UNDP Jobs - 73566- Trust Fund Specialist

Trust Fund Specialist

Location :

Mongolia, MONGOLIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

16-Aug-2017

Application Deadline :

03-Aug-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

60 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

over 4 months from Aug - Dec 2017

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

Mongolian Environmental trust fund (METF) was established the early 1990-ies, with an aim to create a sustainable financing source for the "National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan, Mongolia". The goal was to establish a capital of 10 million USD in endowment and to fund projects on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, support the running costs as well as the operation of the fund itself. However, METF was revoked later in 2004 with an asset a little over 2 million USD. The potential reasons for revoking the METF include: (i) during that period there was no proper legal framework for establishing any type of fund; (ii) private sector, in particularly banking system, was poorly developed; (iii) national development strategy and national plans were vague; and (iv) considerable discrepancies between difference government organizations, i.e. the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Environment. Nonetheless, Mongolia witnessed an incremental development changes since then. For instance: (i) following the Sustainable Development Goals or the 2030-Agenda, the Government of Mongolia approved the Sustainable Development Vision-2030; (ii) the GDP per capita was 329.78 USD in 1997, whereas it is more than 4000 USD in 2015; (iii) the legal framework for development planning and relevant sectoral systems is clearly established; (iv) banking and financial organizations in Mongolia is working towards establishing funds to ensure the sustainable environmental financing (i.e. the Green Credit Fund is under development by Mongolian Bankers’ Association in cooperation with various stakeholders including Ministry of Environment and Tourism, GGGI, UNEP-FI, PAGE and etc). Therefore, UNDP envisages that it is a good timing to explore the opportunities to establish an Environmental Trust Fund (ETF) in Mongolia.

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is a global partnership available in 31 countries including Mongolia. BIOFIN is managed by UNDP Country Office (UNDP CO), and funded by the European Commission and the Governments of Flanders, Germany, Norway and Switzerland. UNDP believes a transformation is needed in the way biodiversity finance is planned and managed, unlocking resources to meet the Aichi Targets, defined in the CBD’s Strategic Plan 2011-2020. Primary goal of BIOFIN is to build a sound business case for increased investment in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity. Since the commencement of the project in September 2015, the national team in Mongolia obtained the main outcomes under Components 1-3, which include: 1) Biodiversity Policy and Institutional Review; 2) Biodiversity Expenditure Review; 3) Finance needs assistance; and 4) Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP).

The next step of the project is to initiate implementation of the BFP at national (Component 4). One of the financial solutions included in the BFP is the establishment of Environmental Trust Fund (ETF). UNDP CO is seeking an international consultant to conduct the feasibility study on establishing ETF in Mongolia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the BIOFIN lead expert and the respective programme analyst the international consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Review relevant plans, programs, and studies

Review National Biodiversity Programme, BIOFIN reports including Policy and institutional Review, Biodiversity Expenditure Review and Finance Needs Assessment;
Assess national conservation funding strategies, sources and needs;
Assess potential contributions of the ETF towards achieving the biodiversity goals in existing national plans and programs, and the Sustainable Development Vision-2030 in a greater extend.

2. Conduct baseline assessment:

Identify criteria for economic, legal, geographic, environmental and social aspects and develop key performance indicators (KPI) to assess the feasibility of ETF;
Organize interviews, workshops and group discussions with diverse stakeholder groups in Mongolia to solicit their views on general support for the ETF and specific establishment and design issues;
Analyse the lessons learnt from the previous Mongolian Environment Trust Fund;

3. Conduct feasibility study on Establishment of Trust Fund:

Assess current and probable levels of commitment by various stakeholders to participate actively and transparently in the ETF development process, including provision of time, expertise, potential projects, etc.
Conduct assessment of host government support and political willingness to establish ETF;
Conduct assessment of potential support by both internal and external donors (bilateral, multilateral, private foundations, individuals, etc.), including likelihood of financial contributions to ETF, as well as views on overall ETF purpose and specific design issues. (Research will be conducted through interviews with select donors.)
Conduct assessment of potential contribution from private sector in Mongolia;
Illustrate the detailed financial scorecard of ETF with clear definition of beneficiaries, financial issues, internal business process, and potential to grow;

4. ETF design and follow-up strategy for implementation

Based on the research conducted above, analyse and recommend key design options for a ETF, and recommend specific next steps for a follow-up implementation strategy if an ETF is determined feasible.
If the creation of a ETF seems feasible, prepare detailed Terms of Reference for ETF design and early start-up phases. This should include a description and timetable for activities, performance benchmarks, types and qualifications of specialists needed, required time-frames, and estimated budget.

Competencies

Competencies:

Highly organized person, sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently.
Able to gather and process data and information.
Excellent interpersonal skills to network among the national team and beyond to other national institutions.
Writes clearly professional correspondence adequately.
Shares knowledge and is willing to provide support to others who request advice or help.
Works toward creative solutions by analysing problems carefully and logically.
Maintains professional relationships with supervisors, co-workers and clients.
Sound understanding of key software packages (MS Office)
Strong oral and written English.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Degree in environmental studies, economics, law, natural resources management or a closely related field, or another field combined with relevant work experience.
Postgraduate degree in relevant field is an asset.

Experience:

At least 10 years of experience in design and successful implementation of environmental projects;
Proven track record on design and establishment of biodiversity Trust Funds;
Experience in dealing with international and national experts and institutions in both developed and developing nations;
Strong knowledge on development issues, national policies and the SDGs is mandatory;
Exposure to and/or strong knowledge on environmental conservation and natural resources management is desirable;
Previous experience with UN/UNDP and development partners is desirable;
Good understanding and knowledge of environment sector financing in Central and East Asian countries is an additional asset;