Finance Facility Advisor - Home based Retainer

Senior Finance & Economy

Overview

Provide strategic advisory services for establishing a regional financing facility.

You have:

• A Master's degree in Finance, Business Management, Economics, Environmental Studies, Innovation or related discipline is required.
• A Bachelor's degree in relevant fields with additional two years’ experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree.
• Minimum of seven years of international work experience preferably in sustainable impact financing, climate finance, small grants mechanisms or similar experience is required.
• Experience in sustainable finance mechanisms is required (e.g., green bonds, blue bonds, climate finance, or ESG).
• Experience in developing sustainable financing hubs or providing policy guidance on sustainable financing is required.
• Experience in conducting economic and financial analyses to assess the viability and impact of sustainable finance projects is highly desired.
• Proficiency in using financial modelling tools and techniques to predict outcomes and optimize investment strategies is desired.
• Experience with international or regional organizations is desired.
• Fluency in English (written and oral) is required.
• Fluency in Thai, Filipino, Chinese Mandarin, Khemer, Vietnamese, and Indonesian will be considered an asset.

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-11 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-11 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Background Information - UNOPS Water, Environment and Climate (WEC)

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.

WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

The South China Sea region and the UNEP/GEF SCS-SAP Project

The South China Sea is a semi-enclosed sea, which supports a number of unique habitats and ecosystems that are amongst the most biologically diverse shallow water marine ecosystems globally. The richness and productivity of the South China Sea and associated environments are, however, seriously threatened by high population growth, pollution, overharvest and habitat modification, resulting in high rates of habitat loss and impairment of the regenerative capacities of living resources. The socio-economic impacts of environmental deterioration are significant for the economies of this region.

Recognising that actions were urgently needed to halt degradation of the environment of this marine basin, the countries of the region sought the assistance of UNEP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the project “Reversing Environmental Degradation Trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand” was implemented from 2003-2008. This included a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) of the issues and problems and their societal root causes as the basis for development of a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) which was inter-governmentally adopted in 2008. The SAP established a series of objectives and priority actions for coastal habitats, land-based pollution management, and the overexploitation of fish stocks in the South China Sea.

In May 2018, a US$ 15 million grant was released by the GEF to support the execution of the South China Sea SAP Project (SCS-SAP) until December 2026 (originally 2018-2023). The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the executing agency for the implementation of the SCS-SAP project. The SCS-SAP Project includes Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam, with direct outcomes on habitat conservation on mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass, and coastal wetlands; knowledge management; sustainable financing; and regional governance and collaboration.

A regional financing facility for the management and protection of the East Asian Seas is essential to address growing environmental degradation, overexploitation of marine resources, and increasing threats from pollution and climate change that affect the region's biodiversity, livelihoods, and economic stability. Efforts in the management of the marine and coastal environment in the region are strong in different levels, from regional, national, and local, however, these efforts are limited to project cycles and sustainability can be hindered by lack of sustainable financing. A dedicated regional financing facility could address these gaps by pooling resources from the private sector, international donors, and development banks, and effectively reallocating these to areas in need, ensuring long-term, coordinated, and effective environmental protection measures for the East Asian Seas.

Background: Financing Facility Advisor

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager in coordination with the Environmental Marine Specialist in Bangkok, Thailand, the Financing Facility Advisor will provide strategic advisory services and technical expertise towards the proposal to establish a regional financing facility that will support the identification and development of blue finance opportunities for investments and grants towards the sustainable management of the marine and coastal ecosystems of the East Asian Seas.

*** This is a Homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.

*****This position is for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days **with possibility of extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds.****

** As this is a home based position, **with the duty station being your city of permanent residence.****

*** Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Functional Responsibilities

The Financing Facility Advisor will undertake the following activities/ responsibilities:

• Review of Existing Policies, Infrastructures, and Initiatives

  • Review and stock take of existing financing and grant facilities and blue finance opportunities in the region and around the world to identify best practices and areas for collaboration.

• Stakeholder and Private Sector Engagement

  • Consultation with relevant stakeholders, donors, development banks, regional organization, amongst others, to identify possible linkages with existing or potential new financing facility
  • Obtain commitments with identified stakeholders to collaborate in the proposed financing facility mechanism
• Produce an options paper that incorporates the financing mechanism review, good practices, and recommendations to strengthen blue economy and innovative financing.

• Formulation of a proposed strategic framework and institutional infrastructure to either develop a new facility or integrate/cooperate with existing financing facilities. The proposal shall include:

  • Identification of the host of the facility
  • Definition of financing plan and strategy, including resources generation
  • Definition of protocols for accessing resources, grants, including regional agreements

  Impact of Results

  The Financing Facility Advisor for the South China Sea Project (SCS-SAP) will result in a sustainable financing mechanism in the region focused on financing marine and coastal ecosystem and biodiversity initiatives.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Advanced University Degree (Master's degree) in Arts/Sciences in Finance, Business Management, Economics, Environmental Studies, Innovation or related discipline is required. - A Bachelors’ degree in relevant fields with additional two years’ experience may be accepted in Lieu of Master's degree.

Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of international work experience preferably in sustainable impact financing, climate finance, small grants mechanisms or similar experience is required.

  • Experience in sustainable finance mechanisms is required (e.g. green bonds, blue bonds, climate finance, or (ESG)).
  • Experience in developing sustainable financing hubs or providing policy guidance on sustainable financing is required.
  • Experience in working in grants management, financing, blue economy, or resources generation is required.
  • Experience in conducting economic and financial analyses to assess the viability and impact of sustainable finance projects is highly desired.
  • Proficiency in using financial modelling tools and techniques to predict outcomes and optimize investment strategies is desired.
  • Experience with international or regional organizations is desired.

  Language requirements

  • Fluency in (written and oral) English is required.
  • Fluency in (written and oral) in Thai, Filipino, Chinese Mandarin, Khemer, Vietnamese, and Indonesian will be considered an asset.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) -Retainer
2. Contract level: IICA 3/ ICS 11
3. Contract duration: 12 months Maximum 220 working days with possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

** The individual contractor agreement on retainer basis specifies a “unit price” per day worked. Please note that the retainer contract will not provide for a minimum of working days, and payment will be made only after completion of work.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org