UNDP Jobs - 60586- Local Development Investment Finance Advisor

Local Development Investment Finance Advisor

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2015

Application Deadline :

23-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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.

Background

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder for including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

As the UN system's development program and a GEF Implementing Agency since 1991, UNDP also supports countries in addressing development, climate, and ecosystem sustainability in an integrated manner. UNDP-GEF offers countries highly specialized technical services for eligibility assessment, program/project formulation, due diligence, mobilization of required co-financing, project implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management.

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process is among the high profile topics on adaptation under discussion in the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) under the Conference of Parties. Building on efforts that are underway from the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) the NAP process draws attention to the need for LDCs (and other countries) to identify, finance and implement appropriate medium- to long-term adaptation needs, including to balance sectoral and cross-sectoral priorities, at national, sub-national and local levels. Importantly, the medium- to long-term adaptation planning underpinning the NAPs should be multi-stakeholder oriented, and based on and guided by the best available science, rigorous collection and analysis of appropriate data, and consideration of experiences and good practices within, and outside, countries.

UNDP-GEF has been active in supporting countries with their NAP agenda through the following initiatives:

Global support programmes jointly implemented with UNEP for LDCs: “Assisting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) with country-driven processes to advance National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)” and ”Expanding the Ongoing Support to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) with country-driven processes to advance National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)”;
Global support programme jointly implemented with UNEP for non-LDCs: “Assisting non- LDC developing countries with country-driven processes to advance National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)”;
Stand-alone projects funded by LDCF/SCCF/AF;
Multi-country projects funded from bilateral donors (i.e., Governments from Japan and Germany).

The expansion in the number and scope of UNDP-led initiatives that provide support to countries to integrate climate change into medium and long-term planning processes (henceforth referred to as “UNDP Global Support Programme to NAPs”) results from a growing demand for countries’ Governments, as well as, the continuous interest in donors to contribute to the efficient integration of climate change into development plans and policies.

UNDP-GEF is recruiting a Local Development Investment Finance Advisor to support national and sub-national governments of countries participating in the above-mentioned projects in addressing barriers to access sustainable resources of capital financing. The incumbent will work under the guidance of the Senior Technical Advisor for Climate Change Adaptation. The position will be overseen by UNDP-GEF LECRDS team and will initially be based in Bangkok, Thailand although it may be re-deployed in accordance with capability and due process to a different regional hub as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Local Development Investment Finance Advisor will be responsible for providing technical leadership and policy advice to partner countries in coordination with UNDP Country Offices and other UN Agencies (where appropriate) in the following areas, as they contribute to the National Adaptation Plan process:

Municipal finance, local public finance and local private finance;
Private sector financing;
Application of business development strategies, and tools and mechanisms to build and maintain technical partnerships, introduce innovative investment finance approaches and capitalize on related business opportunities.

S/he will work with UN Agencies, governments, inter-governmental organizations, NGO’s, donors, and the private sector in accordance with the objective and outcomes of the project documents (approved by LDCF, SCCF, BMUB, Japan Government, etc.), in full alignment with UNDP’s key results as outlined in the corporate strategy. The work of the IFA will be undertaken in full compliance with UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures including on gender, environmental safeguards, etc. The work of the IFA will be overseen by UNDP-GEF.

Specifically, the IFA will work under the guidance of the STA for Climate Change Adaptation to deliver results in the areas of:

Municipal finance, local public finance and local private finance (40%):

Provide technical leadership and policy advice in the area of municipal finance, local public finance and local private finance – in particular in relation to integration of climate risks and information into municipal level infrastructure and service provision, local economic development, and the strengthening of municipal capacity;
Develop municipal level adaptation plans taking into account options for municipal finance, with use of all available and feasible sources of funding drawing on successful international best practice examples, the latest research and ideas, lessons of policy pilots and substantive dialogue with key practitioners and major national and international institutions (including application of local development finance diagnostic tools, instruments and approaches to constructively inform and contribute to these strategies and policies);
Provide leadership in identifying latest trends and opportunities, building strategic partnerships to ensure replication and scaling-up of best practices of municipal level planning to inform national level adaptation planning and finance;
Develop effective strategic partnerships with other partners, donors, and research and academic institutions, civil society, and private sector to increase visibility of the UNDP’s support to countries on integrating climate into local authority level finance and planning.

Private sector financing (30%):

Lead country-specific missions that focus on planning and finance at the local authority/municipal level, under guidance of the STA;
Guide capacity-building at the national and/or regional and global levels on how to constructively engage central and local governments and key stakeholders in integrating climate into planning and budgeting;
Provide advice to UNDP Country Offices (COs) on engagement of local and municipal governments in integrating climate into planning and budgeting processes, as well as, on issues related to local public and private finance.

Application of business development strategies, tools and mechanisms (30%):

Contribute to panels, seminars, expos, conferences and publications, as well as, consultation processes at global, regional and country levels where the focus is on local authority/municipal level planning and finance;
Development and contribution to knowledge-sharing networks on integrating climate into local development;
Lead UNDP’s work on evaluations, capturing, codifying, synthesizing and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of resource kits and other knowledge materials as they relate to the areas of municipal and local finance and plans;
Provides technical leadership in policy development and knowledge management in the areas of local development, local development finance, municipal finance and associated thematic areas including in relation to National Adaptation Plans.

Impact of Results

The results of the work of the Investment Finance Advisor under the guidance of the STA for CCA and Lead Technical Specialist will result in overall coherence, synergy and complementarity of the UNDP-led NAP programmes.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Technical Competencies:

Substantial demonstrated experience working with national, sub-national and local institutional structures, and systems of governance, including public financial management as well as engaging with the private sector;
Strong technical background in planning and implementation of local development, public service provision, multi-year capital investments programming and mid-term financial planning;
Professional understanding of the financial/economic implications of climate change on key sectors of local development and ability to provide guidance on the integration of climate risk management and, development of long term and medium term responses to climate change, within public and private sector institutions;
Practical familiarity with developed and developing countries best practice in local development finance and their replication in LDCs;
Demonstrated experience in guiding the design of regional and national initiatives for implementation of multi-sectoral and sectoral programmes and projects at different scales, and focused on support to local and municipal levels, and;
Ability to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines, geographic, economic, political and cultural environments.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to provide strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Skills in facilitation and coordination, entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
Demonstrates commitment to teamwork and to working across disciplines;
Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.

Client Orientation

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Management and Leadership

Professional, management, and leadership styles and approaches in various political, regional and cultural environments;
Excellent negotiating and networking skills;
Strong resource mobilization and partnering skills;
Strong ability to manage teams (across different locations) and decision-making skills;
Creates an enabling environment, mentoring and developing staff in a diverse environment;
Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from a wide spectrum of development experience;
Proven ability to coordinate global and regional initiatives and support country programmes with diverse needs.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Economics, Business, Public Finance, Public Administration, or related field.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant experience in planning, management and implementation of large scale regional, national and local investment and finance programmes preferably in the areas of: international development, environmental protection, water and sanitation, energy conservation and climate change adaptation
Minimum of 10 years of working experience in international development finance in developing countries, at field level (Expert Technical Advisor) and/or senior management positions (i.e. Team Leader, Chief of Party, Project Manager)
Proven experience in introducing various financing instruments for complementary private sector financing of public infrastructure projects and in municipal debt markets development;
Deep technical knowledge of local development planning and capital investment programming in urban and rural areas;
Practical experience working with key international donor, financing institutions and development banks in formulation and/or implementation of local investment finance programmes;
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
IT literacy, familiarity with e-presentation techniques and ability to operate with on-line web-based applications;
Work experience and familiarity with rules and technical operations of key international donor and financing organizations is an advantage, as is knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures.

Language Requirements:

Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills;
Proficiency in other UN languages is an asset.