BIOFIN Project Officer

Job Description

Office/Unit/Project Description

The Biodiversity Finance Initiatives (BIOFIN) is a global initiative launched in October 2012 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to respond to the need for detailed national-level analysis regarding biodiversity finance and boost the mobilization of financial resources for parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets. It is a global partnership seeking to address the biodiversity finance challenge in a comprehensive manner by building a sound business case for increased investments in the management of ecosystems and biodiversity, with a focus on the needs and transformational opportunities at the national level. In Malawi, the implementation of the BIOFIN started in 2019 under the Environmental Affairs Department within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change.

One of the key outputs of the first phase of the BIOFIN initiative (2019-2022) in Malawi was the development of a National Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP) aimed at identifying and prioritizing a mix of suitable biodiversity finance solutions to reduce the envisaged biodiversity finance gap. The national BFP prioritized eleven finance solutions and currently five are under implementation.
In UNDP the activities of the BIOFIN project fall directly under the Resilience and Sustainable Growth (RSG) Portfolio. To align the Malawi Country Office structure to the UNDP Strategic Plan, as well as respond to the integrated priorities outlined in Malawi’s Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III), and recently the Malawi Vision 2063, a portfolio approach has been in use over the last ten years to drive programmatic coherence, efficiency, and value for money. The Resilience and Sustainable Growth (RSG) portfolio is one of three programmatic portfolios in the Malawi country office and is aligned to the Responsive Institutions and Citizen Engagement (RICE) portfolio as well as the Development Impact and Advisory Team (DIAT), all of which are supported by an Operations Team.
On the Government side BIOFIN activities fall under Environmental Affairs Department and Ministry of Finance; and the officer will be required work directly with these two government offices and any other MDAs as defined by the finance solutions.
Under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Malawi, the RSG portfolio aligns directly to Pillar 3: Inclusive and Resilience Growth, while contributing to Pillar 2: Peace, Inclusion and Effective Institutions.
The BIOFIN, therefore would like to engage the services of the BIOFIN Project Officer (BPO), under the overall guidance and supervision of the National Coordinator, shall be responsible for facilitating and supporting the day-to-day delivery of the BIOFIN project goals in line with the project document, workplans and objectives.

Scope of Work

The BPO shall support the implementation of the National BIOFIN Country Implementation Strategy as per BIOFIN methodology. S/He will provide technical and administrative support to the implementation of on-going finance solutions and development of additional finance solution proposals, including activities, budget, risks, targets and indicators in consultation with stakeholders.

S/He, in consultation with the BIOFIN National Coordinator, UNDP Program Analyst responsible for environment and the Environmental Affairs BIOFIN Desk Officer, shall perform the following:

Ensure Effective Project and Financial Management

Support planning, implementation, and management of the BIOFIN project activities by:

Ensuring that technical activities related to the project and administrative requirements are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner including within the planned budget and within UNDP and donor rules and regulations;
Supporting the National Coordinator on organizational matters and coordination of the project;
Contributing to the preparation of the project draft work plans and budgets, activity requests in conjunction with the other project team members;
Ensuring timely identification of risks in the project implementation at the national level and communication to the National Coordinator;
Facilitating the organization of Steering Committee and Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings. Ensure participation of national BIOFIN team members in regional technical calls and workshops;
Facilitating the development of proposals for finance solutions for presentation to the Steering Committee and the global BIOFIN team;
Participating in all regional and global BIOFIN webinars and workshops where possible;
Liaising with project support team at local and district level and provide managerial and technical support;
Working with the National Technical Coordinator in preparation and engagement of high-level dignitaries;
Working with the National Technical Coordinator in facilitating timely disbursement of funds to implementing partners;
Supporting communication between government counterparts and UNDP.

Provide inputs for the Policy Development

In collaboration with the BIOFIN National Coordinator, and the BIOFIN Desk Officer provide inputs into policy development processes as per government requests, from any merging opportunities (regional, national/sectoral development plans/NBSAPs/legislation on biodiversity finance).
Facilitate Project Outreach and Communication and Knowledge Management

Providing Support in:

Stakeholder consultation/engagement processes for the development of all deliverables, involving actors from the public and private sector, civil society and the Academia;
The engagement of national stakeholders and strongly position BIOFIN objectives and processes towards relevant government departments and partner institutions to catalyze transformational outcomes. Ensure the inclusion of organizations representing indigenous/woman/youth /vulnerable groups where possible;
Working with national counterparts, NGOs and other groups to ensure effective coordination and communication of BIOFIN project objectives, activities, and finance solutions and on data and information provision, expert review and verification;
Preparing detailed reports and analyses of national BIOFIN project results and impacts including in preparation for COPs and at project’s end;
Co-ordinating and organizing field visits, missions, and conferences; and participating in gathering information for dissemination;
Preparing all related background materials for discussions, correspondence, and meetings with project stakeholders;
Leading the process of capturing and documenting lessons from project implementation and make recommendations to the Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups for more effective implementation of activities;
The assessment and compilation of success stories and case studies for dissemination to stakeholders;
Capacity building and training activities under the project and substantively on the PES.

Facilitate Project Monitoring and Evaluation

Provide support in:

Signaling any delays in the attainment of deliverables to the National Coordinator;
Contributing to the development of Project Monitoring and Risks Frameworks and corresponding indicators;
Supporting project monitoring, reporting and evaluation as well as drafting monthly and quarterly reports for review by the coordinator;
Developing workshop reports for all workshops;
Developing briefing notes, case studies, press releases, web articles and other media products as required;
Contributing to timely preparation of analytical reports and submission to the coordinator.

Building Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

Provide support in:

Establishing partnerships and open channels of communication;
Developing and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and participation of key stakeholders in assigned portfolio;
Developing and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies;
Providing technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and partners;
Supporting resource mobilization efforts and project development

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Climate Change and Natural Resources Management is required.

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience

Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional work experience in dealing with climate change and natural resources management issues in Malawi is required.

Required Skills

Demonstrable computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access is required;
Demonstrated ability to work in diverse team of different partners and stakeholders is required.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

Knowledge/experience in environmental and biodiversity finance mechanisms;
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in sustainable utilization of biological resources;
Demonstrated experience in maintenance of Ecosystem services;
Demonstrated experience in Access and Benefit Sharing;
Demonstrated experience in Natural resources programming.
Languages: Fluency in English and Chichewa is required