Background

Preliminary top-down estimates of the global financial gap for biodiversity range from US$ 100 to 400 billion annually and detailed bottom-up assessments in participating BIOFIN countries validate this significant financial need and have helped identify finance solutions required to achieve the Aichi Targets and biodiversity related SDGs. In recent decades, biodiversity finance tools and solutions have demonstrated their importance for achieving biodiversity and sustainable development goals. But since countries have not approached the issue of biodiversity finance in a comprehensive manner, the choice and adoption of finance solutions has remained experimental and opportunistic. Improved choice, design and implementation of effective well-tailored finance solutions will strengthen a countries’ chances of achieving national and global biodiversity targets.

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative – BIOFIN – is a global programme that developed, piloted, and is continuously improving a methodology to measure existing biodiversity expenditure levels, assess future financial needs, and design comprehensive plans to use finance tools and solutions that increase financing, effectiveness and efficiency of biodiversity management in 35 countries. BIOFIN’s first phase (2012-2018) enabled full assessments and initial implementation of finance plan elements in target countries. Significant enhancement and scaling up of finance solutions is required in all countries to address the biodiversity finance challenge. BIOFIN’s second phase enables the 35 countries to complete the design and implementation of priority finance solutions and will allow new countries to undertake the assessments as well as create and implement their biodiversity finance plan. At the central level, knowledge management platforms will be expanded and additional guidance produced for most valuable finance solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work 

The National Project Coordinator (the “Coordinator”) will be responsible for the overall management of in-country activities, ensuring a proper workplan and budget is in place and implemented within set timelines, with an effective national team and strong partnerships. The Coordinator will work closely with the Sr. Finance Expert to ensure implementation mechanisms such as a National Steering Committee and technical working groups are established and meet regularly, that all planned workshops, technical studies and other activities are organised in a timely manner, and that they meet expected quality standards. Key duties and responsibilities include:

Management

• Oversee the identification, selection and supervision of national consultants and experts, in close collaboration with the UNDP Country Office, Sr. Finance Expert and the Global BIOFIN Team and write/revise terms of reference for national BIOFIN team members;
• In consultation with the UNDP Country Office and Global BIOFIN Team and supported by the Sr. Finance Expert, 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); 
• Oversee the work of the Finance Assistant to ensure administrative requirements and budgets are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations;
• 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. 
• Discuss with the Ministries of Finance, Environment and other key stakeholders the establishment of a national Steering Committee 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 and BIOFIN global. 
• 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 Technical Advisor from the global BIOFIN team. Ensure participation of national BIOFIN team members in regional technical calls. 
• Supervise the work of national experts and institutions to ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget, and to high quality standards; facilitate, guide and monitor the work of the national BIOFIN team;

Reporting/Communication/M&E

• Signal any delays in national deliverables compared to the workplan to the Sr. Finance Expert, UNDP Country Office and the Global BIOFIN Team. 
• 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 the inception workshop and all technical workshops. 
• Develop briefing notes, case studies, press releases, web articles and other media products as required. 
• Write the section of the inception report on national implementation arrangements. 
• 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.

Key deliverables (products and processes):

• Detailed BIOFIN Work Plan and budget agreed by all major partners.
• National Steering/Advisory Committee formed and operational.
• All consultants and team members recruited and delivering to schedule, while working relations between team members are clarified and effective. 
• Lines of communication and working methods agreed and functional.
• Reporting and updates provided to UNDP, government, BIOFIN, etc.
• Planned activities are carried out in line with timelines and required quality standards.
• All workshops organised in line with workplan and well documented. 
• Inception Phase: Inception Workshop, Inception Report
• Policy and Institutional Review (I) Draft Report, (II) Initial and Final Workshops and workshop reports, (III) Final validated report. 
• Biodiversity Expenditure Review (I) Draft Report, (II) Initial and Final Workshops and workshop reports, (III) Final validated report
• Financial Needs Assessment (I) Draft Report, (II) Initial and Final Workshops and workshop reports, (III) Final validated report
• Biodiversity Finance Plan (I) Draft Report, (II) Initial and Final Workshops and reports, (III) Final validated report
• Finance Solution Implementation: (I) Project proposal (s) for suggested activities, (II) ToR for additional consultants / service contracts, (III) Mid-term and Final Report on the results of implementation.
• Project Synthesis Report and Policy Briefs (with recommendations to government)
• Policy Development: Specific policy recommendations/papers for relevant national/sectoral policy processes.
• Overall transformational process (outreach to government, steering committee, etc.)

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Management unit (PMU) will consist of Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead), National Project Coordinator, Policy and Institutional Expert, Environmental Finance Expert, Finance Specialist, Finance Assistant and will be working under the supervision of UNDP Country Office. The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for providing overall management of the PMU members. 

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

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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