[Hiring] Project Specialist on Investable Nature Project Pipeline @UNDP

Role Description

The Project Specialist on Investable Nature Project Pipeline will be part of the UNDP Global BIOFIN team and collaborate closely with the UNDP Nature Investment team. The Specialist will lead in the construction of private sector-related pipeline for investable projects to finance nature. The Specialist will work with the BIOFIN teams in country offices, directing country teams in stakeholder engagement, policy support for enabling environment, and designing a pipeline of investable projects.

Under the overall supervision of the BIOFIN Project Manager, the Specialist's role is primarily to provide global technical assistance, increase global partnerships with the private sector, train national teams, and ensure quality control over national pipelines.

Qualifications

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Management, Finance, Economics or a related field is required, OR a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the fields mentioned above with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the master’s degree.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional work experience in the finance sector, development banks, private equity, impact investment with linkage to environment, nature, climate, or sustainable finance.
• Experience in the private sector (corporate, private financial institution or development finance institution) is required.
• Experience managing relationships with the private sector and different types of investors and financiers including social and/or environmental impact investors is required.
• Experience in developing a pipeline of bankable projects in developing countries is required.
• Working experience with UNDP and/or another international organization is desirable.
• Experience in designing investable/bankable projects in developing countries in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, tourism, fisheries or water is desirable.
• Experience in setting up multi-partner / blended finance facilities/transactions is desirable.

Benefits

• As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate.
• UNDP is 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.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work home based and report to, and be directly supervised by, the UNDP BIOFIN Project Manager. The incumbent will work with the global Team, national Teams, UNDP Country Offices, core and donor country governments, other international/multi-lateral organizations, and contractors.

The incumbent will be responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to a stable, secure and reliable internet connection.

Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.

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
• Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:
  • Business Management – Partnerships Management: 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.
  • Business Management – Resource Management: Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity.
  • General – Event planning and execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.
  • 2030 Agenda: Planet – Climate: Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation Plans.
  • Partnerships Management – Emerging partnerships: Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships.
  • Business Management – Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • 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.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and encourages 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 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.

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.

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection.

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.