National Project Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is a global program established to address the financial gap for biodiversity, which is estimated to be between US$ 100 to 400 billion annually. BIOFIN aims to develop and implement methodologies to measure biodiversity expenditure levels, assess financial needs, and design comprehensive finance plans to enhance biodiversity management. The initiative operates in 35 countries and has undergone two phases, with the first phase (2012-2018) focusing on assessments and initial implementations, while the second phase aims to complete the design and implementation of priority finance solutions. BIOFIN emphasizes the importance of tailored finance solutions to achieve national and global biodiversity targets, thereby contributing to sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
The National Project Coordinator will play a pivotal role in managing in-country activities related to biodiversity finance. This position requires the Coordinator to ensure that a proper workplan and budget are established and adhered to within set timelines. The Coordinator will collaborate closely with the Senior Finance Expert and other stakeholders to implement mechanisms such as a National Steering Committee and technical working groups. The role involves organizing workshops, technical studies, and other activities to meet expected quality standards. The Coordinator will also oversee the identification and supervision of national consultants and experts, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among team members. This position is crucial for the successful implementation of biodiversity finance solutions and achieving the Aichi Targets and related SDGs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Overseeing the identification, selection, and supervision of national consultants and experts, collaborating with the UNDP Country Office and the Global BIOFIN Team.
• Elaborating and revising the work plan and budget in consultation with relevant stakeholders, ensuring timely submission for bi-annual budget revisions.
• Managing the work of the Finance Assistant to ensure compliance with administrative requirements and budget execution.
• Organizing project workshops involving various biodiversity finance stakeholders, including government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and academia.
• Establishing and maintaining a national Steering Committee, ensuring regular meetings and effective communication.
• Identifying risks in implementation and communicating them to the global BIOFIN team.
• Leading project monitoring, reporting, and evaluation at the national level, drafting reports for review and submission.
• Developing workshop reports, briefing notes, case studies, and other media products as required.
• Reviewing national level deliverables to ensure quality and consistency with BIOFIN methodology. 1
• Ensuring that all planned activities are carried out in line with timelines and quality standards, and that all workshops are well documented.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in environment/natural resource management, biodiversity, economics/finance, or a closely related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree combined with relevant work experience is acceptable. Candidates should have experience collaborating with international and national experts and institutions, with exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity being highly desirable. A sound understanding of key software packages, particularly MS Office, is required. Candidates should demonstrate strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritize tasks, produce quality outputs, and manage time efficiently. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential for networking among the national team and other institutions, as well as the ability to write clear professional correspondence. Candidates should be self-starters, capable of gathering and processing data and information, and should work towards creative solutions by analyzing problems logically.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in environment/natural resource management, biodiversity, economics/finance, or a closely related field. A Bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience is also acceptable. Candidates should have a strong academic foundation that supports their understanding of biodiversity finance and environmental management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, or up to 2 years of experience for those with a Master’s degree. Experience in implementing environment, biodiversity, or finance projects is preferred. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing projects and collaborating with various stakeholders in the field of biodiversity finance.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of both English and Arabic. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and reporting within the role. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and will involve working under the supervision of the UNDP Country Office. The Project Management Unit (PMU) will consist of various experts, including the Senior Finance Expert, National Project Coordinator, Policy and Institutional Expert, Environmental Finance Expert, Finance Specialist, and Finance Assistant. The role may involve international collaboration and requires candidates to adhere to UNDP's commitment to diversity and inclusion. The organization values equal opportunity and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination in any form. Selected candidates will undergo relevant checks and are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.