The project Investing in Coral Reef and Blue Economy is a four year, UNDP implemented project. It is being implemented in Papua New Guinea.

The project will establish a Blue Economy Enterprise Incubation Facility (the ‘Facility’) to accelerate sustainable livelihood opportunities linked to the marine environment in Kimbe Bay in West New Britain and Louisiade Archipelago in Milne Bay Provinces. This will support the development of a National Blue Investment Strategy before establishing the Facility with a focus on incubating marine focused women-led businesses.

Simultaneously, multiple use Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) will be established targeting globally important coral reef systems. The Facility will demonstrate proof of concept for new blue business models and catalyse a new blue economy in Papua New Guinea. The project aims to crowd-in international and domestic investment providing blue-focused financial products and expanding access to lines of credit (including micro-finance) for women and youth.

The focus of the BE-EIF will be to support businesses that actively contribute to the protection, restoration and resilience of Papua New Guinea’s coral reefs. The critical importance of the reef systems at the first two pilot sites (Kimbe Bay and Conflict Group) reflect this mission. The Facility will be nested in the UNDP administered, Biodiversity and Climate Fund. This structure and its affiliation with the Biodiversity and Climate Fund will enable the Facility to be part of a much larger nation-wide conservation finance initiative which enjoys high-level political and donor support.

Types of activities supported by the project include:

• Blue Economy Credit lines with domestic financial institutions developed with a special focus on women.
• Deployment of risk guarantees to incentivize the domestic financial market.
• Financial support to blue economy enterprises with high development impact and conservation potential.
• New finance lines secured from potential international and domestic financial sector partners.
• Capacity building and awareness of domestic financial institutions of blue economy investment opportunities.
• Corporate 5–year gender-sensitive strategic business plan developed for the Facility.
• Substantive contributions to establishing Marine Protected Areas.

The Technical Specialist will work under the immediate supervision of and directly report to the Deputy Resident Representative (or designate).

• Lead and provide oversight the day-to-day management of the Project through the provision of technical advice, including coordination across agencies and with other programmes.  as the operating context evolves.
• Ensure the project adheres to all UNDP, GFCR and Joint SDG Fund reporting and quality assurance requirements.
• Provide technical expertise and high-quality advice to Government counterparts and other development partners on various economic, environmental and conservation matters.
• Leading consultation and validation efforts with partners, including UN agencies and other development partners, to identify key priorities and complementarities between the project and other existing initiatives in support similar initiatives.
• Lead and ensure that Annual Work Plan (AWP) activities are in line with the overall direction set by the Project Document and Steering Committee delivering project targets and results, proposing strategies adjustments where appropriate.
• Proactively engaging with risk and mitigation efforts to ensure sustainability and the crowding in of additional project financing.
• Ensuring that the Project systematically builds the capacities of implementing and project partners through the introduction of innovation and best practices.
• Facilitating access to knowledge and expertise and promotes the application of these through the Project implementation.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
• The Technical Specialist may be called on to provide other duties and services when required to support the Project, the Environment Portfolio or the broader UNDP Country Office.

Core competencies:

• 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 competencies:

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated Site

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Nature, Climate and Energy

• Ocean Governance: Ocean governance legal and policy frameworks; Ocean restoration and protection
• SIDS: Access to finance; Blue Economy; Digital transformation

Business Development

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control; resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

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.