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 โleave 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.
In December 2022, PNG joined 195 countries that Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to adopt the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which envisions living in harmony with nature by 2050. The countryโs National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is as a critical tool for addressing biodiversity loss, integrating sustainable use and management, and supporting the countryโs national development goals. The PNG National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is currently supported by several UNDP initiatives.
The Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (EAS) GEF7 project has been supporting the updating version of PNG National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) 2019-2024 to fulfil the commitments of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and provide strategic support for PNG to act towards achieving the Kunming โ Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
The Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (EAS) project was focused on aligning NBSAP with this new global agreement, including national biodiversity targets, monitoring systems, policy and institutional coherence, and biodiversity finance.ย
The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2019-2024 is Papua New Guinea's roadmap to conserve its rich biodiversity. The Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) is the leading authority in the development and implementation of the goals set out in the PNG NBSAP, which is closely linked to Papua New Guinea's Development Strategic Plan (2010-2050) and the Vision 2050.ย
The GEF 8 Umbrella Programme to Support NBSAP Update and the 7th National Reports, is now supporting PNGโs continued efforts to revise and update the NBSAP (2025โ2030) to ensure alignment with the Kunming-Montreal GBF, effective implementation of the CBD, and compliance with national and global biodiversity objectives.
The National Communications and Knowledge Management Strategy for the Papua New Guinea NBSAP project, funded by the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, aims to support the Conservation and Environmental Protection Authority (CEPA) to develop a National Communication Strategy for PNG NBSAP and to develop and establish a knowledge management platform that improve dialogue amongst national decision makers and engagement at the subnational level with indigenous communities, to accelerate the implementation of NBSAP and progress towards GBF targets.ย
Finally, the GEF 8 Umbrella Programme to Support Development of National Biodiversity Finance Plan, aims to support CEPA to develop a national biodiversity finance plan (BFP), that should assess the root causes of biodiversity loss, identify national biodiversity finance gaps, and articulate strategies on how to reduce the gaps through a suite of finance solutions aimed at reducing flow of resources that cause harm to biodiversity; generating additional resources; and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of resource use. The overall implementation of this project in PNG will be led by the Project Lead/Senior Finance Expert with the support of a technical team and in coordination to a government project director and the National Steering Committee.ย
For the implementation of the GEF8-BFP Umbrella program at the national level, UNDP is recruiting a national team composed of a Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead) and a Biodiversity Finance Specialist, and a Project Support Associate.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Biodiversity Finance Specialist will be under the direct supervision of the Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead). UNDP shall be entitled to intellectual property and other proprietary rights over all materials that have a direct relation to the project.
The Biodiversity Finance Specialist (the specialistโ) will be responsible for the following key functions:
Policy and Institutional Review (PIR)
With the support of a Policy expert consultant, develop an inventory of existing Biodiversity Financial Mechanism in the country. With the support of a Policy expert consultant, review existing economic valuation studies relevant to the BIOFIN process.Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER)
Collect data and carry out a desk review to map existing studies/information/databases on biodiversity expenditures, including an overview of earlier environmental expenditure reviews.ย Develop a proposed national definition for โbiodiversity expendituresโ, based on the BIOFIN methodology or other methodologies.ย Develop a workplan for the Biodiversity Expenditure Review for discussion with the national BFP Programme team and GPMTSU. Determine a target list of organizations to include in the analysis based on the PIR work. Establish, with the support of the Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead), a system to tag biodiversity expenses into categories (GBF targets, BIOFIN categories, NBSAP themes, etc.) and a system of coefficients/attribution to estimate the contribution of mixed actions towards biodiversity.ย Gather data from the targeted organizations to conduct the expenditure review on budgets and expenditures. Follow existing methodologies for guidance (includes mapping of sources of funding, subsidies, and biodiversity-based revenues, etc.) Develop tools or Excel tool to analyse the total biodiversity-related expenditures filtered by major strategy groups using existing methodology (or national categories such as in the NBSAP). Coordinate the compilation of relevant data and liaise with relevant Ministries and partners as required and complete all BIOFIN data entry sheets for the BER.ย Support the Organization of bilateral consultation meetings/interviews/ discussions with national level stakeholders to define and then validate the attribution of biodiversity significance in all relevant expenditures.ย Applying budget projections and other assumptions, estimate future funding baseline under a โBusiness-As-Usual Scenarioโ: an analysis of projected estimated funding in the future. Based on international best practices and the BIOFIN methodology or other methodologies, work closely with the Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead) to develop and implement a specific strategy for data collection of the private sector and organize dedicated consultation meetings with private sector stakeholders (e.g. chamber of commerce, multinationals) on tracking biodiversity expenditures.ย Based on results from the research, analysis and the national consultation workshop, develop, with the support of the Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead), the draft BIOFIN Biodiversity Expenditure Review for review by the GPMTSU (Global Project Management and Technical Support Unit).ย Develop the final Biodiversity Expenditure Review, with the support of the Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead), for review by the GPMTSU and present at the validation workshop.Biodiversity Finance Needs Assessment (FNA)
Review the available methodologies, examples from other countries, the latest NBSAP and the National Biodiversity Reports to develop an initial workplan and outline for the FNA.ย Consult with the NBSAP team and government entities responsible for NBSAP implementation to obtain background information about NBSAP activities and government budgeting processes.ย Work with the Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead) to review the scope of the NBSAP, its alignment with other national policies, and identify policy areas and activities that are not covered by the existing NBSAP.ย Review the activities listed in the NBSAP and other key strategic documents to assess if they are detailed and quantified enough for their budgets to be estimated in detail.ย If not, work with the NBSAP national focal points and other relevant stakeholders to define clearly the NBSAP actions so that they can be budgeted.ย Coordinate the compilation of relevant data and liaise with relevant Ministries and partners as required and organise a national consultation workshop to define the financial needs of all major biodiversity programmes.ย Develop detailed calculations and complete all datasheets related to the national biodiversity finance needs.ย Organize a workshop to validate the cost assumptions and models and refine the analysis through additional meetings as needed.ย Support the comparison of the results of the BER future projections with the FNA in as detail as the categories allow and produce an estimate of the financing gap.ย Lead the development (with support from the team) of a draft report for the Biodiversity Finance Needs Assessment for discussion at the validation workshop and review by the project national team and GPMTSU.ย Support the Production of the final report of the Biodiversity Finance Needs Assessment.Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP)
Support the Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead) in the conception and preparation of the BFP.ย Support detailed feasibility analysis on a range of financing mechanisms depending on knowledge and experience. Project Outreach and Communication Preparation of workshops, meetings, networking and presentations as required, to complete the Biodiversity Expenditure Review, the Financial Needs Assessment and engage stakeholders. Provide substantive comments and feedback on how to improve the existing methodologies. Knowledge Management and Reporting Document decisions and assumptions made while completing the Biodiversity Expenditure Review and the Biodiversity Finance Needs Assessment.ย Document lessons learned from conducting the BFP project ranging from institutional considerations to technical issues. Prepare reports and case studies, as required, for submission to global meetings (e.g. CBD COP). The Biodiversity Finance Specialist will produce drafts and analyses that will be reviewed and ultimately validated by the Senior Finance Expert (Project Lead) and the BIOFIN Global Team.ยThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsย 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 demandsย Act with Determination: ย 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:ย LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityCross-Functional & Technical competencies
2030 Agenda: Planetย
Nature - Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme: Biodiversity MainstreamingBusiness Developmentย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Knowledge Generation - Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Collective Intelligence Design - Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services. Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.Business Direction & Strategy ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
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.Digital ย
Data Governance - Knowledge of data science, skills to develop data management tools, organize and maintain databases and operate data visualization technologies Data Collection - Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g. mobile data, satellite data, sensor data). Data analysis - Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision makingRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Business Management or a closely related field, preferably with an Environment and Biodiversity focus is required, Or A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the same field as above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.ย Minimum 5 yearsโ experience (with masterโs degree) or 7 yearsโ experience (with bachelorโs degree) in environmental finance, accounting, economics, management or related field.Experience:
Proven experience in collaborating with international and national experts and institutions. Proven knowledge of key software packages (MS Office) and ability to learn and adopt to new systems. Proven previous experience in drafting reports on environment related policies writing and communication skills. Proven ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations. Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team. Experience in environmental issues or biodiversity. Previous experience with expenditure reviews.ย Experience in the government in environment projects. Previous experience with expenditure reviews. Knowledge and experience with UN regulations, policies, procedures and practices.Required Languages
Fluency in National language (Tok Pisin) and English is required.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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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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