Project Management Specialist (Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants)

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

The BIOFIN Project Management Specialist (NPSA 11) will be based in the UNDP South Africa Country Office within the Nature, Climate, and Environment (NCE) Unit. Reporting to the Head of Unit, the position works closely with the National BIOFIN focal point at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) and liaises with the UNDP BIOFIN Global Team. The role is central to ensuring coordination, technical leadership, and delivery of BIOFIN Project outputs at the national level.

BIOFIN is a global UNDP-led initiative supporting countries to identify and implement finance solutions that seek to close the biodiversity finance gaps. In South Africa, BIOFIN has developed a biodiversity finance plan and is implementing prioritized finance solutions to mobilize resources for conservation. The NCE Unit leads UNDP’s work on biodiversity, climate, sustainable finance, and environmental management, aligning with national priorities, the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Project Management Specialist in Nature and Climate Finance will provide technical guidance, project management, resource mobilization support, and partnership-building to ensure effective implementation of BIOFIN. Key contributions include developing new finance solutions, updating methodologies such as the Biodiversity Expenditure Review, supporting integration of biodiversity finance into national strategies, and mobilizing private sector engagement. The role also strengthens knowledge management and communication, ensuring that BIOFIN results are visible, mainstreamed, and inform policy decisions with a whole of government and whole of society approach.

BIOFIN operates in a complex multistakeholder environment, requiring alignment across government, private sector, civil society, and academia. Engaging the private sector in biodiversity finance is relatively new in South Africa and demands innovative approaches and capacity building. Integrating biodiversity finance into national planning frameworks involves navigating multiple institutional mandates and policy processes. Delivering high-quality outputs within short timelines and raising awareness of biodiversity finance among diverse audiences are additional challenges requiring strong leadership and communication skills. The individual will also be encouraged to work with the Africa Sustainable Finance Hub for sharing lessons learned and leapfrogging South Africa in scalable innovative finance solutions.

• Functions/Activities: Lead the design and implementation of two new biodiversity finance solutions, with emphasis on private sector engagement. Activities include stakeholder consultations, technical workshops, and pilot testing;
• Expected Results: Validated finance solutions integrated into South Africa’s Biodiversity Finance Plan;
• Frameworks: BIOFIN methodology, National Biodiversity Finance Plan, South Africa’s financial sector regulations.

• Functions/Activities: Revise the BER to include private sector contributions and climate finance synergies, ensuring comprehensive national biodiversity finance data;
• Expected Results: Updated BER reflecting diversified finance sources;
• Frameworks: BIOFIN BER guidelines, national treasury reporting standards, and climate finance strategies.

• Functions/Activities: Collaborate with DFFE to cost and integrate biodiversity finance into NBSAP activities;
• Expected Results: Updated NBSAP with costed activities aligned to finance solutions;
• Frameworks: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), South Africa’s NBSAP, Early Action Support Project.

• Functions/Activities: Deliver training modules on the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), focusing on biodiversity risk integration;
• Expected Results: Enhanced private sector capacity to integrate biodiversity into financial decision-making;
• Frameworks: TNFD principles, UNDP BIOFIN training modules.

• Functions/Activities: Oversee consultants and subcontractors, ensure quality assurance, and prepare timely reports for UNDP and BIOFIN Global;
• Expected Results: High-quality deliverables, compliance with UNDP systems, timely reporting;
• Frameworks: UNDP corporate systems (Quantum, SharePoint), BIOFIN Phase 2 Work Plan.

• Functions/Activities: Build partnerships with government, donors, civil society, and the private sector to mobilize biodiversity finance;
• Expected Results: Strengthened partnerships and increased financial commitments for biodiversity;
• Frameworks: UNDP-GEF projects, national finance policies, donor strategies.

• Functions/Activities: Implement BIOFIN communications strategy and produce policy briefs, success stories, and opinion pieces;
• Expected Results: Increased visibility and awareness of biodiversity finance;
• Frameworks: UNDP communications guidelines, BIOFIN communications strategy.

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

The BIOFIN Project Management Specialist (NPSA 11) will report directly to the Head of the NCE Unit within the UNDP South Africa Country Office. The position will also work in close collaboration with the National BIOFIN focal point at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and maintain technical linkages with the UNDP BIOFIN Global Team, through strategic direction from the Regional Techncial Advisor.

• 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.

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

• Strategic thinking
  • Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systematic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
• Systems Thinking
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

• Ecosystems and biodiversity: Biodiversity Finance
  • Ecosystems and biodiversity: Biodiversity Finance.
• Green Economy: Green economy and green growth
  • Green economy: Green economy and green growth.

• Partnerships Management
  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Government, Civil society and Private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• Communication
  • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience;
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

• Strategic engagement
  • Ability to capture and sustain attention , interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high level vision and objectives.

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Resource Economics, Development Finance, Environmental Economics, Development Studies, or related field is required, or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in sustainable finance, development, capital markets, banking (corporate finance), public Finance, Conservation Finance or Environmental Economics/ Finance is required.

• Experience with Climate and or Biodiversity finance; 
• Exposure to operations of the private and specifically the financial sector i.e. banking, capital markets, asset managers;
• Excellent Project Management, planning and execution skills;
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills, especially on professional social media platforms;
• Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations;
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team;
• Strong motivation and ability to work and deliver under short deadlines;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Able to work independently with little or no supervision;
• Experience in dealing with international and national experts and institutions;
• Evident Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity.

• Previous experience or involvement in the BIOFIN Initiative would be an added advantage;
• Flexibility: readily adapts to change, new products, systems, methods, and products;
• Demonstrated ability to network and strike collaborative linkages.

• Fluency in English, with excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills;
• Knowledge and understanding (verbal and written) in at least two South African local languages would be an asset.

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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