Technical Specialist Biodiversity Financing (Team Leader) - (Open to all applicants)2 applicants)

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background/ Project Description

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is a global programme launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2012 to support countries in addressing biodiversity finance gaps through systematic analysis and the identification of innovative, scalable financing solutions. BIOFIN supports Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) by strengthening the economic case for biodiversity conservation and enabling countries to mobilize public and private finance for nature-positive outcomes at the national level.

In Zambia, BIOFIN has been implemented in two distinct phases. Phase I (2015–2021) focused on rolling out the BIOFIN methodology to establish a robust analytical foundation for biodiversity finance. This phase successfully delivered the Biodiversity Expenditure Review (BER), Policy and Institutional Review (PIR), Finance Needs Assessment, and culminated in the development of Zambia’s Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP). These outputs provided the first comprehensive assessment of biodiversity financing needs, institutional constraints, and potential finance solutions to address the national biodiversity finance gap.

Phase II (2022–present) has focused on the implementation of priority finance solutions identified in the BFP, with an emphasis on systems-level reform and private-sector mobilization. During this phase, BIOFIN has played a central role in supporting the development of Zambia’s Green Finance Taxonomy, including a corresponding tagging and reporting framework for the financial sector, in close collaboration with the Government of Zambia through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. BIOFIN has also supported the development of Zambia’s green bond market, working closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission to strengthen the policy and regulatory environment for green bond issuance, including the development of national green bond guidelines.

In addition, BIOFIN is an active member of the Green Finance Mainstreaming Working Group, contributing to broader efforts to advance Zambia’s green finance agenda. The initiative is currently supporting the development of a Green Finance Strategy and advancing additional financing solutions aimed at closing the biodiversity and nature finance gap, including work on nature-related financial risks, protected area financing, blended finance mechanisms, and other innovative instruments to crowd in public and private investment for nature in Zambia.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will provide technical advisory support to the BIOFIN Project Team during the ongoing implementation of BIOFIN Phase II, including the design and operationalization of innovative biodiversity and green finance solutions. The role involves close collaboration and coordination with key government institutions, regulators, private-sector actors, and development partners, as well as the preparation and submission of policy and technical papers to relevant ministries to support approval, adoption, and implementation by the Government of Zambia.

The scope of work covers the following specific areas:

A. Design and Implementation of Biodiversity and Green Finance Solutions

• Lead and support the design, operationalization, and implementation of innovative biodiversity and green finance solutions, guided by Zambia’s Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP) and aligned with national development and environmental priorities;
• Provide technical guidance to ensure solutions are practical, scalable, and capable of mobilizing public, private and other applicable finance;
• Support the translation of analytical and policy work into implementable financing instruments and programmes.

B. Stakeholder Engagement, Coordination, and Partnerships

• Lead engagement and coordination with key government institutions, regulators, private-sector actors, financial institutions, and development partners;
• Foster strategic partnerships, with a strong emphasis on the private and financial sectors, to crowd in private capital and participation in biodiversity and green finance initiatives;
• Provide technical inputs into key national policy and commitment processes related to nature and biodiversity (e.g. NBSAP implementation and updates, related strategies, and international commitments), ensuring alignment with BIOFIN priorities and financing solutions;
• Support and be part of inter-ministerial and multi-stakeholder platforms and working groups relevant to green and biodiversity finance.

C. Technical Advisory and Knowledge Development

• Prepare and review technical and policy papers, briefs, concept notes, and other knowledge products to support decision-making, approvals, and implementation;
• Where necessary, review and update core BIOFIN analytical outputs (including the Policy and Institutional Review, Biodiversity Finance Needs Assessment, and Biodiversity Finance Plan) to ensure continued relevance, accuracy, and applicability in the evolving national context;
• Develop and oversee Terms of Reference (ToRs) for consultants and provide technical supervision and quality assurance on assigned outputs;
• Contribute to strategic communication and positioning of BIOFIN through dissemination of results, presentations, and engagement events.

D. UNDP Country Office Coordination and Programme Support

• Support BIOFIN integration within UNDP Country Office programming, including collaboration with environment, climate, and finance portfolios;
• Contribute to internal coordination, planning, and alignment with UNDP corporate, programme, and partnership requirements.

E. Reporting and Ad Hoc Assignments

• Prepare and submit bi-annual and annual BIOFIN project reports for UNDP review and acceptance;
• Submit reports on technical advisory work undertaken and participation in ad hoc assignments requested by BIOFIN Global, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, and the UNDP Country Office;
• Support additional reporting and coordination requirements as needed.

F. Cross Cutting Requirement:

• Undertake any other tasks, as may be reasonably required, to support the effective and smooth implementation of the BIOFIN programme.

Institutional Arrangement

The Technical Specialist will be under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the:

• Regional Technical Advisor for Africa Region BIOFIN and
• Zambia Country Office Energy & Environment Head of Unit, the
• Director Green Economy and Climate Change, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment.

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable LEVEL objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop innovative 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 Direction & Strategy :- Strategic Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks, and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight to model what future developments and ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Direction & Strategy :- Effective decision making

• Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise, and resources.

Business Direction & Strategy :- Business acumen

• Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organisation and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.

Business Direction & Strategy:- Entrepreneurial Thinking

• Ability to create clarity around UNDP Value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offerings responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.

Business Management :- 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.

Business Management :- Change Management

• Ability to prepare, support, and help individuals and teams in designing and implementing organizational change.

Business Management:- Communication

• Ability to 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;
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum Education requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Finance, Economics or a closely related field OR:
• A first-level university degree (bachelor´s degree) in the above fields, or related fields with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum years of relevant work experience

• Minimum 5 years (with master´s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas is required: sustainable finance, capital markets, banking, corporate finance, public finance, or natural resource or environmental management.

Required skills

• Exposure to financial sector operations, including banking, capital markets, or related institutions;
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality publications, reports, and presentations;
• Proven ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams;
• Strong motivation and ability to deliver quality outputs under tight deadlines;
• Results-oriented, with a strong focus on impact and responsiveness to constructive and critical feedback;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
• Experience engaging with international and national experts, institutions, and stakeholders;
• Demonstrated exposure to environmental, biodiversity, or natural resource management issues;
• Sound working knowledge of standard software packages (e.g. MS Office);
• Self-starter with strong internal motivation and the ability to establish systems and processes in a dynamic or “start-up” environment;
• Demonstrated ability to network, build partnerships, and establish collaborative linkages across sectors;
• Commercially astute, with a solid understanding of financial sector dynamics and market considerations;
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities, tools, systems, and methods.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Familiarity with government systems and financial sector operations in Zambia is strongly desired;
• Demonstrated experience in green finance, biodiversity finance, ESG, or sustainable finance;
• Previous experience or involvement in the BIOFIN Initiative is an added advantage;
• Proven experience in partnership, especially in donor mapping and donor engagement;
• Experience supporting consultations, workshops, or stakeholder engagement processes involving government, financial sector actors, or development partners;
• Previous work experience with the UN/UNDP/International organizations;
• Demonstrated ability to meet aggressive deadlines per business demands, and ability to change work schedule to accommodate competing priorities.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English, with excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills.

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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