Project Lead and Senior Public Finance Expert (BIOFIN) - NPSA10

Background

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.

National governments have demonstrated clear commitment to fulfilling their mandates for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in ways that are compatible with national development goals, and to finding a diverse range of funding sources for biodiversity management. UNDP believes that a transformation is needed in the way that biodiversity finance is planned and managed, to unlock resources to meet the Aichi Targets defined in the CBD’s Strategic Plan 2011-2020 in a manner that promotes sustainable development and the eradication of poverty. In this context, at COP-11 in October 2012, UNDP and the European Commission (EC) launched a new partnership project 'Building Transformative Policy and Financing Frameworks to Increase Investment in Biodiversity Management' (BIOFIN) that seeks to build a sound business case for increased investment in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity at the national level.

Guided by a global steering committee representing the partners, BIOFIN developed a methodology for quantifying the biodiversity finance gap at national level, for improving cost-effectiveness through mainstreaming of biodiversity into national development and sectoral planning, and for developing comprehensive national resource mobilizing strategies. BIOFIN will thus provide a framework for undertaking “bottom-up” analyses and resource mobilization strategies, embedded in a transformative process led by national stakeholders, aimed at allowing countries to implement their NBSAPs and achieve national biodiversity targets. BIOFIN project for Botswana has finalized the Policy and Institutional Review (PIR), Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER) as well as the Financial Needs Assessments (FNA) which were used in developing the Biodiversity Finance Plan(BFP). The initiative was extended to phase II (2021-2025), to support implementation of some of the recommended finance solutions. 

In Botswana the project will work with the global BIOFIN team on the following components:

Implementation of the Biodiversity Finance Plan at national level: The second phase of the work shall focus on implementation of the identified and recommended finance solutions. These could range from laws and regulations, taxes and fees, identification of legal thresholds, removal of perverse incentives, detailed feasibility study and implementation plan for a new financial mechanism, certification processes, public-private-partnerships, voluntary agreements, awareness raising campaigns, behavior change through education and training measures etc. Based on the type and amount of expenditures identified as necessary and the national context, relevant elements will be identified and developed for national circumstances in terms of existing policies and regulations.

Scope of work:

The Project Lead and Senior Public Finance Expert will report to the UNDP Country Office and the BIOFIN Central Technical Unit.

The Project Lead and Senior Public Finance Expert will be the overall leader and spokesperson of BIOFIN at the national level. S/he is expected to have senior experience and to provide substantial technical expertise in assuring horizontal integration and consistency of workstreams/studies, as well as quality assurance of national products and processes throughout the duration of the national project. S/he will also specifically be responsible for the delivery of the public finance elements of the Biodiversity Finance Plan in addition to outreach activities to national (Government, academia, etc.) and relevant international stakeholders, and the preparation of press releases and briefing notes for Government, UNDP etc. Key duties and responsibilities will include:

a) Managerial:

• Coordinate and manage BIOFIN implementation at national level, ensuring activities are carried out on time and within planned budget;
• In consultation with the UNDP Country Office and BIOFIN Central Technical Unit and supported by the Project Management Officer, elaborate/revise work plan, reporting schedule and budget;
• Assist with the identification and selection of national consultants and experts, in close collaboration with the UNDP Country Office and the BIOFIN Central Technical Unit;
• Supervise the work of national experts and institutions to ensure that outputs are delivered on time, on budget, and to high quality standards;
• Work closely with the Project Management Officer to ensure administrative requirements are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner;
• Support the formulation and management of the National BIOFIN Steering/Advisory Committee;
• Establish and maintain links with other national and international programmes and projects;
• Lead project monitoring, reporting and evaluation at national level;
• Lead capturing and documenting of lessons from project implementation and make recommendations to the National Steering/Advisory Committee for more effective implementation of activities;
• Prepare BIOFIN progress reports (substantive and financial) regularly for UNDP and project partners.

b) Project Outreach and Communication:

• Engage national stakeholders and strongly position BIOFIN objectives and processes towards relevant government departments and partner institutions, to catalyze transformational outcomes;
• Ensure collaboration of counterparts on data and information provision, expert review and verification;
• Work with national and international counterparts, NGOs and other groups to ensure effective coordination and communication of BIOFIN project objectives and activities;
• Organize national workshops;
• Edit, print and publish final Summary for Policy Makers. Publicize and promote the results and impacts of BIOFIN at national level;
• Prepare detailed reports and analyses of national BIOFIN project results and impacts for project end.

c) Technical Leadership and Support:

• Provide key technical leadership on Public Finance and substantial technical expertise in assuring horizontal integration and consistency of workstreams/studies;
• Provide technical support and overall coordination to the national BIOFIN team to complete BIOFIN deliverables in a consistent manner; provide quality assurance of national products;
• Ensure that drafts of the work are sent to the BIOFIN team regularly to provide backstopping;
• Facilitate coordination of national BIOFIN and NBSAP processes for mutual reinforcement.

Institutional arrangement

The Project Lead and Senior Public Finance Expert (BIOFIN) will work under the overall guidance of the Programme Specialist - Environment & Climate Change.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Result: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management

• Results-based Management
  • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Resource Management
  • Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity.
• Communication
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience;
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Finance

• Financial planning and budgeting
  • Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting.

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness

• Effectiveness
  • open.undp.org and publication of data

Digital & Innovation

• Co-creation
  • Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together;
  • Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into to them as a source for creativity;
  • Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.

Requirements:

Education

• Master’s degree in environmental economics, financial management, or natural/environmental sciences, social sciences or other related field.
• Bachelor's degree in relevant field with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

 Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Minimum 5 years (Master's degree) or 7 years (Bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in management or public or private sector finance, sustainable development/environmental finance, resource mobilization, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management preferably at senior level in government;
• Experience in dealing with international and national experts and institutions;
• Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity desirable, but not required; 
• Knowledge of Results-Based Management and Reporting is desirable;
• Sound understanding of key software packages (MS Office);
• Familiarity with government strongly desired;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
• Excellent financial and budgetary skills;
• Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations;
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team;
• Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under short deadlines;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Able to work independently with little or no supervision;
• Familiarity with government strongly desired.

Language

• Proficiency in English language (spoken and written).

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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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