Background
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Amplifying Blue Economy Growth through Enhanced Blue Carbon and Finance Profiling
ASEAN is home to some of the world’s most extensive blue carbon ecosystems, encompassing
35% of global mangroves and 33% of seagrass beds. These ecosystems play a crucial role in climate mitigation, capturing up to 55% of the world’s carbon. Seagrass alone accounts for 10% of oceanic carbon storage and sequesters carbon 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. Beyond climate mitigation, blue carbon ecosystems support biodiversity, prevent erosion, shield against storm surges, and sustain livelihoods through fisheries, tourism, and alternative income opportunities.
Harnessing this immense potential can drive ASEAN’s climate ambitions forward. Incorporating blue carbon strategies into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aligns with global climate goals, including achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2065, as emphasized in the ASEAN State of Climate Change Report (ASCCR). Strengthening technical expertise, data collection, and scientific methodologies to evaluate and quantify these ecosystems is vital to realizing their contributions to regional climate objectives.
In this context, UNDP Indonesia, with funding support from the Government of Japan, is implementing the ‘Amplifying Blue Economy Growth through Enhanced Blue Carbon and Financing Profiling’ project under the ASEAN Coordinating Task Force on Blue Economy. This project aims to address the dual challenges of climate change and sustainable development by conserving and leveraging blue carbon ecosystems in ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste.
Scheduled for a 12-month implementation period until 31 March 2026, the project has three primary outcomes:
1. Development of blue carbon profiles to enhance climate mitigation through blue carbon ecosystems across ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste.
2. Creation of blue finance profiles to assess the financing landscape and identify country- specific opportunities.
3. Establishment of an ASEAN network of blue economy experts to foster collaboration and elevate ASEAN’s achievements on the global stage.
The project aligns with the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework, specifically Blue Strategies 1 and 2, and Blue Enabler 4. It also supports the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). By integrating blue carbon ecosystems into climate action strategies, ASEAN countries can enhance environmental sustainability, promote social inclusivity, and strengthen economic resilience, contributing to regional and global climate goals.
The Project Management Unit (PMU) will be hosted in UNDP Indonesia’s Nature, Climate and Energy (NCE) Team and led by a National Project Manager (NPM), in coordination with the Programme Specialist (Nature Climate Energy). On this connection, the UNDP Indonesia is hiring a Technical Specialist who will provide key guidance to the National Project Manager in the management of the Project. She/he will also provide project assurance and technical assistance to the Project when required as well as conducting overall monitoring and other relevant operational functions.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Technical Specialist will be responsible for all aspects of the project as outlined in the project document, to the required standards of quality and considering the implications of time and cost. Her/his task will include:
3.1. Ensures provision of high-quality policy advice services to the Project Management Unit (PMU) focusing on achievement of the followingresults:
• Provide technical oversight and serve as a lead technical resource for the provision of technical assistance and capacity building initiatives in the implementation of the multi- countries/regional project.
• Identify and coordinate the provision of technical assistance to the project and partners in consultation with the PMU.
• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues.
• Ensure strategic support for the capacity-building of project beneficiaries is managed effectively.
• Develop and maintain the quality of technical assistance provided through the pool of experts and consultants as relevant to the needs of the implementing partners.
• Introduction of performance indicators/success criteria, targets and milestones.
• Development of policies and guidelines that will address problems and needs in collaboration with the UNDP Country Office Indonesia, and other strategic partners.
• Provide policy advice and technical support to the design and implementation of project activities in the portfolio through consultation with the PMU, other respective UNDP Country Offices, the Government of Japan, the ASEAN Secretariat, private sectors and other partners.
• Ensure effective application of result-based monitoring (RBM) tools and project monitoring and evaluation procedures and guidelines to promote achievement of outcome level results. This includes financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects using quarterly monitoring reports (QMRs) and Project Assurance Reports (PAR).
• Monitor the project implementation to ensure they are progressing according to plan, and assist project authorities to problem-solve and implement corrective measures.
• Oversee all stages of project management, including: (1) initiation of the project;
(2) presentation of the project to the Project Steering Committee, comprising the high-level representative of UNDP Indonesia, ASEAN Secretariat and Japan Permanent Mission to ASEAN; (3) contributing to UNDP’s regular project reporting exercises; (4) finalization of grant agreements; (5) coordination of project and budget revisions; and, (6) closure of projects based on the corporate procedures.
• Assist in the preparation of project reports fordonor.
3.2. Provides strategic direction and support to implementing partners and technical specialists in conducting participatory and multi-stakeholder sectoral reviews:
• Facilitate the establishment of mechanisms for coordination, dialogue, and learning among actors (bureaucrats and practitioners) in the key sector (i.e., blue economy).
• Review each actor’s mandate, plan, map activities, work areas and strengths/weaknesses (sector baseline).
• Provide technical support to multi-stakeholder mechanisms, especially about the project’s donor coordination and government/civil society partnership-building activities.
• Development of practical policies and guidelines, and plan recommendations.
• Provide strategic recommendations for the development of relevant project activities in line with UNDP’s Country Programme and support to blue innovation agenda.
• Support the formulation exercise by facilitating engagement with stakeholders, inputs from relevant advisors and consultants, and proper preparation of project/ documents in line with UNDP’s procedures.
• Undertake analysis of the project portfolio to assess its effectiveness in contributing to the intended outcomes and develop strategies to address identified weaknesses.
• In close consultation with the PMU, identify areas for support and intervention within the outcome areas assigned and any need for outcome level revisions that may be necessary to maintain UNDP’s relevance within the context of the country’s evolving development situation.
• Ensures gender-related economic, environmental, public research and analysis, to contribute to the formulation of policies, programme interventions, procedures, guidelines and tools
3.3. Facilitates the establishment of a high-quality knowledge building and management information system focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Ensure that required expertise and technical assistance is made available to the PMU, UNDP Country Office, project beneficiaries, strategic partners/counterparts.
• Effective mechanisms and systems are in place and functioning to identify, document and synthesize lesson learned and best practices for sharing and learning throughout the region.
• Maintain project briefs and activity information for targeted private sectors, business communities, civil society, bilateral donor, academia and other stakeholders as appropriate to support UNDP’s public awareness activities including through preparation of statements and other communication materials.
• Provision of high-quality information and analysis to the project counterparts to inform the strategic direction of local development priorities.
• Coordinate and organize the relevant studies to collate research-based information, evidence and facts to enrich the achievement of development results.
• Ensure development results are communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
• Effective strategic input for capacity building training for project/programme staff to facilitate appropriate management and timely delivery of project outputs including in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming
• Effective contribution to the national and global network for gender mainstreaming learning and knowledge sharing
• Recommend entry points for knowledge generation and knowledge sharing based on the project implementation, and, when appropriate, make contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Identify key sources of information and best practices for the thematic issues within the project and facilitate access to this information by project staff and other relevant counterparts. Establish and/or expand knowledge and advocacy networks which are linked to thematic issues within the project.
• In coordination with the Project Manager and the Head of EU, prepare briefs, talking points, and other documents as required by UNDP Country Office and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that key project results data and promotional material are available to showcase the progress, achievements and impacts of UNDP’s work in the innovation and blue agenda.
• Conducts internal capacity building training for project staff to facilitate appropriate management and timely delivery of project outputs including in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming.
3.4. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization, including pipelining efforts and preparation of proposals/concept notes.
3.5. The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that:
• Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
• Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and
Environmental Standards of UNDP”;
• Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
• Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
• Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created;
• Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Nature Climate Energy), the Technical
Specialist will provide strategic direction and technical support to the project team to ensure high quality project development and implementation, especially around blue economy. She/he is also expected to manage effective communication with the ASEAN Secretariat, other UNDP Countries Offices, the Japan Permanent Mission to ASEAN and relevant stakeholders. In addition, the incumbent will work in close collaboration with programme and operations units in the UNDP Indonesia CO, as well as with relevant government officials, researchers, academia and, if relevant, private sectors to successfully implement the Project.
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
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction and Strategy Strategic Thinking
- Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
Business Direction and Strategy 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 Directionand Strategy Negotiation and Influence
Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.
2030 agenda- people Gender Gender and Environment
Business Management Partnership management
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
Partnership management Emerging partnerships
Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships vision and objectives
Business Management Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Finance, Social Science, Engineering, Development Studies or related field is required. or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above- mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work experience
Minimum of 5 years (with Master Degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor Degree) of relevant professional experience, preferably in the field of sustainable development, business development, blue economy, sustainable finance, climate-related issues, marine plastic pollution, sustainable tourism, and sustainable fisheries, or other related areas.
Required skills
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages
(MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database Packages
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills, interpersonal communication skills, writing ability and administrative skills.
• Proven ability to engage and negotiate with high level personnel in governmental institutions, external agencies, etc.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
• Experience in designing, implementing and monitoring programmes/initiatives in the field of sustainable development, blue economy, sustainable finance, climate-related issues, or other related areas in developing countries
• Experience in providing policy and/or programme advice and leading policy dialogues.
• Experience and strong knowledge on innovative financing instruments and solutions for national and international implementation, such as impact investment, blended finance, nature-based bonds and insurances, debt swaps, etc
• Experience in aligning SDG principles in development of business model.
• Experience in working with other UN agencies, other development partners, government on programming in relation to the areas mentioned above.
• Familiar with Government and UN/UNDP procedures would be desirable
Required Language(s) (at working level)
Fluency in English is required.
Professional Certificates N/A
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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