Background
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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.
Office/Unit/Project Description
The Biodiversity Finance Initiatives (BIOFIN) is a global initiative launched in October 2012 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to respond to the need for detailed national-level analysis regarding biodiversity finance and boost the mobilization of financial resources for parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets. It is a global partnership seeking to address the biodiversity finance challenge in a comprehensive manner by building a sound business case for increased investments in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity, with a focus on the needs and transformational opportunities at the national level. In Malawi, the implementation of the BIOFIN started in 2019 under the Environmental Affairs Department within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change.
One of the key outputs of the first phase of the BIOFIN initiative (2019-2022) in Malawi was the development of a National Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP) aimed at identifying and prioritizing a mix of suitable biodiversity finance solutions to reduce the envisaged biodiversity finance gap. The national BFP prioritized eleven finance solutions and currently five are under implementation.
In UNDP the activities of the BIOFIN project fall directly under the Resilience and Sustainable Growth (RSG) Portfolio. To align the Malawi Country Office structure to the UNDP Strategic Plan, as well as respond to the integrated priorities outlined in Malawi’s Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III), and recently the Malawi Vision 2063, a portfolio approach has been in use over the last ten years to drive programmatic coherence, efficiency, and value for money. The Resilience and Sustainable Growth (RSG) portfolio is one of three programmatic portfolios in the Malawi country office and is aligned to the Responsive Institutions and Citizen Engagement (RICE) portfolio as well as the Development Impact and Advisory Team (DIAT), all of which are supported by an Operations Team.
On the Government side BIOFIN activities fall under Environmental Affairs Department and Ministry of Finance; and the officer will be required work directly with these two government offices and any other MDAs as defined by the finance solutions.
Under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Malawi, the RSG portfolio aligns directly to Pillar 3: Inclusive and Resilience Growth, while contributing to Pillar 2: Peace, Inclusion and Effective Institutions.
The BIOFIN, therefore would like to engage the services of the BIOFIN Project Officer (BPO), under the overall guidance and supervision of the National Coordinator, shall be responsible for facilitating and supporting the day-to-day delivery of the BIOFIN project goals in line with the project document, workplans and objectives.
Scope of Work
The BPO shall support the implementation of the National BIOFIN Country Implementation Strategy as per BIOFIN methodology. S/He will provide technical and administrative support to the implementation of on-going finance solutions and development of additional finance solution proposals, including activities, budget, risks, targets and indicators in consultation with stakeholders.
S/He, in consultation with the BIOFIN National Coordinator, UNDP Program Analyst responsible for environment and the Environmental Affairs BIOFIN Desk Officer, shall perform the following:
Support planning, implementation, and management of the BIOFIN project activities by:
2.Provide inputs for the Policy Development
3.Facilitate Project Outreach and Communication and Knowledge Management
Providing Support in:
4. Facilitate Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Provide support in:
5. Building Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
Provide support in:
The BPO shall perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Project.
Institutional Arrangement
The BIOFIN Project Officer shall work in close collaboration with the Biodiversity section team in the Environmental Affairs Department of the Ministry of Forestry, Natural Resources and Climate Change (MFNRCC) in an integrated manner to ensure coherence, efficiency and effectiveness of UNDP support and delivery. The BIOFIN Project Officer shall report to the BIOFIN National Coordinator who in turn reports to the Resilience and Sustainable Growth (RSG) Portfolio Manager, through the Program Analyst, UNDP in the day-to-day delivery of the project in line with the project document, workplans and objectives.
Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
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
Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
Integration within the UN: Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Partnerships Management: Ability to 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
Resource Management: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity
Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen. Working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Required Skills and Experience
Education
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Climate Change and Natural Resources Management is required.
OR
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience
Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional work experience in dealing with climate change and natural resources management issues in Malawi is required.
Required Skills
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Languages: Fluency in English and Chichewa is required
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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