BIOFIN Environmental Finance Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is a global project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with financial support from the Government of Flanders, Belgium, Germany, EU, Norway, and Switzerland. BIOFIN supports countries with a methodology that provides innovative steps to measure current biodiversity expenditures, assess financial needs, identify the most suitable finance solutions, and supports implementation of these solutions to help achieve national biodiversity targets.

In Zambia, the BIOFIN project is implemented at the national level by UNDP in partnership with the Ministries of Green Economy and Environment as well as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. At present, some of the core activities of BIOFIN Zambia is working with the financial sector towards mainstreaming of green finance into the financial sector. Specific work streams include work on green bonds and green loans market development, green finance policy formulation for the financial sector as well as green finance tagging and reporting.

BIOFIN Zambia seeks to recruit an Environmental Finance Officer who will work under the guidance of the Programme Specialist (Team lead). She/he will be responsible for data mining related to biodiversity finance and related facets such as climate change and land degradation.

Under the direct supervision of the BIOFIN Country Team Lead, the BIOFIN Environmental Finance Officer will undertake the following tasks:

• Lead on data mining and research on various data requirements needed for policy formulation related to biodiversity finance and other related environmental facets such as climate change and land degradation; • Assist the BIOFIN Zambia Programme Specialist in undertaking various consultations within the financial sector and other key stakeholders such as Government, international development institutions, academia, etc. on steps towards full development of Zambia’s green finance agenda; • Assist the BIOFIN Zambia Team Lead in analyzing and proposing policy options to promote biodiversity investment and direct expenditure/budget decisions to support biodiversity and ecosystems management; • Assist the BIOFIN Programme Specialist in the preparation for workshops, meetings, networking and presentations on a range of topics; • Assist the BIOFIN Team Lead in report writing and document preparation, such as policy and information notes to communicate BIOFIN objectives and results to key stakeholders; • Responsible for periodic reporting to stakeholders notably the BIOFIN Global Office, UNDP Country Office, Green Finance Mainstreaming Working Group and the Government of Zambia.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Building trust • Client orientation • Commitment and motivation • Commitment to continuous learning • Communication • Ethics and values Integrity • Planning and organizing • Professionalism • Respect for diversity • Workiong in teams

• At least 1 year experience as an economist, development or sustainable finance professional with evident experience in research preferably in natural resources; • Experience of working in biodiversity finance, climate finance; • Experience of working with Governmental, academia, and international organizations/institutions; knowledge of UN/UNDP; • Experience working with financial sector regulators i.e., banking, capital markets, pension, and insurance will be an added advantage.

Zambia is a landlocked, middle-income country with a population estimated at 18 million. Lusaka became the capital city of Zambia in May 1935. Lusaka’s central position in Zambia and its pleasant climate were two of the main reasons for its selection as the capital. It is a metropolis, which provides a home to about two and half million (2.5M) inhabitants of different nationalities. It has grown to become the seat of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and as such all diplomatic missions, international organizations, industrial and commercial entities are based there. Its political, social, economic and cultural significance has also increased through the years. Public transport is provided by private operators using minibuses and taxis. The bus routes are not mapped, and roads are often congested. Good modern housing for rent is available on the open market. The official language is English, which is widely spoken. The country is generally food secure, with sufficient local fresh fruits and vegetables available in the markets, as well as various dairy, poultry and meat products. There are several international schools using the Cambridge GCSE or IGCSE syllabi, from key stage one through to A levels. Health conditions are generally good, although malaria is endemic. Zambia is generally a safe place to live in, although not free of crime. Some prudence is required. For more info, visit: http://www.zambiatourism.com. https://www.unv.org.