Background
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.

The Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) is a global initiative launched in October 2012 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to respond to the needs for detailed national level analysis regarding biodiversity finance and boost the mobilization of financial resources for parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to achieve the Aichi Targets. It is a global partnership seeking to address the biodiversity finance challenge in a comprehensive manner by building a sound business case for increased investments in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity, with a focus on the needs and transformational opportunities at the national level. In Zambia the implementation of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) started in 2015 to support Strategic Intervention #46 of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP-2) aimed at developing a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy for implementation of the NBSAP-2.

One of the key outputs of the BIOFIN initiative in Zambia was to develop a national biodiversity finance plan (BFP) which was aimed at identifying and prioritizing a mix of suitable biodiversity finance solutions to reduce the envisaged biodiversity finance gap in Zambia. These finance solutions are grouped under three categories as follows: Financial Sector reforms, Private sector reforms and the public sector reforms. As part of phase 2 which is focused on implementation, three key finance solutions were prioritized in Zambia’s Biodiversity Finance Plan namely;

(1)     Green Bond Market Development;

(2)     Green finance policy and implementation plan development, as well as;

(3)     Development of Zambia’s green finance tagging and reporting for the financial sector.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The BIOFIN Initiative in Zambia is now in the process of implementing the 3 agreed finance solutions as follows: 
(i) Green Bond Market Development, 
(ii) Development of the Green Finance Policy and Implementation Plan for Zambia’s financial sector, and
(iii) Development of a Green Finance Tagging/reporting system for Zambia’s Financial Sector. To support the implementation of these three finance solutions, the following shall be the duties and responsibilities of the Technical Specialist Biodiversity Financing:
  • Lead and supervise the BIOFIN Zambia team (staff and consultants);
  • Lead engagements with all key stakeholders with a focus on outreach related to the three finance solutions outlined above;
  • Develop strategic linkages and collaborations with similar initiatives and other stakeholders to augment the work and resources of BIOFIN;
  • Lead the coordination and supervision of technical staff and consultants recruited to work on specific finance solutions;
  • Lead the review and provision of technical input into outputs of consultants recruited to work on various finance solutions;
  • Lead the production of outreach products such as policy briefs and working papers in relation to each of the prioritized finance solutions. These are expected to be of high technical quality;
  • Provide resource mobilization ideas in furtherance of BIOFIN Zambia work in Zambia;
  • Lead the fulfillment of accountability requirements to BIOFIN Global , UNDP CO and the Government of Zambia in terms of reporting (technical and financial);
  • Lead the development of technical proposals for other new finance solutions within the biodiversity finance plan;

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 Technical Specialist will be under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the following:

UNDP

  • Technical Advisor on Environmental Finance for the African Region 
  • Head of Unit, Zambia Country Office Energy & Environment Unit

Government of the Republic of Zambia

  • Director Climate Change Department, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment
  • Chief Natural Resources Management Officer, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Competencies
Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight

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


Technical and Cross-functional Competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy:

Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDPs 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 to model what future developments and ways forward look like for UNDP.

Entrepreneurial Thinking: Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.

System 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 Management:

Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

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.

2030 Agenda: Planet: Nature, Climate and Energy:

•           Climate Change Adaptation: livelihoods

•           Climate Change adaptation: Public and private finance for adaptation solutions

•           Climate change Adaptation: Strategies

•           Climate change policies: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)

•           Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Natural Resource Management

•           Energy: Renewable Energy

•           Energy: Energy access

•           Environment: Poverty-Environment Nexus

•           Environment: Environmental and social impact assessments and safeguards

2030 Agenda: People  Gender :

•           Gender analysis and issues

•           Gender mainstreaming 

•           Gender and institutional development
 

Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in finance, economics, development/sustainable financing or a closely related field.
Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in sustainable finance, capital markets, banking (corporate finance) or public finance is required;
  • Familiarity with government and financial sector operations in Zambia strongly desired;
  • Experience in green finance (especially biodiversity conservation), ESG or sustainable finance;
  • Exposure to operations of the financial sector i.e. banking, capital markets etc;
  • Strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
  • Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations;
  • Ability to 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;
  • Experience in dealing with international and national experts and institutions;
  • Evident Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity;
  • Sound understanding of key software packages (MS Office);
  • Previous experience or involvement in the BIOFIN Initiative would be an added advantage;
  • A self-starter with strong internal motivation, able to set up systems and procedures in a ‘start up’ environment;
  • Commercially astute: A high degree of financial sector operations awareness;
  • Flexibility: readily adapts to change, new products, systems, methods, and products;
  • Demonstrated ability to network and strike collaborative linkages.

Language: Fluency in English, with excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skill.

Professional Certificates: Any professional certifications in green finance, banking, ESG, Environmental finance, corporate finance, capital markets etc.

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.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

 
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