Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is a global programme launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2012 to support countries in addressing biodiversity finance gaps through systematic analysis and the identification of innovative, scalable financing solutions. BIOFIN supports Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) by strengthening the economic case for biodiversity conservation and enabling countries to mobilize public and private finance for nature-positive outcomes at the national level.

In Zambia, BIOFIN has been implemented in two distinct phases. Phase I (2015–2021) focused on rolling out the BIOFIN methodology to establish a robust analytical foundation for biodiversity finance. This phase successfully delivered the Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER), Policy and Institutional Review (PIR), Finance Needs Assessment, and culminated in the development of Zambia’s Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP). These outputs provided the first comprehensive assessment of biodiversity financing needs, institutional constraints, and potential finance solutions to address the national biodiversity finance gap.

Phase II (2022–present) has focused on the implementation of priority finance solutions identified in the BFP, with an emphasis on systems-level reform and private-sector mobilization. During this phase, BIOFIN has played a central role in supporting the development of Zambia’s Green Finance Taxonomy, including a corresponding tagging and reporting framework for the financial sector, in close collaboration with the Government of Zambia through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. BIOFIN has also supported the development of Zambia’s green bond market, working closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission to strengthen the policy and regulatory environment for green bond issuance, including the development of national green bond guidelines.

In addition, BIOFIN is an active member of the Green Finance Mainstreaming Working Group, contributing to broader efforts to advance Zambia’s green finance agenda. The initiative is currently supporting the development of a Green Finance Strategy and advancing additional financing solutions aimed at closing the biodiversity and nature finance gap, including work on nature-related financial risks, protected area financing, blended finance mechanisms, and other innovative instruments to crowd in public and private investment for nature in Zambia.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the BIOFIN Country Team Lead / Technical Specialist for Biodiversity Financing, the Biodiversity Finance Analyst – Public and Financial Sector will provide analytical, coordination, and operational support to the implementation of BIOFIN Phase II in Zambia. The role will support the design, advancement, and delivery of biodiversity and green finance initiatives through research, stakeholder engagement, policy support, and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of work includes the following areas: 

A. Provision of Analytical Support and Research:

  • Undertake data mining, desk research, and analytical work to support biodiversity finance, green finance, and related policy processes, including climate change and land degradation;
  • Support the preparation of background analyses, briefs, and evidence to inform policy formulation, financing solutions, and stakeholder engagement;
  • Assist in updating and maintaining datasets and analytical inputs required for BIOFIN knowledge products and financing initiatives.

B. Support to Biodiversity and Green Finance Initiatives:

  • Support the BIOFIN Team Lead in the design, development, and operationalization of biodiversity and green finance solutions aligned with Zambia’s Biodiversity Finance Plan and green finance agenda;
  • Assist in analyzing policy and financing options to promote biodiversity investment and inform public expenditure and budgetary decisions related to ecosystems and natural resources;
  • Provide technical and administrative support to ongoing initiatives related to green finance, nature-related financial risks, and other priority financing solutions.

C. Ensure Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

  • Support consultations and engagement with key stakeholders, including government institutions, financial sector actors, development partners, academia, and civil society;
  • Assist in organizing and preparing for meetings, workshops, consultations, and outreach events, including preparation of materials and documentation of outcomes;
  • Support coordination with relevant platforms and working groups, including those linked to Zambia’s green finance and biodiversity policy processes.

D. Facilitate Knowledge Products and Communication:

  • Support the preparation of reports, policy notes, presentations, and communication materials to convey BIOFIN objectives, progress, and results to stakeholders;
  • Contribute to the documentation of lessons learned, good practices, and emerging insights from BIOFIN implementation;
  • Assist in strengthening the visibility and positioning of BIOFIN through technical content and stakeholder-facing materials.

E. Provide Reporting and Programme Support:

  • Support periodic reporting to key stakeholders, including the BIOFIN Global Team, UNDP Country Office, Government counterparts, and relevant working groups;
  • Assist with internal coordination, planning, and administrative processes required for effective implementation of BIOFIN Phase II;
  • Provide programme and operational support to the BIOFIN Team Lead to ensure timely delivery of planned activities and outputs. 

F. Cross Cutting Requirement:

  • Undertake any other tasks, as may be reasonably required, to support the effective and smooth implementation of the BIOFIN programme.

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 Biodiversity Finance Analyst – Public and Financial Sector will be under the direct supervision of the Technical Specialist for Biodiversity (Team Leader) and ultimately the UNDP Zambia Country Office Energy & Environment Head of Unit and the Regional Technical Advisor for Africa Region BIOFIN.

Competencies

Core

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplify processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature

  • Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme: Nature-positive economy and Biodiversity Finance.

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 Development: Collective Intelligence Design

  • Ability to design, lead or manage processes that help a collective to become smarter together by bringing together diverse groups of people, data, and technology; 
  • Ability to define and articulate why and how collective intelligence can add value to development programming (understanding problems; finding solutions; decision making and mobilizing action; monitoring progress in real time, learning and adapting) Being able to integrate different types of data (real- time, ‘ground-truth’ and novel data) to unlock fresh insights;
  • Understand guidelines and principles around data privacy, ethics and protection. Increase diversity of inputs – and look beyond the ‘usual suspects’;
  • Ability to navigate and manage a variety of actors, appreciate the diversity in perspectives, opinions, expertise;
  • Ability to facilitate platforms or sessions where people can contribute by providing their views and ideas independently and freely. 
  • Being people-centred: ensure people understand and can determine how their data is used. Feedback inputs and insights to empower people.

Digital: Data Governance

  • Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies.

Digital: Data Collection:

  • Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Business Management or a closely related field is required. OR
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 
  • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in sustainable finance, capital markets, banking, corporate finance, public finance, or natural resource or environmental management.

Desired Skills:

  • Proven experience collaborating with international and national experts, institutions, and a diverse range of stakeholders;
  • Strong analytical and research experience, with the ability to synthesize data and evidence to support policy and financing discussions;
  • Experience in standard software packages, including MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams in a professional environment;
  • Good organizational and coordination experience, with the ability to support multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously;
  • Exposure to environmental, biodiversity, natural resource management, or green finance issues;
  • Previous experience supporting expenditure reviews, budget analysis, or public finance–related analytical work (e.g. environmental or biodiversity expenditure reviews) is an asset;
  • Familiarity with government systems, policy processes, and institutional arrangements is strongly desired;
  • Experience supporting consultations, workshops, or stakeholder engagement processes involving government, financial sector actors, or development partners;
  • Proven experience in drafting or contributing to reports, policy notes, analytical briefs, or background papers related to environmental or sustainability policy;
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, well-structured publications, reports, and presentations for technical and non-technical audiences;
  • Exposure to sustainable finance, green finance, ESG, or related concepts is an added advantage;
  • Ability to work with a degree of initiative while remaining responsive to guidance from senior technical staff;
  • Demonstrated ability to support policy analysis and formulation processes related to environment, biodiversity, climate, or sustainable finance.

Required Language(s):

  • Fluency in English is required.

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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