Background

Candidates who previously applied need not apply again.

The Building Transformative Policy and Financing Frameworks to Increase Investment in Biodiveristy Management project seeks to develop a methodology for mainstreaming biodiversity into national development and sectoral planning, and for addressing the biodiversity financing gap. There are two main challenges related to this. First, a comprehensive assessment of the funding baseline, and an evaluation of the true costs and cost effectiveness of biodiversity management have not been undertaken. Secondly, credible, hard data on the amount of funding needed to address biodiversity loss, taking cost-effectiveness into account, is not available. The lack of such information hinders countries from making a sound business case for expenditure on biodiversity management. In order to meet the new targets set by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for 2011-2020, efforts to address the underlying challenges will need to be drastically scaled up. This means, inter alia, that a significant increase in finance will be essential.

The project will contribute to closing the global financing gap for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity by assisting developing countries in identifying, accessing, combining and sequencing sources of biodiversity funding to meet their specific needs. The specific objectives of the project are to develop, test (in pilot countries) and disseminate:

  • A framework for mainstreaming biodiversity into national development and sectoral planning;
  • A methodology for assessing a country’s biodiversity financing needs; and
  • A framework for national-level biodiversity financing.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Environmental and Business Specialist shall have the following responsibilities:

  •  Lead completion of BIOFIN parts 2+3, in close coordination and collaboration with the National NBSAP/BIOFIN Project Coordinator and Senior Finance Expert;
  • Collaborate with the national team to ensure that outputs are delivered on time and on budget and to high quality standards, providing technical guidance as required;
  • Coordinate the compilation of relevant data and liaise with relevant agencies and partners as required;
  • Ensure the BIOFIN project builds on other national projects and activities, including the NBSAP process;
  • Provide feedback and assessment on the BIOFIN methodology including the assessment frameworks (workbook);
  • Attend NBSAP Technical Working Group and participate in meetings of the BIOFIN Sub-TWG.

Competencies

Corporate competencies
  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
Functional and technical competencies
  • Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity is required;
  • Sound understanding of key software packages (MS Office);
  • Preferably with sufficient knowledge of UNDP and GEF and some level of familiarity with its operations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education
  • Degree in business management, finance, economics or a closely related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.
Experience
  • At least 10 years of experience in resource valuation, business planning, environmental economics, preferably;
  • Experience in dealing with international and national experts and institutions.
Language     
  • Very good command of oral and written English.

Open to Nationals of Philippines only.