Antecedentes
*The candidates who have previously applied to this position need not to reapply
Available evidence and decisions adopted by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) indicate a significant gap in finance for biodiversity management – a major barrier for countries to scale up their efforts and achieve the 20 Aichi Targets defined in the CBD’s Strategic Plan for 2011-2020. While various global and national estimates exist, detailed national-level (bottom-up) assessments are required to provide more robust information on the biodiversity finance gap, fully taking into account the effects of the enabling policy environment. These need to be followed by significant national campaigns to mobilize the necessary resources to fill this gap. In this context, UNDP and the European Union launched the project “Building Transformative Policy and Financing Frameworks to Increase Investment in Biodiversity Management” that seeks to build a sound business case for increased investment in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity at the national level. With the Governments of Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Flanders and 30 beneficiary countries having joined this project since, it has grown into a multi-partner global endeavor – the UNDP-managed Biodiversity Finance Initiative – BIOFIN (www.biodiversityfinance.net), set to run up to 2018.
The BIOFIN approach was designed to assess–at national level–the biodiversity enabling context, biodiversity expenditures, biodiversity finance needs, and to establish an engagement process for the adoption and implementation of a finance plan for biodiversity. BIOFIN is hosted by the Ecosystems and Biodiversity (EBD) team under the Sustainable Development Cluster of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). With this call, UNDP is seeking the services of a Junior Consultant, with a focus on researching sustainable finance, as well as, to provide support on related knowledge management and advocacy tasks. The consultant will be hosted within the Sustainable Development Cluster team in New York. For additional information on the scope of activities please visit the BIOFIN website (see above) and the Financing Solutions for Sustainable Development Platform (www.undp.org/content/sdfinance).
Deberes y responsabilidades
Scope of work:
Under the guidance and supervision of the Innovative Finance Policy Specialist, the overall supervision by the BIOFIN Manager, and in close collaboration with the global BIOFIN Team, the Consultant will:
- Produce a detailed work plan based on the tasks below (due 15 days after commencing assignment).
- Assist the BIOFIN Global Team in conducting research over the use, implementation, evaluation and design of sustainable finance strategies, tools and instruments (referred as “solutions”). In this context the consultant will be required to:
- Produce draft technical fiches on selected finance solutions (3), e.g. harmful subsidies to biodiversity, working with foundations and impact investment. For examples of fiches already produced visit: www.undp.org/content/sdfinance/en/home/solutions.html (1st draft due 30 days after commencing assignment; final draft due by end of contract).
- Contribute to research and original writing towards knowledge products, with particular reference to the screening and prioritization of finance solutions and broader research efforts on public finance (e.g. result based budgeting, incentives for delivery, etc.) (due 60 days after commencing assignment).
- Lead the preparation of detailed guidance documents on how to design and implement finance solutions for biodiversity based on priorities set by the BIOFIN Global Team (due by end of contract).
- Assist the BIOFIN Global Team in the review and upgrade of the Conservation Finance Alliance Guide (www.conservationfinance.org/guide/guide/) through background research, literature review, production of original content and the provision of support to the working group to be established to for the update of the Guide in the CFA (due by end of contract).
- Support the maintenance and upgrade of the Financing Solutions for Sustainable Development platform by updating information in the website, improving the design, and liaising with the communication team. The Consultant is also expected to facilitate the alignment of the platform with the new BIOFIN website, the upcoming CFA Guide website, and the mapping of actions contained in national biodiversity strategies (due by end of contract). The work needs to be aligned closely with priorities of the CBD and its parties
In addition the Consultant is expected to:
- Liaise with expert stakeholders from the academic, scientific, private sector and third-sector in order to support the continuous improvement of the BIOFIN Framework;
- Assist in the development of additional guidance and training materials in relation to sustainable finance solutions and the above mentioned topics;
- Through various communications and media channels, and with guidance from the UNDP and BIOFIN communications specialist, to raise the visibility of UNDP and BIOFIN work;
- Support the organization of global, regional and national technical workshops, when required.
Information on Working Arrangements
- To be considered for this consultancy, the consultant must either be a US Permanent Resident, US Citizen, or holder of a valid G4 visa at the time of their application and whose G4 visa has been acquired on account of their partner’s full time employment in the UN Systems based in New York or Washington, DC;
- The consultant will work from UNDP’s Headquarters offices in New York;
- Estimated level of effort: 120 days over 6 months;
- The initial contract will be for 6 months, with the possibility of renewal for an additional six months dependent on demand for services, availability of financial resources and good performance;
- The consultant will be provided with a work station (internet, access to scanner/printer, etc.) but will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop;
- The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
- Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the consultant is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones;
- Payments will be made upon submission of a detailed time sheet and certification of payment form, and acceptance and confirmation by the BIOFIN Manager on days worked and outputs delivered.
Competencias
Corporate:
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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.
Functional:
Professionalism:
- Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
- Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and observing deadlines and achieving results;
- Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
Technical Competencies:
- Analytic capacity and demonstrated ability to process, analyze and synthesize complex, technical information from different disciplines;
- Ability to innovate, combining methodological approaches and data from various levels and disciplines including economics, finance, development and conservation;
- Proven ability to support the development of high quality knowledge and training materials, and to train technical teams.
Communication:
- Speaks and writes clearly and effectively, listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
- Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
- Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Technological awareness:
- Keeps abreast of available technology;
- Demonstrated ability and knowledge in the design and management of websites and complex information management systems;
- Shows willingness to learn new technology.
Teamwork:
- Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
- Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
- Willing to learn from others.
Habilidades y experiencia requeridas
Education:
- Master’s degree or higher in economics, finance, environmental studies or development studies; preference will be given to candidates with a specialization in environmental economics or public/private finance (max. 25 points).
Experience:
- Minimum two years of professional or research experience in sustainable development finance (green, environmental, conservation finance, ESG, etc.), development economics, private finance and/or environmental economics (max. 35 points);
- Experience with producing policy-related analysis, articles, blogs and/or drafting economic/financial reports or tools that are clear and concise. Please attach or provide links to at least 2 samples of recent work (articles or blogs) (max. 10 points);
- Working experience in an international/ development context is an asset (max. 10 points);
- Experience with using online communication tools-e.g. website management, social media is a strong asset (max. 10 points).
Language:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (max. 10 points).
Evaluation Method:
- Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated;
- Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the technical criteria will be weighted at 70% and the financial offer will be weighted at 30%;
- The technical criteria (education, experience and language [max. 100 points], and interview [max. 60 points]) will be based on a maximum of 160 points. Only the top 5 candidates scoring 70 points or above from the review of the education, experience and language will be considered for the interview;
- Candidates obtaining 42 points or higher in the interview will deemed technically qualified and considered for financial evaluation;
- Financial score (max 100 points) shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal of those technically qualified;
- The financial proposal shall specify an all-inclusive daily fee. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal must additionally include a breakdown of the fee (including number of anticipated working days and all foreseeable expenses to carry out the assignment);
- Applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.
Documentation to be submitted
- Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P11) to be downloaded from the below link;
- Please provide a link to at least 2 samples of recent work (articles or blogs) demonstrating experience with producing applied policy-related analysis and drafting economic/financial reports. Failure to meet this requirement will lead to automatic disqualification of application;
- Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application.
- Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed Annex II Offeror´s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) assignment to be downloaded from the UNDP procurement site.
Kindly note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).
UNDP Personal History form (P11) required of all applicants:
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.
General Conditions of Contract for the ICs:
Annex II Offeror´s letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) assignment
http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=36590