Project Associate for Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) and ASEAN Blue Economy

Background

About UNDP and its Works in Indonesia

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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. UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at@UNDP.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, dedicated to advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build better lives, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Operating in over 170 countries and territories, UNDP collaborates with governments and communities to address global and national development challenges, empowering lives and building resilient nations. 

In Indonesia, the UNDP Country Programme (2021-2025) is implemented in partnership with the Government of Indonesia to address the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) Project

• The Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) Project aims to develop a methodology for quantifying the biodiversity finance gap at the national level, for improving cost-effectiveness through mainstreaming of biodiversity into national development and sectoral planning, and for developing comprehensive national finance plans. The initiative aligns with Indonesia's national biodiversity and climate policies, including: (i) National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP), (ii) Low Carbon Development Framework (LCDI), (iii) Indonesia's commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and (iv) Paris Agreement.
• Through a bottom-up approach, BIOFIN helps mobilize sustainable funding for biodiversity protection and strengthens national ownership of conservation efforts. In this context, BIOFIN supports the national implementation of National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAPs) by conducting: (i) Policy and Institutional Review (PIR), (ii) Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER), (iii) Finance needs assessment (cost and gap analysis), (iv) Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP), and (v) Implementation of Financial Solutions.

ASEAN Blue Economy Project

• The Blue Economy is a key driver of sustainable and inclusive growth in ASEAN. Recognizing its transformative potential, UNDP Indonesia, with funding from the Government of Japan, is leading efforts to accelerate blue economy development across ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. Two flagship projects driving this agenda forward are: (1) ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation (ABEi) Project (2024-2025), and (2) Amplifying Blue Economy Growth through Enhanced Blue Carbon and Financing Profiling ("Blue Carbon and Financing") Project (2025-2026).
• These projects aims to: (i) foster innovative solutions in the blue economy sector, (ii) enhance technical expertise and cross-border knowledge exchange, (iii) leverage cutting-edge research in blue carbon and sustainable financing, and (iv) strengthen collaboration between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners, including Japan.
• To ensure effective implementation of both projects, UNDP is hiring two (2) Project Associates who will provide critical operational, administrative, and financial support. Under overall the guidance of the respective National Project Manager, she/he will be responsible to (i) oversee procurement processes and ensure compliance with UNDP Standard Operations Procedures (SOP), (ii) manage administrative and financial workflows efficiently, (iii) ensure timely project delivery that meets partners' expectations, and (iv) collaborate with UNDP teams, government institutions, and external partners to facilitate smooth operations. In this context, the Project Associates will play key role in supporting biodiversity financing in Indonesia and blue economy initiatives in ASEAN and contributing to SDGs in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities

The direct supervisors of these activities are the respective National Project Manager. She/He will work closely with project teams, operations units, and programme staff in the office to provide support for procurement implementation and to ensure adequate exchange of information. In addition, the incumbent will also support the coordination and building partnership with key governments and other development partners.

The Project Associates will support the projects, with close coordination with the relevant department within UNDP, related government institutions and third parties. S/He will be responsible for the following tasks:

Support the project team to ensure effective project planning and implementation focusing on achievement of the following results

• Compiling and summarizing information and data for the formulation of project work plans. In consultation with project team, draft annual/quarterly budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and on other specific project related procurement.
• Provide comprehensive support in all aspects of procurement implementation in accordance with the project documents, annual work plans and other agreements between UNDP and responsible partners. Review procurement documents for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures and identify inconsistencies for referral to supervisor. Ensure quality of delivery by consultants, beneficiaries, and contracted companies; and communicate findings to the supervisor.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to ensure successful project delivery that includes organization/coordination of project events, procurement and admin-related activities, contract management, recruitment, and coordination of field visits and project-related missions.
• Establish and maintain contacts and cooperation with project team, key government counterparts, government institutions, tertiary institutions, partners, technology provider and other relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and updating procurement dashboard regarding progress of the relevant procurement activities for the project and inform the progress to the project team, government partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure regular communication and coordination with all project teams, government partners, project counterparts, stakeholders, and beneficiaries; and develop and maintain effective mechanisms for integrating and responding to their feedback and insight.
• Collect, analyze and present information for monitoring and evaluation of procurement implementation against project targets as well as for audit purposes. Identify gaps in implementation and provide support in bridging those gaps in consultation with supervisor and partners.
• Assist in the organization of field and study visits, missions, workshops, roundtables, and conferences within the project.
• Regularly monitor expenditures and commitments against the project logistics, budget and relevant plans, and provide information to support project implementation. When necessary, recommend corrective actions and draft various correspondence concerning operations, and logistics issues.
• Prepare and consolidate required procurement reports on a timely basis and in line with donor requirements.

Support the effective reporting on progress of project implementation

Support strategic partnerships, communication, and support to the implementation of resource mobilization

• Support in updating database of the relevant public and development partners private sector, civil society and other stakeholders relevant to the project;
• In coordination with UNDP's Communication unit and other relevant counterpart communications department, support documentation of the project activities as a tool to communicate results, deepen stakeholder knowledge and buy-in to the project, and resource mobilization for the project

Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results

• Regular capacity development and trainings to relevant staff of the country partners on finance, procurement and/or any other administrative rules/regulations.
• Provide proper information to the related third parties on any financial/administrative rules in UNDP whenever required to support any meetings/ training/ workshops;
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices on Finance and any other operations issues.
• Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff, and contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Ensure active participation in learning and knowledge sharing in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming.

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 is respected within all implementations including data production.
• 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

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 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

2030 Agenda: People

• Gender: Gender and Energy

Ethics

• Ethics Advice & Guidance: Ability to quickly analyse complex fact patterns and provide comprehensive, sensitive, and confidential ethics advice and guidance

2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness

• Innovation: Build Portfolio Coherence

Audit & Investigation

• Fraud awareness and Investigation Techniques: Basic Knowledge to understand the foundations of fraud, how to detect red flags and conduct initial fact findings.

Digital

• Data Literacy: Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation.  Ability to use a mix of data sources {quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration.

Business Management

• Project management Framework: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• University Degree (bachelor's degree) in Economic, Management, Agribusiness, Finance Management or equivalent field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor's degree) of professional experience in the field of development.
• Advance knowledge of spreadsheet/excel and database packages, Microsoft words, power point, outlook, etc.;
• Experience in handling administrative things of the project, in particular has good knowledge on any financial/operations, procurement rules/ regulations of both UN and Government Rules/Regulations.
• Solid experience in the project reporting, particularly in relation to any required administrative supporting documents for implementation of projects' activities;
• Good inter-personal and team building skills;
• Demonstrated experience with UNDP development projects in Indonesia;
• Knowledge and experience dealing with various donor's reporting requirements;
• Experience working environment with the government officers and/or project management unit at the ministry;
• Familiar with Government and UN/UNDP procedures would be desirable;
• Experience in handling administrative of large/huge procurement budget would be highly desirable.
• Experience in the field of development preferably in environment, biodiversity and/or blue economy
• Familiar with any UN rules/policies on travel arrangement, meetings/trainings/workshops, etc.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia 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.

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