Public Finance and Cost/Investment Consultant

Result of Service The Consultant will produce three quality product deliverables, listed below, in collaboration and consultation with other partner UN agencies (UNDP, FAO & UNFPA) and Government counterparts, which will ultimately contribute to the Joint Programme's output of the "Sustainable Finance Roadmap" for Suriname.

Product No. 1: A Situation report of the budget financing practices and initiatives of the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment (ROM) in Suriname.

Product No. 2: An Excel project management tool that indicates high level budget responsibilities with timelines for tracking climate/NDC implementation and to manage projects based on budget priorities for sustainable development.

Product No. 3: A Report with recommendations on appropriate ROM budget scenarios for implementing Roadmap priorities and pathways.

Work Location Home based

Expected duration 4 months

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Objective of the Consultancy:

The consultancy is developed to support the Suriname SDG Joint Programme (JP). The JP's objectives are to identify and develop pathways for Suriname to access and simultaneously to build capacity in sustainable financing and investment. The country has prioritized climate investment and financing in line with its NDC priorities for support under the JP. Suriname, like other Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS) however, face budget financing constraints related to high debt service that was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country also lacks capacity and experience in leveraging budget resources to attract/unlock domestic and international sources of finance. A roadmap that identifies priority projects and develops credible pathways for financing is a key deliverable for the JP.

The JP’s Project Document (ProDoc) and Results Matrix specify 3 Outputs:

• Output 1: National Roadmap Framework, based on the findings of gap analyses conducted by PUNOs during the Phase 1 Diagnostic activity, and which determined how Suriname’s current development system is delivering on SDG indicators and targets. The Output also includes PUNO recommendations for closing policy gaps and elaborating national financing frameworks/strategies, national survey and research reports; and a gender gap analysis, all of which will be made available to the Consultant.

• Output 2: A network/platform for supporting national dialogues, engagement and facilitation of stakeholder participation, including delivery of capacity building workshops to help elaborate the roadmap and a pipeline of impact-driven gender responsive investments. PUNOs launched a high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue in Suriname (October 21st 2022), opened by the President and with the Minister of Spatial Planning & Environment (ROM) officiating. Both set clear expectations for continued collaboration between all stakeholders (public, private, non-profit, development partners) for the elaboration of a national climate agreement to be launched at a follow-up High Level event in Suriname (tentatively February 24th 2023). PUNOs will be supporting the ROM in the convening of the stakeholder dialogues.

• Output 3: A green agreement and public policies: Suriname has prioritized its desire for a National Climate Agreement and PUNOs will support its development and provide recommendations for Public Policy Reforms where needed, minimum standards and regulations for the target sectors (to mitigate financial risks and create investment opportunities) and through a gender-sensitive lens.

The Consultant will contribute to Output 3, working in collaboration with other PUNO staff and consultants. A key UNEP objective is to maintain good cooperation and communication with ROM, as the key Government partner, as well as other Ministries (the current Minister of ROM is also the acting Minister of Finance), PUNOs and local stakeholders to achieve JP objectives. It is therefore expected that the Consultant will confer with JP stakeholders including staff of the UN RCO, who are leading national engagement and outreach.

2. Consultant's Duties and Responsibilities: Based on the foregoing information, the Consultant will conduct the following activities to deliver on the Outputs, as indicated below:

2.1 Map and review the existing budget and initiatives of the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment (ROM): The Consultant will review and assess ROM’s budget interventions, capacity needs and existing strategies to support Roadmap implementation over short-, medium- &/or long terms. This includes ROM’s budget tools, capacity for developing project concepts and pipelines &/or other relevant activities to support NDC investment and implementation. In that regard and to contribute to the development of a JP Roadmap for sustainable financing, the Consultant will also consider how the ROM budget is linked to and/or delivering results to relevant national policies, strategies and the SDGs; as well as PUNO- (from activities conducted under the JP Outputs 1 & 2 described above) reports and recommendations. This activity contemplates a mission to Suriname to consult with key ROM senior administrative and technical staff, the Ministry of Finance and other relevant stakeholders, and with PUNOs.

2.2 Develop Budget cost/investment recommendations for ROM’s implementation of the Sustainable Financing Roadmap: The Roadmap is intended to serve as a national medium/long term framework for financing sustainable development/climate mitigation & adaptation interventions. The latter is likely to be prioritized in the national climate agreement and in the IADB’s NDC Investment Strategy. PUNOs are also identifying projects that could pilot &/or advance investment in the JP’s priority sectors – the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), forestry value chains and the banking sector. The Consultant will therefore develop at least 2 budget scenarios for financing Roadmap pathways including a business as usual (BAU) base scenario. The Consultant will develop suitable recommendations for budget/cost interventions for the ROM that provide opportunities for leveraging and/or enhancing its operating mandate. The latter broadly includes ROM’s capacity to monitor, manage, control and report on the state of the Suriname environment; and to coordinate/guide the integrated financing of low-impact, low-emissions spatial planning and development. This activity is intended to build upon and complete, rather than duplicate existing work.

Qualifications/special skills ACADEMIC Master’s degree in economics, finance &/or business administration, with experience in public expenditure reviews, development &/or management or qualifications in a related field, is required.

A Bachelor’s degree in combination with at least three (03) additional years of the required work experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree.

A minimum of seven (07) years of progressively responsible work experience in public sector finance and related policy is required.

Experience working with public policies and with the financial sector is preferred. Experience of the current challenges, realities, and needs of Latin America & the Caribbean countries and working in international contexts is desirable. Additional experience with innovative financing mechanism/strategies, mobilizing resources and financing for sustainable development &/or the SDGs will be an asset. Research/writing skills are desirable. Previous work experience in the UN system is an advantage.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Skills: The candidate should have proven ability in public sector financing and ability to handle multiple activities simultaneously and in an organized and timely manner. He/she should be able to work independently and have strong problem-solving abilities. Furthermore, the candidate should have a track record of delivering consistently high-quality outputs as well as strong analytical and conceptual skills. Expertise in sustainable development and SDG indicators and targets is essential. An understanding of the current challenges and opportunities facing sustainable development in Latin America & the Caribbean is highly desirable.

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

Languages Fluency in English is required for this position.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.