UNDP Biodiversity Finance Analyst Jobs in South Africa
Job Description
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.
The United Nations Development programme (UNDP) South Africa country office is looking for a qualified and experienced national expert in biodiversity finance to provide technical support in the effective implementation of the UNDP’s Biodiversity finance Initiative “BIOFIN”. The initiative aims to mobilize financial resources to enhance biodiversity conservation in South Africa. It is jointly implemented by UNDP and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
Objective and scope of work
The core responsibility of the National Biodiversity Finance Analyst is to provide overall technical guidance at the national level to implement the identified Finance Solutions. The National Biodiversity Finance Analyst will work in close collaboration with the BIOFIN Project management Specialist (UNDP) National Project Coordinator of South Africa (DFFE), and other National BIOFIN Team members, UNDP CO and the UNDP BIOFIN global team to assure the high-quality delivery of BIOFIN outcomes of the Finance Solutions implemented at the national level.
The National Biodiversity Finance Analyst is expected to have good experience and to provide substantial technical expertise in assuring horizontal integration and consistency of workstreams/studies, as well as quality assurance of national products and processes throughout the duration of the project. S/he will provide sound technical expertise and implementation of finance solutions.
S/he will support outreach activities to national (Private Sector, Financial institutions, 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.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Summary of key function:
Technical guidance:
Develop/review and implement BIOFIN South Africa finance solutions, in coordination with national finance solution working groups and key experts at the global level, as well as the national level (with the BIOFIN National Project Coordinator at DFFE and BIOFIN Programme Management Specialist to support the implementation of the BIOFIN finance solutions). This may include a set of measures or activities addressing legal, institutional, entrepreneurial, financial, awareness, and capacity matters to put the BIOFIN results into action;
Provide technical leadership and support to the working groups and experts implementing the BIOFIN South Africa finance solutions, including reviewing reports for quality assurance, conducting necessary meetings, workshops, and field visits to support progress and guarantee the quality of work;
Contribute to the national dialogue on policies and measures that can improve the sustainable management and protection of South Africa’s natural resources.
Strategic partnerships, promotion, and awareness:
Work with the BIOFIN National Project Coordinator and Project Management Specialist to create strategic alliances with other partners on biodiversity finance;
Facilitate collaboration between partners and key stakeholders in the development/review of new finance solutions;
Provide opportunities for enhancing private sector collaboration on finance plans and hence coordinating where applicable task teams comprising of pubic, private and private stakeholders;
Development of partnerships with the Private Sector, Financial institutions in biodiversity financing based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
Establish and maintain links with other national and international programmes, projects and priorities (e.g. NBSAP, GEF programmes, and integration of national priorities such as the White paper on Sustainable Use).
Facilitating knowledge building and management
Creating high level advocacy on pertinent development policies instruments across the representatives of top echelon of the country’s stakeholders;
Advocating for UNDP with Financial Institutions and Private Sector counterparts;
Develop and share knowledge on biodiversity financing for sustainable development;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Organization of training for BIOFIN project stakeholders on biodiversity financing issues.
Minimum education requirements:
Advanced (Master’s) University degree or Bachelor’s degree in Finance and/or Accounting, business administration, economics, environmental economics, environmental finance or a closely related field.
Candidates with professional accounting qualifications from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete the Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
Candidates satisfying the two above criteria are exempted from undertaking the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT).
Candidates with MBA or masters in finance with no accountancy qualification but with relevant experience must successfully undertake the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT) to be eligible for shortlisting.
Minimum years of relevant work experience:
Minimum 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in providing financial management services, and/or managing staff and operational systems;
Experience in sustainable finance, capital markets, banking (corporate finance), public finance, conservation finance or environmental finance.
Required Skills:
Experience in green finance, particularly especially biodiversity finance;
Exposure to operations of the financial sector i.e. banking, capital markets etc;
Strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations;
Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team;
Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under short deadlines;
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
Able to work independently with little or no supervision;
Experience in dealing with international and national experts and institutions;
Evident exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity;
Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
Previous experience or involvement in the BIOFIN Initiative would be an added advantage;
Familiarity with government and financial sector operations in South Africa strongly desired;
A self-starter with strong internal motivation, able to set up systems and procedures in a ‘start up’ environment;
Commercially astute: A high degree of financial sector operations awareness;
Flexibility: readily adapts to change, new products, systems, methods, and products;
Demonstrated ability to network and strike collaborative linkages;
Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is desirable.
Language
Fluency in English, with excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skill.
Professional Certificates
Professional Certificates · Any professional certifications in green finance, banking, ESG, Environmental finance, corporate finance, capital markets etc. is an added advantage.
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; UNDP Biodiversity Finance Analyst Jobs in South Africa
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