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 ‘leave 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 country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is as a critical tool for addressing biodiversity loss, integrating sustainable use and management, and supporting the country’s 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 – Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

The Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (EAS) project was focussed on aligning NBSAP with this new global agreement, including national biodiversity targets, monitoring systems, policy and institutional coherence, and biodiversity finance.

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.

The GEF 8 Umbrella Programme to Support NBSAP Update and the 7th National Reports, is now supporting PNG’s continued efforts to revise and update the NBSAP (2025–2030) 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.

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.

For the implementation of the GEF8-BFP Umbrella program at the national level, UNDP is recruiting a national team composed of a Finance Specialist (Project Lead) and a Biodiversity Finance Specialist, and a Project Support Associate.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative and the direct supervision from the Assistant Resident Representative, the Project Lead and Sustainable Finance Specialist will be the leader manager of the National Project management Unit (NPMU) at the national level. The Project Lead will be responsible for the management of NPMU and will collaborate with appropriate government agency(ies) in principle working side by side with government staff, also in close collaboration with the UNDP Country Office.

The Project Lead will be supported by Biodiversity Finance Specialist, a Project Support Associate, and consultants, such as Environment Policy consultant, and others as needed. A dedicated technical advisor by Global Project Management and Technical Support Unit (GPMTSU) will be available to support the project team and the project work at the global level.

The Project Lead in the NPMU will be responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the project on behalf of the Implementing Partner, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, responsible parties, consultants, and sub-contractors.

The Project Lead/ Sustainable Finance Specialist will be responsible for the overall supervision and management of in-country activities, ensuring a proper workplan and budget is in place and implemented within set timelines, with an effective national team and strong partnerships. The Project Lead will closely work with the technical team of a Biodiversity Finance Specialist and a Project Support Associate, to ensure implementation mechanisms and technical working groups are established and meet regularly, that all planned workshops, technical studies and other activities are organised in a timely manner, and that they meet expected quality standards.

The Project Lead will provide substantial technical expertise in assuring horizontal integration and consistency of workstreams/studies, as well as advisory services and quality assurance of national products and processes throughout the duration of the national project. He/she will be responsible for relevant sections the production of the Policy and Institutional Review, the Biodiversity Expenditure Review and the Financial Needs Assessment, lead the preparation of the Biodiversity Finance Plan and will oversee the identification and implementation of finance solutions as requested. He/she will also specifically be responsible for outreach activities to national (Government, donors” delegation, academia, etc.) and relevant international stakeholders, and the preparation of synthesis reports, policy briefs, press releases and briefing notes for Government, UNDP etc.

Key duties and responsibilities:

Project Management

• Oversee the identification, selection and supervision of national consultants and experts, in close collaboration with the UNDP Country Office, Senior Finance Expert and the Global Project Management and Technical Support Unit (GPMTSU).
• Write/revise terms of references for national BIOFIN team members.
• In consultation with the UNDP Country Office and GPMTSU elaborate/revise the work plan and budget and submit draft workplans/budgets timely.
• Supervise the work of national experts and institutions to ensure outputs are delivered on time, within the set budget, and to high quality standards; facilitate, guide and monitor the work of the national team.
• Oversee the work of the Project Support Associate to ensure administrative requirements and budgets are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations.
• Organise all relevant project workshops in a consultative manner, involving a wide variety of biodiversity finance stakeholders, including the government, private sector, NGOs, donors and academia.
• Discuss with the Ministries of Finance, Environment and other key stakeholders the establishment of a national Steering Committee and follow up on the formal establishment and regular convening of the Committee and develop meeting reports to be shared with Steering Committee, the UNDP CO and GPMTSU.
• Maintain regular communication with Ministries of Environment and Finance for the development and completion of all reports and products.
• Liaise the project processes and products with relevant national planning biodiversity and finance relevant processes, such as NBSAP updates and Global Biodiversity Framework implementation.
• Ensure a timely identification of risks in implementation at the national level and communication to the GPMTSU.
• Organise regular meetings of the national team and monthly calls with the Technical Advisor from the GPMTSU.
• Ensure participation of national team members in regional technical calls.
• Participate in regional and global meeting organized by the GPMTSU.

Technical Tasks and Responsibilities 

• Act as principal technical contact for the project implementation with GPMTSU with regards to all questions and issues that arise during national implementation.
• Provide key technical leadership on all finance issues and assure horizontal integration and consistency of workstreams/studies.
• Provide overall guidance and quality control for the four main deliverables of the project. Provide technical support to the national project team to complete all the deliverables of the BIOFIN methodology, in a consistent and high-quality manner.
• Ensure drafts of all work are sent to the global Technical Advisor and GPMTSU regularly to provide backstopping and assure feedback is adequately integrated into national reports.
• Research and write Develop the sections on subsidies and financing incentives in the PIR according to the guidance provided by the GPMTSU and written guidance documents (especially the BIOFIN Workbook)
• Provide technical support for the data collection, analysis, and conclusions of the BER.
• Support the data collection, modelling, quality checking, and validation of the FNA.
• Develop a Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP) according to the guidance provided by the GPMTSU global BIOFIN team and written guidance documents (especially the BIOFIN Workbook).

Reporting/Communication/M&E

• Signal any delays in national deliverables compared to the workplan to the UNDP Country Office and the GPMTSU.
• Lead project monitoring, reporting and evaluation at national level, draft monthly and quarterly reports for review by the lead expert and submission to the global BIOFIN team.
• Coordinate the development of workshop reports for the inception workshop and all technical workshops.
• Review all technical reports as required.
• Ensure alignment of national work with global methodologies such as the BIOFIN workbook and others.
• Liaise with relevant initiatives and programs in UNDP and other organizations in support of the execution of the project, including BIOFIN, the NBSAP support programme, the GEF 7 Early Action Support Programme, the Nature Hub, and other organizations and initiatives.
• Review the final reports of the national Policy and Institutional Review, Biodiversity expenditure Review, Financial Needs Assessment and Biodiversity Finance plan
• Develop with the collaboration of the rest of the team members, of at least one brief overview publication per year, press releases, and web and media products.

The Project Lead typically presents key deliverables and documents to the appropriate national governance mechanism and to the GPMTSU for their review and approval, including progress reports, annual work plans, adjustments to tolerance levels and risk registers.

The 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 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 Competences

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Nature – Ecosystems and biodiversity

Business Management

• Project Management – Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Portfolio Management – Ability to select, prioritize 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 & 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.

Partnership

• Private sector resource mobilization – Ability to identify, develop and manage partnerships that leverage private sector technical expertise and resources.

Partnership Management

• 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

Finance

• Financial Planning and Budgeting – Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP”s long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Environment, Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity, Political Studies, Economics, Finance or a closely related field is required, Or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master´s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years’ experience (with masters’ degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) in the implementation of environment and biodiversity finance projects.
• Proven knowledge of key software packages (MS Office) and ability to learn and adopt to new systems.
• Experience in managing work teams and supervising technical assessments, reports and technical documents
• Experience in gathering and processing data and information.
• Prior experience with UNDP projects.
• Knowledge in environmental or biodiversity related policies.
• Knowledge in UN regulations, policies, procedures and practices.

Required Languages

• Fluency in 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.

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.

Scam alert

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