Project Analyst in Biodiversity financing

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts 
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background and Organizational Context

Biodiversity Finance Plans have become recognised as a relevant tool to help countries to identify and fill the biodiversity finance gap, including through the work of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative www.biofin.org. In December 2022, parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Montreal-Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework, which included numerous targets with relevance for financing. 

The GEF created a global programme to support countries to design a national Biodiversity Finance Plan through knowledge-sharing and technical support. A Biodiversity Finance Plan includes a mapping of existing financing mechanisms, subsidies with potential harmful impacts on nature, drivers of biodiversity loss and gain, public and private expenditures committed towards biodiversity, and national financial needs for biodiversity. The plan includes actions that aim to significantly scale up available funding, phase out harmful finance flows, and optimize available expenditures.

Cabo Verde offers a unique setup. In 2006, UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF joined forces and created a Joint Office to harmonize and streamline the activities of the UN system in the country. The Joint Office builds on the mandates of the three agencies. It implements one Common Country Program with one budget under the direction of a Joint Country Representative who is accredited on behalf of the three agencies. 

The Energy, Environment and Climate Change Portfolio is responsible for implementation of the Joint Office programme and ensure sustainable management of natural resources, programming priorities cover renewable energy and energy efficiency, Environment management, WASH, disaster risk reduction strategy and resilience building, climate change adaptation and mitigation and conservation of biodiversity. The implementation of the project in Cape Verde falls under the GEF8 Umbrella programme for the development of the first National Biodiversity Finance Plan. 

The project's overall implementation will be led by the Project Analyst in Biodiversity financing with the support of a technical team and coordinated with a government project director and the National Steering Committee. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Analyst in Biodiversity financing 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 work closely work with the technical team of an Environmental Policy Expert, 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. 

He/she is expected to have senior experience and to 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. He/she will also 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:

• Provide technical advice and support to the Environment Portfolio Manager on the implementation projects and initiatives, including strategic and/or innovative initiatives to be undertaken/explored.
• Lead the BIOFIN project implementation with Global Project Management and Technical Support Unit (GPMTSU) with regards to all questions and issues that arise during national implementation. Ensure a timely identification of risks in implementation at the national level and communication to the GPMTSU and UNDP.
• Provide and support quality assurance over projects outputs, monitor project implementation 
• progress, and report to UNDP CO environmental portfolio manager.
• Actively provide close support to UNDP/GEF projects coordinators and team, in setting and 
• preparing project Implementation review/annual project report (PIR/APR), technical and financial reports for project key stakeholders as required.
• Raise awareness of projects team on strategic or key project issues, plans and initiatives to maximize highest impact and effectiveness.
• Provide substantive support to the UNDP CO and Project staff of ongoing UNDP-GEF projects: “Managing multiple sector threats on marine ecosystems to achieve sustainable blue growth” and Project “Strengthening biodiversity governance systems for the sustainable management of living natural resources in Cabo Verde” in ToRs development and approval processes for project consultancies and concept notes or eventual subcontracting activities in line with UNDP rules and procedures
• Elaborate/revise the work plan and budget and submit draft workplans/budgets timely, assuring the liaison of the other programs and initiatives of the Portfolio in consultation with the UNDP Country Office and GPMTSU.
• Supervise the work of national experts 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.
• Maintain regular communication and 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. 
• Manager 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, including through technical support for the data collection, analysis, and conclusions of the BER and support for the data collection, modelling, quality checking, and validation of the FNA.
• Liase the project processes and products with relevant national planning biodiversity and finance relevant processes, such as NBSAP updates and Global Biodiversity Framework implementation. 
• 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)

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The NSPA reports to Programme Specialist, Energy, Environment and Climate Change.

Under the supervision of the Programme Specialist, Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Project Analyst in Biodiversity financing primary responsibility to support in the management of the projects to ensure they produce the results specified in the respective project documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and costs.

He/she reports regularly and directly to the Programme Specialist, Energy, Environment and Climate Change about progress achieved in the support of the management of the projects and initiatives.

At the global level, this global umbrella programme will be supported by a GPMTSU. 

At the national level, each country will have, as a requirement and as part of the National Project Management Unit (NPMU), a full-time dedicated Project Lead/Sustainable Finance Expert, a Finance Specialist supported by a part time Project Support Associate, and consultants, such an Environmental Policy consultant, and others, as needed. The NPMU should be co-located with appropriate government agency(ies) in principle working side by side with government staff.

Like the global level, the Project Lead is the senior most representative of the National Project Management Unit (NPMU) and is 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 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.

He/she reports to the Programme Specialist, Energy, Environment and Climate Change about progress achieved in the support of the management of the project #GEF8 Umbrella programme to design a national Biodiversity Finance Plan”. The Project Analyst in Biodiversity financing primary responsibility to support in the management of the projects to ensure they produce the results specified in the respective project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and costs.

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

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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