Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges. Learn more at undp.org.

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 is a long-term development partner of the Maldives. In the Upper Middle-Income Country context, UNDP country office in Maldives provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Government of Maldives in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society. In Maldives, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Maldives and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Strategic Action Plan and 20-year National Development Plan. 

In the current Country Programme cycle 2022 – 2026(https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/CPD%20Maldives.pdf), UNDP has significantly shifted its programme offer to Maldives around 3 pillars supported by a diverse funding base from government finance, bilateral and multilateral donors, blended and innovative finance, etc.: (i) Integrated Governance Programme focusing on justice sector reform, decentralization and local governance with youth, gender and people with disabilities’ participation; (ii) climate and nature actions for resilient communities, (iii) SDG finance and fiscal spacing, to enable Maldives to achieve sustainable development by eradicating inequality and poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock. Currently, UNDP Maldives is in the process of formulating the new Country Programme 2027 – 2031 in consultation with the Government of Maldives, stakeholders, partners and civil societies in the Maldives.

UNDP is looking for individuals who have analytical, technical and partnership capabilities that can manage,  implement and grow a portfolio of sustainable public finance projects, initiatives and/or outputs on a day-to-day basis effectively, deliver results and contribute to the Country Programme to strengthen public financial management systems and to create enabling environment (policies, legislation and/or institutions) to catalyse public and innovative blended finance.  We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated and committed to making a positive contribution to sustainable development in the Maldives.  

Under the direct supervision and guidance from the Economist and overall direction of the senior management, the Public Finance Policy Analyst provides analytical, technical advisory and portfolio management services to UNDP Maldives, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work for successful and timely management and delivery of advisory services and technical outputs and activities. The Public Finance Policy Analyst will take the lead in managing and growing UNDP portfolio in sustainable public finance including (1) UNDP’s Public Finance for SDGs programme, (2) Climate Finance Network, (3) Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and several financing initiatives for strengthening capital and financial markets in the Maldives. 

S/He will collaborate closely with key Government partners, most notably, the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority and the Maldives Monetary Authority in implementing these initiatives. S/He will work closely with counterparts on issues of policy development, planning and research and work with both the Policy and Programme clusters of UNDP including Bangkok Regional Hub, Global Policy Network and HQ enabling a strong team response to the challenges faced by Maldives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Economist, the Public Finance Policy Analyst provides leadership and day to day management of the Sustainable Public Finance portfolio delivered through technical advisory and development services, and project implementation. Public Finance Policy Analyst will also work in collaboration with the Operations, Programme and Project staff in the CO, government counterparts, and project stakeholders, to exchange information and ensure consistent services delivery.

Under the direct supervision of the Economist and overall guidance of senior management, the Public Finance Policy Analyst will ensure effective and timely delivery of the following key functions that contributes to the successful implementation of Country Programme.

Summary of Key Functions: 

  1. Lead and manage the sustainable public finance portfolio of projects in the Economist Unit, focusing on effective, result-based and risk-informed project management and quality control including gender and disability inclusion into the portfolio.
  2. Provide and contribute to the policy and technical advisory services in the area of sustainable public finance.
  3. Develop and lead in the strategic partnerships and integrated pipeline development in the area and/or nexus of sustainable public finance, and other thematic areas such as blue economy, climate resilience, disaster risk resilience, governance, etc.; especially with relevant state and non-state partners in contribution to the Country Programme.
  4. Lead and manage knowledge building and production within the portfolio of projects.

1. Lead and manage the sustainable public finance portfolio of initiatives / projects in Economist Unit, focusing on effective, result-based and risk-informed project management and quality control including gender and disability inclusion into the portfolio:

  • Lead the implementation of the Unit’s portfolio of sustainable public finance initiatives / projects and ensuring that all portfolio outcomes, outputs and activities delivered through projects and/or development services are implemented and achieved as per approved Project Documents, multi-year and annual work plans. 
  • Ensure all Programme and Project Management (PPM) requirements in the UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) are fully executed in the portfolio management and projects’ implementation to achieve project results and ensure full compliance through coordination and collaboration with Management and Oversight Unit. 
  • Deliver and report on the technical outputs and activities related to sustainable public finance under the integrated development initiatives / projects led by relevant Programme Unit. 
  • Plan and manage procurement and contract management of technical expertise under the portfolio including preparation of terms of reference, provision of technical supervision and guidance. 
  • Ensure that bottlenecks related to portfolio and project implementation are resolved with appropriate adaptive and/or corrective measures, including seeking support from Programme, Operations and/or Management & Oversight teams as well as engaging relevant stakeholders and partners to resolve the national and local challenges.
  • Manage and/or implement portfolio’s gender action plan(s) with CO’s Gender Focal Point/Team and portfolio partners.
  • Prepare, monitor and/or update the Project Risk Registers regularly in hardcopy and in UNDP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to ensure project risks are managed effectively with adaptive and corrective measures.

2. Provide and contribute to the policy and technical advisory services in the area of sustainable public finance:

  • Work closely with relevant units and provide technical inputs on the application of sensemaking, horizon scanning, design thinking, and relevant innovative approaches and tools in the development and design of the integrated development projects.
  • Conduct targeted policy research and/or analytical work in sustainable public finance for development, which will inform UNDP CO’s strategic positioning and programming work.
  • Support the Economist in relevant analytical and policy-oriented work and contribute to technical reports on economics and sustainable public finance related topics.
  • Draft internal UNDP briefing notes and talking points for Senior Management on sustainable public finance portfolio.
  • Conduct regular briefing sessions to UNDP senior management and all staff, UN Country Team and/or relevant stakeholders or partners on the trends, outlooks and opportunities in sustainable public finance for development.

3. Develop and lead in the strategic partnerships and integrated pipeline development in the area and/or nexus of sustainable public finance, and other thematic areas such as blue economy, climate resilience, disaster risk resilience, governance, etc.; especially with relevant state and non-state partners in contribution to the Country Programme.

  • Conduct research and analysis to identify trends, needs, gaps, and opportunities for the new and strategic programming opportunities. 
  • Provide regular advice, analysis and reporting to the Economist Unit and overall UNDP Country Office Management on strategic opportunities. Keep management informed of key issues, concerns, and trends to ensure close alignment between project formulation and national expectations.
  • Develop and maintain strategic working relationships with government, think tanks, financial institutions, academic institutions, development partners, SME development agencies and others to expand sustainable public finance portfolio.
  • Explore and establish programming, partnership and resource mobilization opportunities through stakeholders mapping and active engagement with relevant stakeholders and partners. 
  • Ensure sound application of UNDP programming standards in the development and formulation of the new pipeline of projects under the portfolio. 
  • Ensure the development and implementation of detailed work plan including technical inputs, human resource and financial resource requirements to support the development and design of new projects.
  • Coordinate consultation(s) / meeting(s) / workshop(s) between UNDP Country Office programme & operations team, UNDP Global Policy Network, relevant technical expertise and key stakeholders on the project formulation to gather input and feedback on project proposals ensuring timely follow up.

4. Lead and manage  knowledge building and management within the portfolio of projects:

  • Contribute to the development of portfolio knowledge products based on lessons learned, experiences and data generated through project implementation and/or development services,
  • Provide policy / technical inputs to UNDP Global and Country Office’s knowledge products including policy brief, white paper, reports, etc., UN Common Country Analysis, etc.
  • Participate and contribute actively to UNDP knowledge networks and communities of practice.
  • Identify, write and communicate success stories, best practices and lessons learnt from relevant technical advisory services, initiatives and projects, and ensure proper documentation and dissemination.
  • Work with UNDP Country Office’s Communications Unit and Programme team(s) on the implementation of Country Office’s and Projects’ Communications and Advocacy Strategies and Plans.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

  • Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
  • Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
  • Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy     

  • Entrepreneurial Thinking: Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.
  • 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 

Business Development    

  • Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. 

Business Management    

  • Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals 
  • Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Partnership Management

  • Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.

Policy and Programme    

  • 2030 Agenda: Partnerships SDG Finance: Public Finance for the SDGs, Budgeting for the SDGs; Enabling Environment and INFFs Integrated National Financing Frameworks and Portfolios Governance and Coordination for the Financing of the SDGs; Data Science for Integrated Policy Integrated Policy Economic Forecasting International Financial Institutions 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Public Administration, Public Financial Management, Development Studies or related field is required, or 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

  • Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, and/or hands-on experience in portfolio and project development and management.

Required skills and competencies:

  • Experience in portfolio and project management including coordination, financial management, risk management and partnership management.
  • Relevant experience in programming for public finance. 
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.). 

Desired additional skills and competencies:

  • Good networking abilities and partnership development
  • Experience in working in the development sector (national and/or international) .
  • Experience working with public and/or financial institutions, and/or private sector.
  • Experience in handling web-based management systems such as UNDP ERP, Quantum, and SharePoint
  • Experience in executing and timely delivery of projects.
  • Experience and knowledge of UNDP and/or Government of Maldives’ public finance landscape including policies, rules and/or regulations.

Required Languages:

  • Proficiency in English and Dhivehi (as national language) is required. 
  • Working knowledge of other UN language is desirable

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. 

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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.

Scam alert

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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