Innovative Financing 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.

Joint SDG Fund on Innovative Finance

The National Mid-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2024 reflects the Government of Indonesia’s (GOI) strong commitment to achieving the SDGs while making a significant shift towards low-carbon economic transformation and intensifying efforts to address underfunded sectors such as sanitation and developing the blue economy. Despite the many advances pre-COVID-19, a GOI study indicated that an estimated USD 4.7 trillion of funding is required to achieve the SDGs, of which an estimated 58% is to be mobilised from non-government sources. The COVID-19 pandemic has left the country with a fiscal deficit of USD 68bn (Rp 956.3 Trillion) or 6.09% of GDP) as of December 2020 which has exacerbated the SDG financing gap. Seizing the financing opportunity through innovative non-traditional sources is an imperative addition to optimizing the state income and to improving the quality of spending.

The GOI has an appetite to test and develop various innovative green financing instruments which could channel funding towards addressing these gaps (e.g., it has developed the world’s first sovereign green Sukuk (Islamic bonds) and launched both the Tri Hita Karana (THK) Roadmap for Blended Finance and the Tropical Landscape Financing Facility (TLFF)). In fact, the Minister of Finance points out that “The Green Sukuk initiative has paved the way for capital flow for our sustainable future.” The GOI has also expressed interest in blue and SDG bonds/Sukuk and sub-national bond issuance and has emphasised inclusion and low-carbon development as a national priority for COVID-19 recovery. However, there remain several challenges that need to be addressed in deploying innovative financing instruments at scale to reach the next level.

Given this new opportunity, UNICEF together with UNDP, UNIDO, and UNEP is working together with the Government of Indonesia in implementing the Joint SDG Fund on Driving Public and Private Capital Towards Green and Social Investments in Indonesia / Accelerating SDGs Investments in Indonesia from 2021-2024. The programme will focus on driving public and private capital towards green and social investments in Indonesia and taking proven and new financing instruments to scale through the provision of pre-and post-transaction technical assistance for three financing instruments: thematic bonds, blended finance instruments, and SDG-linked loans. The joint programme will also seek to address some of the key market failures by creating enabling environments for public and private investments.

For UNICEF, achieving all child-related Sustainable Development Goals hinges on unlocking dramatically increased investments in children’s development and wellbeing over the next decade. UNICEF is committed to working with the Government of Indonesia, in close coordination with the other UN agencies participating in the Joint SDG Fund on Driving Public and Private Capital Towards Green and Social Investments in Indonesia / Accelerating SDGs Investments in Indonesia (ASSIST Joint Programme), to ensure that innovative financing is dedicated to support all children achieve their full potential, not leaving a single child behind.

Under the general supervision of the Social Policy Specialist (Financing and Planning) and the guidance of the Chief Social Policy of UNICEF Indonesia Country Office, the UNV Innovative Financing Officer will provide direct support in planning and implementation of the Joint SDG Fund on Driving Public and Private Capital Towards Green and Social Investments in Indonesia / Accelerating SDGs Investments in Indonesia (ASSIST Joint Programme). The UNV Innovative Financing Officer will be responsible for contributing to national programme implementation efforts through working together with UNICEF teams, national governments, and implementing partners.

Innovative Financing • Monitor and produce timely and high-quality analytical inputs and policy research products on innovative financing in support of the implementation of the Joint SDG Fund. • Support UNICEF on innovative financing, specifically including inputs to the Joint SDG Fund programme implementation. • Assist joined-up technical support to country needs in collaboration with other UN partners, Government of Indonesia, and implementing partners; plans and facilitates workshops and other interactive sessions on innovative financing issues; assists in developing action plans that the government will use to manage change. • Support the development of strategic relationships with external stakeholders and implementing partners in the implementation of the Joint SDG Fund. • Support the team to initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

Programme Implementation • Support and contribute to research and analysis on innovative financing issues and help the team to presents information gathered from diverse sources. • Support the team to develops draft policy recommendations on finance for development and strategic finance issues, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies, • Support the team with substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations on sustainable development issues. • Support the team in liaising with relevant stakeholders and potential partners, including national and subnational government, business sectors, and CSOs • Participate in and contribute to field missions, including the provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Assist the team in designing, managing and monitoring the implementation of capacity building on Innovative financing.

Other programme areas • As necessary, provide support in the implementation of social policy programme in support of country programme delivery, including in urbanization for children, subnational planning and budgeting, and adolescent participation at the national and subnational levels.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take an active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, a high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality, and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in the area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in the work environment. • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options, and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, public policy, public administration, development studies, or related field; • At least 3 years of work experience at the national or international level, in implementing development financing programmes; • Experience of working in the government, UN or other international development organizations is an asset. Excellent oral and written skills in English; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Excellent oral and written skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in programme management and reporting; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; capacity to function effectively in a multicultural team of international and national staff; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in a variety of MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and competency in quantitative data processing; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimal oversight; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity along with or interest in children and youth development, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. *Fluency in spoken and written Bahasa Indonesia and English is required.

The position will be based in Jakarta, Indonesia, where basic living needs, including accommodation, banking facilities, medical facilities, and telecommunications/internet services are readily available. All staple foods can be found in the markets, e.g.: rice, meat, vegetables, fruit, cooking oil, salt, etc. Many imported goods are available in Jakarta and other places throughout Indonesia. Jakarta has many good restaurants with good health standards and most guesthouses provide food. In Indonesia, the most used means of transportation are a taxi or local bus. A mobile phone is the most dependable tool to be in touch with colleagues and friends. Internet service is readily available and affordable at most apartment complexes. ATMs are everywhere in Jakarta.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging her/his housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.