape of key actors, funders, intermediaries, and enabling mechanisms. Deliverable 1 – Biodiversity Finance Mapping Report (with database/spreadsheet of programs and actors) Task 2: UN Agency and Other Institutions Engagement Analysis • Review biodiversity finance work within/and outside UN system (e.g., UNDP, FAO, UNEP, UNFCCC/Adaptation Fund/LDCF/SCCF, UNDP-GEF projects, World Bank and other International Financing Institutions and others). • Identify mandates, programs, projects, funding mechanisms, strengths, and comparative advantages. Deliverable 2 – UN Agencies and Other Institutions Biodiversity Finance Landscape Analysis Task 3: Defining UNEP’s Strategic Niche • Analyze UNEP’s current mandate, comparative advantages, programs, partnerships, and technical expertise in biodiversity finance. • Identify areas of complementarity and differentiation relative to other UN agencies and major international actors. • Articulate UNEP’s current and potential future niche(s) in the biodiversity finance ecosystem. Deliverable 3 – UNEP Biodiversity Finance Niche Description Brief Task 4: SWOT Analysis of UNEP’s Biodiversity Finance Engagement • Conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of UNEP’s current and future engagement in biodiversity finance. • Consider internal institutional factors and external policy, market, and funding trends. Deliverable 4 – UNEP Biodiversity Finance SWOT Analysis Report Task 5: Prioritization of UNEP Biodiversity Finance Niche Areas and Operational Pathways Building on the niche definition and SWOT analysis, the consultant will: • Identify and prioritize the specific biodiversity finance thematic areas, instruments, and roles where UNEP should strategically focus its efforts (e.g., policy and enabling environments, public finance reform, blended finance, private sector engagement, biodiversity credits, national biodiversity finance planning, etc.). • Assess each priority area against criteria such as: o Alignment with UNEP mandate and strengths o Relevance to global biodiversity frameworks and country needs o Potential for impact and scalability o Comparative advantage vis-à-vis other UN agencies o Attractiveness for GEF-9 and co-financing • Propose practical and feasible ways UNEP can achieve these priorities, including: o Alignment with UNEP mandate and strengths o Relevance to global biodiversity frameworks and country needs o Potential for impact and scalability o Comparative advantage vis-à-vis other UN agencies o Attractiveness for GEF-9 and co-financing • Propose practical and feasible ways UNEP can achieve these priorities, including: o Programmatic approaches and flagship initiatives o Partnerships (UN system, MDBs, private sector, philanthropies) o Capacity development and technical assistance roles o Knowledge, policy, and convening functions o Internal coordination and institutional requirements Deliverable 5 – UNEP Biodiversity Finance Priority Framework and Implementation Pathways Task 6: Strategy for Mobilizing GEF-9 Resources through UNEP • Develop a strategic framework for mobilizing GEF-9 biodiversity finance resources through UNEP, grounded in the identified priorities. • Define how UNEP can position its prioritized niche areas to attract GEF-9 funding. • Provide recommendations on: o Programming approaches and entry points within GEF-9 o Country and regional engagement strategies o Co-financing and partnership opportunities o Risk management and value proposition for GEF • Include an indicative roadmap with actions, timelines, and success indicators. • Organize, with support, and facilitate a validation workshop of the strategy within UNEP, to ensure that the proposed strategy is endorsed by the relevant internal stakeholders. Deliverable 6 – GEF-9 Biodiversity Finance Resource Mobilization Strategy for UNEP Methodology The consultant is expected to use a mix of: • Desk review of literature, policy documents, project databases, and donor strategies. • Interviews with key UNEP staff and relevant external stakeholders. • Comparative analysis of UN agency approaches. • Synthesis of best practices in biodiversity finance. Reporting & Work Arrangement: The consultant will collaborate closely with members of the UNEP Biodiversity Finance Working Group and will report to Head of the GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit, Biodiversity and Land Branch, Ecosystems Division. Regular check-ins with UNEP focal points and stakeholder consultations with be agreed at inception.

a) A minimum Master's Degree in environmental finance, economics, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, public policy, or related field. Alternatively, a bachelor's degree combined with two years of additional professional and academic experience may be accepted in place of the advanced degree. Work Experience: a) A minimum 7 years of experience in biodiversity finance, environmental economics, or related analytical work is required. b) Experience with UN system, GEF programming, or inter-agency analysis is required. c) Strong analytical, writing, and stakeholder engagement skills are highly desirable. d) Familiarity with innovative finance mechanisms and biodiversity targets (e.g., CBD post-2020, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) is required.

a) English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. b) Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Not available.

THE 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.