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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:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.
The newly established UNDP Planet Hub will drive UNDP’s vision of a world where economies and ecosystems thrive together — where energy systems are clean and accessible, nature is protected and restored, communities are resilient to climate impacts, and pollution is minimized. By 2030, the Hub seeks to help countries achieve this vision through systemic change that aligns policy, finance, integrated solutions, and societal ownership to advance sustainable human development. Backed by diverse partnerships and funding sources, the Planet Hub combines thought leadership, technical expertise, and strategic collaboration to help countries advance their environmental and economic goals.
The Planet Hub will build on UNDP’s existing portfolio of over USD 5 billion in over 140 countries, as well as on key offers across UNDP. The Planet Hub’s theory of change rests on five mutually reinforcing service lines that together enable systemic transformation:
The Planet Hub will be made up of eight interconnected pillars, covering strategic areas of work to deliver its core objective, as well as a set of integrated functions and support that cut across pillars and help ensure cohesive offers and delivery of the Planet Hub. One critical component of the Planet Hub is the portfolio of support to countries on Finance for Planet. The Finance for Planet Pillar serves as the Planet Hub’s cross-cutting platform for mobilizing, aligning, and scaling public and private finance in support of climate, biodiversity, sustainable energy, pollution prevention, and broader environmental objectives. The Pillar brings together expertise on environmental finance solutions, nature and carbon markets, innovative financing instruments, capital mobilization, results-based financing, and environmental finance implementation. Working across all Planet Hub pillars and in close collaboration with Sustainable Finance Hub, it supports countries in developing financing strategies, structuring and deploying financial solutions, mobilizing investments, strengthening implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), and advancing monitoring, reporting, and verification of environmental finance results. The Pillar also provides leadership on knowledge sharing, advocacy, capacity development, and coordination of finance-related initiatives across global, regional, and country-level portfolios.
The Head of Finance for Planet will be based in Madrid, Spain and will report to the Director of the Planet Hub.
Position Purpose
To help support UNDP’s Strategic Plan, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) established the post of Head of Finance for Planet in the Planet Hub. As the leader of this portfolio, the incumbent will directly support Planet Hub’s goals by playing a leading role in coordinating the delivery of the Hub’s strategy across different areas of policy and programming. This includes overseeing the Finance for Planet portfolio.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Substantive Leadership and Management
2. Integrated Policy Formulation and Programme Support
3. Thought Leadership and Positioning and Lead Cross-Organization Knowledge and Learning
4. Resource Mobilization, Advocacy and Communications
5. Develop Strategic Partnerships, Representation and Engagement
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervision, management, performance management, and development of global staff and consultants will be required.
The Head of Finance for Planet Pillar will supervise a globally distributed team of personnel across Bonn, New York, and other locations, including direct reports at the global level and secondary reporting personnel, including Regional Specialists embedded across UNDP Regional Bureaux.
Competencies
| Core | |
| Achieve Results: | 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 |
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| 2030 Agenda - planet | Climate and Environmental Finance | Climate Change Adaptation: Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (CI & EWS) |
| Portfolio Management | System Thinking | Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management. |
| Business Direction and Strategy | Monitoring & Evaluation | Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. |
| Business Management | Portfolio Management | Ability to select, prioritize and control the organizations programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management. |
| Business Management | Result-based Management | Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools. |
| Business Development | UNDP Representation | Effectively represent and advocate for UNDP, its values, mission, work, and positions with various constituencies/audiences, shares UNDP knowledge and activities. |
| Finance | Development finance expertise | Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance, etc |
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
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.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
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.
Use of AI by candidates
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