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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Belize Country Office (CO) implements its programme through two core portfolios, including the Nature, Climate and Energy (NCE) portfolio, which supports national priorities on climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable natural resource management under the UNDP Country Programme.  The NCE Programme Unit works to advance integrated, forward-looking solutions that strengthen resilience, promote sustainable development pathways, and support Belize in addressing the growing impacts of climate change and ecosystem degradation. UNDP supports national partners in designing and implementing programmes that move beyond short-term interventions toward systemic change, combining policy support, institutional strengthening, and investment solutions.
Within this framework, the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is a global partnership led by UNDP that supports countries to address the biodiversity finance challenge through a structured, evidence-based methodology. BIOFIN aims to assess biodiversity finance needs and gaps, identify opportunities for resource mobilization, and develop and implement finance solutions that increase investment in biodiversity, improve efficiency of expenditures, and reduce harmful financial flows.
The BIOFIN programme in Belize is implemented in close collaboration with the Government of Belize, particularly the National Biodiversity Office (NBIO), which serves as the national coordinating body responsible for advancing implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025–2035. The NBSAP outlines national targets for biodiversity conservation, restoration, and sustainable use, and emphasizes the need for strengthened financing mechanisms to support implementation at scale. Under BIOFIN Belize, key activities follow the global methodology and include Biodiversity Finance Policy and Institutional Review (PIR), Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER), Financial Needs Assessment (FNA), and Development and implementation of the Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP).  These components collectively support the identification and prioritization of finance solutions that align national biodiversity targets with sustainable finance strategies, while contributing to relevant Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action and life on land.
As the programme transitions to a new phase, BIOFIN Belize is undergoing a restructuring to respond to evolving funding constraints and to strengthen its focus on implementation and scaling of biodiversity finance solutions. This includes a stronger oversight and leadership of UNDP and integration of BIOFIN within the NBIO institutional framework.
In this context, priority areas for BIOFIN Belize include supporting the operationalization of a national Green/Biodiversity and Climate Finance Framework, strengthening financial resilience of protected areas through business planning and resource mobilization, and leveraging data and evidence to inform policy and investment decisions. The BIOFIN programme plays a catalytic role within the broader UNDP Belize portfolio by supporting national efforts to mobilize public and private finance, enhance institutional capacity, and integrate biodiversity considerations across economic and development planning processes. The programme contributes directly to national priorities and positions Belize to access and effectively utilize climate and biodiversity finance at scale.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Belize Country Office and direct supervision of the Programme Lead for Nature, Climate and Energy, the National BIOFIN Coordinator will provide leadership, technical oversight, and operational management of the BIOFIN programme in Belize. The coordinator is accountable for the delivery of programme results, ensuring that all activities are implemented in accordance with approved workplans, budgets, timelines, and UNDP and BIOFIN quality standards.
The coordinator will work in close collaboration with the National Biodiversity Office (NBIO), Government of Belize, UNDP programme and operations teams, the BIOFIN Global Team, and a wide range of stakeholders to ensure effective coordination, delivery, and sustainability of biodiversity finance outcomes.
A) Programme Management and Implementation
  • In consultation with the UNDP Country Office and Global BIOFIN Team elaborate/revise the work plan and budget and submit draft workplans/budgets timely for the bi-annual budget revision process (30 June and 31 December of each year).
  • Organise all relevant project workshops in a consultative manner, involving a wide variety of biodiversity finance stakeholders, including the government, private sector, NGOs, donors and academia.
  • Liaise with the Ministries of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management (MSDCCSWM), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Economic Transformation (MET) and other key stakeholders the establishment of a National Steering Committee (NSC) and follow up on the formal establishment and regular convening of the Committee, undertake the same for any other proposed coordination mechanism, and write meeting reports to be shared with the UNDP CO, BIOFIN global and NBIO.
  • Ensure a timely identification of risks in implementation at the national level and communication to the global BIOFIN team.
  • Organise bi-monthly meetings of the national team and monthly calls with the Senior Advisor from the global BIOFIN Team. Ensure participation of national BIOFIN Team members in regional technical calls.
  • Ensure the participation of a representative delegation from the Belize in regional and global workshops.
  • Oversee day-to-day coordination of programme activities, ensuring alignment with national priorities, UNDP procedures, and BIOFIN global methodology.
  • Ensure that all activities, including technical studies, consultations, and outputs, are delivered on time and meet required quality standards.
B) Leadership of BIOFIN Technical Components and Finance Solutions
  • Oversee and ensure quality delivery of all BIOFIN technical components, including PIR, BER, FNA, and the Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP).
  • Lead the development, prioritization, and implementation of biodiversity finance solutions, ensuring alignment with national biodiversity targets and financing needs.
  • Ensure coherence across all technical outputs and alignment with the BIOFIN methodology, including validation and quality assurance of deliverables.
  • Coordinate contributions of technical experts and consultants, ensuring outputs are integrated, practical, and implementation ready.
C) Coordination, Partnerships, and Institutional Strengthening
  • Establish and support effective coordination mechanisms, including the National Steering Committee and technical working groups, ensuring they are operational and regularly convened.
  • Facilitate strong collaboration with key government ministries (including Finance and Environment), private sector, civil society, academia, and development partners.
  • Engage in national policy processes to support integration and mainstreaming of BIOFIN outputs and recommendations into national systems.
  • Strengthen institutional arrangements for biodiversity finance, including supporting coordination structures, systems, and processes for long-term sustainability.
D) Team Leadership and Operational Management
  • Oversee the recruitment, supervision, and performance of national consultants, experts, and project support personnel, ensuring effective team functioning and delivery.
  • Oversee the work of the Finance and Biodiversity Project Associate to ensure administrative requirements are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations.
  • Support the UNDP CO to ensure compliance with UNDP administrative, financial, and procurement procedures.
  • Organize and lead regular national team meetings and coordinate engagement with the BIOFIN Global Team through scheduled calls and technical exchanges.
  • Ensure clear communication, coordination, and collaboration within the project team and among all partners.
E) Planning, Monitoring, Reporting, and Knowledge Management
  • Signal any delays in national deliverables compared to the workplan to the UNDP Country Office.
  • Lead project monitoring, reporting and evaluation at national level, draft monthly and quarterly reports for review by the lead expert and submission to the global BIOFIN 
  • team.
  • Develop workshop reports for all technical workshops.
  • Develop briefing notes, case studies, press releases, web articles and other media products as required.
  • Assist with research and write and edit sections of technical reports as required.
  • Review all national level deliverables to ensure quality and consistency with the BIOFIN methodology.
F) Stakeholder Engagement, Advocacy, and Resource Mobilization
  • Organize and facilitate stakeholder consultations, workshops, and dialogues in a participatory and inclusive manner.
  • Advocate for BIOFIN recommendations and biodiversity finance solutions at national and sectoral levels.
  • Identify opportunities for partnerships and resource mobilization, including engagement with donors and development partners.
  • Support development of funding proposals, investment concepts, and partnerships to scale biodiversity finance solutions.
  • Organize a donor meeting to identify programs and activities within the PBSAP suitable for ODA funding.
  • Advocate for BIOFIN recommendations at all levels.
G) Knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy
  • Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
  • Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
  • Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues.
  • Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders and communications staff.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Belize Country Office and with direct supervision of the Programme Lead for the Nature, Climate and Energy Portfolio, the National Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination and implementation of the BIOFIN Programme activities in Belize.
The National Coordinator will work under UNDP's performance management and accountability framework. To ensure effective coordination and alignment with national biodiversity priorities, the National Coordinator will maintain a close working relationship with the National Biodiversity Office (NBIO) and other relevant government stakeholders, while remaining accountable to UNDP for the delivery of BIOFIN outputs, outcomes, and workplan targets. 
The position will operate through a blended work arrangement, with dedicated time allocated between the UNDP Belize Country Office and the National Biodiversity Office to facilitate collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and integration of BIOFIN activities into national biodiversity planning and financing processes. 
The National Coordinator will work closely with the National Biodiversity Office, relevant government ministries and agencies, development partners, and the UNDP BIOFIN Global Team to ensure timely implementation of programme activities and the achievement of BIOFIN objectives. While supporting broader national biodiversity initiatives where appropriate, the National Coordinator shall prioritize the delivery of BIOFIN programme outputs and results in accordance with approved workplans and donor requirements.
Competencies
Core Competencies
  • ACHIEVE RESULTS - LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
  • THINK INNOVATEVELY - 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 Competencies
  • BUSINESS DIRECTION & STRATEGY
    • STRATEGIC THINKING: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions -Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP
  • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
    • MONITORING & EVALUATION: 


Technical Competencies

  • PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT
    • RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, public administration, natural resource management, including water/land management, biodiversity, climate change, environmental finance, environmental economics, environmental studies or related field is required, OR
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields 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 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 at the national and/or international level  in economics, finance, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, environmental management, environmental finance, environmental economics.
Additional desirable criteria:
  • At least 2 years of experience working with international organizations, ministries, national or provincial institutions that are concerned with finance, natural resources, environmental management, environmental finance, environmental economics.
  • At least 2 years of project/programme management experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in project/programme management, preferably within a development organization, government institution, or international organization.
  • Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), including advanced spreadsheet and database management skills.
  • Experience using web-based management systems and social media platforms.
  • Proven bility to gather, analyze, and process data and information effectively.
  • Excellent written, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and coordinates diverse stakeholders and facilitate meetings and workshops.
  • Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and maintain effective professional relationships with colleagues, partners, and clients.
  • Demonstrated ability to share knowledge, collaborate effectively, and contribute to team results.
  • Knowledge and experience in gender mainstreaming.
  • Prior experience with UNDP Project management and/or implementation.
  • Strong leadership, managerial and coordination skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate the implementation of large multi stakeholder projects, including financial and technical aspects.
  • Proven ability to effectively manage technical and administrative teams, work with a wide range of stakeholders across various sectors and at all levels, to develop durable partnerships with collaborating agencies.
  • Proven ability to coordinate and supervise multiple Project Implementation Units in their implementation of technical activities in partnership with a variety of stakeholder groups, including community and government.
  • Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills/experience.
  • Willingness to travel as appropriate.
Languages:
  • Fluency in English language is required.
  • Knowledge of other UN language is an advantage.
Important applicant information
All posts in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.
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.
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