P5, Regional Advisor, SDG Finance

BACKGROUND & ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

UNDP's policy work carried out at Headquarters, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan 

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policies 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 fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. In addition, BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. While ensuring that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes, BPPS also assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. Lastly, BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven, including in its programme support efforts. In UNDP’s strategic plan, development finance is an enabler to advance the SDGs and support other programmatic areas of UNDP.

The world needs an economic governance architecture deliberately designed to support governments, development agencies, civil society, and the private sector to make decisions that prioritize investment in the SDGs. Thus, UNDP established the Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH) in 2019, aggregating UNDP’s existing work and expertise on financing the SDGs. UNDP aims to promote the investment of over $1 trillion of public expenditure and private capital in the SDGs and maximize development impact for country partners. With this goal, UNDP will mobilize governments, institutional and commercial investors, financial institutions, and enterprises alike to take a more integrated approach to sustainable investment, enabling and promoting the impact integrity of actual and realized investments to enhance transparency, and optimize private and public sectors contributions to achieving the SDGs. SFH is building an agile innovation platform that draws on a critical mass of UNDP expertise, initiatives across all parts of the organization and wide-ranging partnerships to support the mobilization and leveraging of financing for the SDGs, at national, regional, and global levels. SFH offers a comprehensive package of methods and tools and brings the best of UNDP to accelerate progress of the SDGs. 

UNDP’s work in Asia and the Pacific has a strong focus on sustainable finance. With a dominance  of Middle-Income Countries (MICs) in the region, declining trends in ODA, and challenging fiscal situations for many governments, ’ UNDP’s Bangkok Regional Hub seeks to  focus its SDG finance work on SDG-aligned and climate responsive private investments, promoting the use of blended finance and innovative finance facilities and instruments  while supporting a more strategic and impactful use of public finance to better respond to the interest of programme countries in diversifying financing and investment for the SDGs and climate action.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Regional Advisor- SDG Finance is part of the regional GPN leadership team in UNDP’s Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) and the UNDP Global Sustainable Finance Hub team. The Regional Advisor – SDG Finance reports to the GPN/Regional Programme Manager at BRH with a matrix reporting line to the Director of the Sustainable Finance Hub.

The Regional SDG Finance Advisor- SDG Finance leads and coordinates the regional SDG Finance team, which covers both public and private finance dimensions of UNDP’s SDG Finance work. The team supports UNDP Country Offices on demand in all areas pertaining to the SDG Finance portfolio and offers; and leads regional, sub-regional and cross-country programming pertaining to SDG finance under the umbrella of UNDP’s Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific. In doing so, the regional SDG Finance team works closely with the thematic GPN teams in the region and ensures the systematic integration of SDG financing dimensions across all areas of UNDP’s policy and programme work in the region.   

On the public finance side, the regional SDG Finance team supports Country Offices and governments in diversifying revenues and maximizing the development impact of public expenditures, using insurance and risk finance as well as a range of financial instruments. The Regional Advisor SDG Finance Advisor is expected to promote the strategic use of public finance, and to facilitate the design and implementation of blended finance and guarantees, for example. Through UNDP’s country Offices, the team works closely with ministries of finance, central and development banks, finance regulators and national guarantee entities on Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs), sustainable finance taxonomies, roadmaps and financing strategies, as well as on sustainability and SDG-impact driven reporting, decision-making and financing mechanisms (e.g., thematic national funds, public-private partnerships, guarantees, etc.). 

With regards to private sector development and investment, the regional SDG Finance team inter alia provides impact advisory services and works with national regulators to promote sustainability reporting and decision-making by listed companies. The Regional Advisor- SDG Finance is expected to provide substantive leadership, develop new  business models and offer advisory support to scale programmes and SFH offers related to: (i) SDG investment project pipelines,; (ii) leveraging public and private capital for SDG investment, including through de-risking, innovative digital financing instruments and risk-informed approaches; and (iii) promoting the alignment of business operations with the SDGs, including impact measurement, management services for enterprises, impact disclosure and reporting .

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the GPN/RP Manager at the BRH and in matrix reporting to the SFH Director, the Regional Advisor-SDG Finance will work closely with the regional GPN teams, UNDP Country Offices and partners to advance and scale the SDG Finance portfolio in the region. The incumbent will:

• Provide substantive leadership, strategic direction and thematic integration for the SDG Finance portfolio in the region.
• Lead and integrate SDG Finance policy and programme support to UNDP country offices in the region.
• Lead integrated regional and sub-regional programming in Sustainable Financing
• Lead regional exchanges, partnerships, and resource mobilization for SDG Financing
• Lead on SDG Finance advocacy, communications, and capacity development at regional and CO levels

1. Provide substantive leadership, strategic direction and thematic integration for the SDG Finance portfolio in the region.

• Provide substantive and technical leadership in all SDG Finance domains and ensure the seamless integration of SDG finance approaches, tools and instruments across all thematic areas of UNDP’s policy and programme work in the region, 
• Lead the integration of public, private and blended finance strategies and approaches at the regional level. 
• Provide technical leadership and expertise in the development, customization and structuring of innovative financial instruments, frameworks and mechanisms to enhance and scale SDG-financing in the region. 
• Provide strategic guidance and advisory support to unlock private finance from international and domestic sources for the SDGs and climate action, informed by lessons learned and innovative approaches to address development priorities.
• Provide thought leadership and engage in country-level, regional, and global fora as needed and as relevant to move the sustainable finance agenda forward. 

2. Lead and integrate SDG Finance policy and programme support to UNDP country offices in the region.

• Lead and provide policy and programme advisory support to UNDP country offices (COs) and partners on all SDG finance offers, including financing strategies, regulatory and policy developments, such as sustainable finance taxonomies and sustainable finance roadmaps, and the design/implementation of mechanisms for scaling up financing for the SDGs, 
• Coordinate and provide oversight of the SDG Finance team’s provision of support to CO in all areas of SDG Finance, including the review and quality assurance of knowledge products, strategy and programme documents, and in the context of the regional bureau’s CO business plans.
• Support the development of integrated project, programme and portfolio proposals to enable COs to deliver quality SDG Finance support across all policy and programme areas. 
• Advise and support CO engagement with the private sector in promoting impact-oriented investments, effective use of guarantees and blended financing as well as sustainability and SDG-aligned reporting.
• Nurture and mobilize public and private SDG finance partnerships to scale the scope, impact and relevance of UNDP’s SDG Finance support in the region.
• Proactively support the identification of SDG finance expertise through UNDP’s expert rosters and related processes in emerging and current areas.

3. Lead integrated regional and sub-regional programming in Sustainable Financing

• Lead regional and/or multi-country programming for SDG and climate financing and support regional GPN teams in integrating SDG financing dimensions across the Regional Programme portfolio.
• Contribute to the implementation and programmatic growth of the regional programme and related reporting requirements, ensure that regional SDG finance programming is integrated, future-oriented and risk-informed.
• Provide oversight and quality assurance of SDG Finance projects and programmes including for flagship programmes such as the Climate Finance Network and the Governance of Climate Change Finance programmes.
• Instigate, support and coordinate the development of proposals and programmes related to SDG and climate financing 

4. Lead regional exchanges, partnerships, and resource mobilization for SDG Financing

• Nurture and build close collaboration and coordination with regional partners, such UN ESCAP and UN agencies, funds and programmes on SDG financing, including through regional issue-based coalitions.
• Guide UNDP COs in accessing UN-internal and external funding mechanisms such as the joint UN SDG Fund and provide quality assurance for country-level and regional funding proposals. 
• Mobilize resources from regional and global sources including donors, foundations and private sector private sector partners as well from global facilities and programmes.
• Nurture strong working relationships with development partners supporting UNDP’s programmes, ensure quality reporting, lessons learned and effective project and programme delivery.
• Facilitate cross-country and cross-regional learning and experience-sharing, with a particular focus on integrated and scalable financing approaches. 
• Develop and nurture productive relationships with thinktanks, foundations, academia, civil society and private sector associations and entities for joint and collaborative programming, knowledge exchanges and continuous learning. 

5. Lead on SDG Finance advocacy, communications, and capacity development at regional and CO levels

• Develop and lead effective SDG finance advocacy, promoting an effective enabling environment for SDG finance, tackling policy barriers, and capitalizing on impactful SDG Finance opportunities.
• Provide intellectual leadership for research, learning and knowledge generation related to SDG finance in the region and globally to contribute to UNDP’s global SDG finance agenda.
• Articulate UNDP’s positioning and narrative for sustainable finance and SDG-aligned private sector development through strategic vision and technical expertise as well as through cross-regional and global engagement 
• Shape UNDP’s positioning in innovative financing through effective and integrated programme design at country level, sharing lessons learned, effective coordination with ecosystem stakeholders, and participating in relevant regional and national conferences, seminars and other fora. 
• Support capacity development of UNDP staff and partners in SDG finance, including through UNDP’s SDG Finance Academy and other learning platforms,
• Support the development of SDG trainings and presentations, particularly in the areas of sustainable finance policy frameworks, innovative financing mechanisms and their practical application.

6. Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities.

• Provide effective and inclusive leadership of the sustainable finance/SDG team and ensure its seamless integration with the regional and global GPN teams.
• Ensure team’s effective contribution to corporate and regional planning and reporting requirements.
• Enable and nurture teamwork and integration within the team and across the BRH, promote the professional development of team members.
• Support CO focal points in their efforts to learn and evolve professionally and contribute to the regional community of practice.
• Manage regional experts, consultants and specialists based in the hub or based/outposted in COs in collaboration with country office level managers (E.g., DRRs).

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Manage and supervise the Regional SDG Finance team

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, Business Administration, Finance or another relevant field, is required. OR 
•  A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree 

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Minimum ten (10) years (with master’s degree) or 12 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in Sustainable Finance, of which at least 5 years of experience in international development with a focus on development policies, financial frameworks/mechanisms for development and/or at least 5 years professional experience in the financial services industry working on sustainable finance or related issues, is required.
• Strong professional record in team management and leadership roles in public and/or private finance-related areas, is required
• Proven leadership experience in developing policies and implementing strategic development finance initiatives, innovative financing mechanisms and instruments and high-level technical advisory support to Governments and partners, is required
• Experience and knowledge in impact investment, blended finance, de-risking investments, identifying and managing risks associated with financial mechanisms and guarantees, an asset.
• Experience and understanding of the drivers of sustainability in the financial sector and experience in leading and managing sustainable finance initiatives and programmes with the private sector, is requirement   
• Experience in partnering and engaging for SDG Finance with multilateral and national development finance institutions, as well as relevant foundations, think tanks, and civil society organizations, is required. 
• Experience in partnering and engaging for SDG Finance with institutional investors, securities exchanges and/or financial regulators, is an asset.
• Experience in leading and managing the development of knowledge products is an asset.
• Experience in working with UN agencies, international finance institutions and/or other multilateral partners is an asset. 
• Experience working in developing country settings (asset) and working experience in the Asia Pacific region is an asset.
• Fluency in English required, knowledge of another UN language is an asset,

COMPETENCIES

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

2030 Agenda Partnerships - SDG Finance

• Impact Investment, incl. SDG Impact Finance
• Inclusive Markets/businesses and Value Chain Development
• Innovative Finance

Partnership Management - Relationship Management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding