Financing for Development Specialist

 The Agenda 2030, based on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is underpinned by a strong commitment to leave no one behind and to reach the furthest behind first. It recognizes the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and inequality and provides a framework that comprehensively addresses all dimensions of well-being. Pakistan was one of the first countries in the world to endorse the SDGs at the Sustainable Development Summit held on 25 September 2015. In 2016, Pakistan Parliament unanimously approved the SDGs as the national development agenda. Since then, Pakistan has demonstrated an impressive policy, institutional, and financial commitment to achieving SDGs, embracing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and leaving no one behind by adopting the UNDP-supported Goals frameworks as part of its national development planning. Since adopting the SDGs as the National Development Agenda, the Sindh Government took the lead in establishing the SDGs Support Unit at the Planning & Development Board in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.  

As a second-generation intervention of the long-standing National Initiative for SDGs (2016-2023), the Sindh SDGs Plus Project, as a joint initiative of UNDP Pakistan and the Government of Sindh, is launched to strengthen a policy integration approach, evidence-based decision-making, resilient institutional capacities, diversified partnerships, mobilization of innovative financing, and integrating climate resilience, innovation, social protection and inclusion to provide a comprehensive ‘SDG Push’ in priority policy areas to help Sindh embark on a stable, sustainable, and accelerated trajectory of achieving the SDGs. The project is anchored by an integrated framework comprising three key areas based on the provincial priorities, including: 

• Objective 1: Internalizing SDGs: Improved governance for SDGs aligned equitable and inclusive development planning, budgeting, expenditure tracking, monitoring, and reporting, with a special focus on underdeveloped/marginalized districts to achieve regional equalization.
• Objective 2: Financing for Development and Climate Resilience: Public and private financing for development, identifying and channelling resources to reduce the development financing gap, focusing on SDG investments and climate financing.
• Objective 3: Inclusive Development, Social Protection, and Innovation: Gender equality, inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation mainstreamed in SDGs to achieve Leave No One Behind.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Project Manager, SDGs Plus Project in Sindh, the Financing for Development Specialist’s prime responsibility is to ensure the following deliverables:

Development of Financing Policy Framework

• Create synergies with the private sector around financing for development portfolio including creating avenues for identifying and/or co-financing SDG-linked projects, involvement in public-private partnerships, sponsorships, support with advocacy and community engagement.
• Provide technical support to design and implement a comprehensive Provincial Financing for Development Framework.
• Facilitate the rollout and adoption of the framework across provincial and regional levels whilst ensuring linkages across provinces and federal initiatives.
• Conduct in-depth policy analysis and research on international best practices in Financing for Development to inform the design of the national framework.
• Curate and implement innovative financing programme portfolios for SDGs Investments, Development and Climate Financing, and Climate Resilience.
• Develop plans (particularly resource planning) around disaster resilience and environmental sustainability under the broader ambit of Climate Financing, leveraging investment solutions, with a focus on flood/disaster resilience.
• Assist in leveraging UNDP’s SDGs Investment and Climate Change Facility aimed at advising the Government on an integrated institutional policy framework for Development Financing.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to both public and private sectors in developing and implementing projects, defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and creating policy frameworks.
• Identify potential funding sources and financing mechanisms to diversify the funding base for SDGs-aligned projects

Managing and Harnessing Strategic Partnerships and Forums:

• Set up and manage Strategic Partnership Forums to foster collaboration with development partners and facilitate mobilization of private-sector financing for SDGs through a mix of instruments, including blended finance models, and the scaling up of private-sector partnerships.
• Leverage these partnerships to support institutional processes and tap into local and regional financing opportunities for developing pipelines for bankable projects, strengthen environmental laws and policies, and build implementation capacities to develop disaster resilience and preparedness.
• Develop a sustainability plan for strategic partnerships, ensuring continuous engagement, commitment, and alignment with SDGs financing goals.

Knowledge Management and Dissemination: 

• Develop policy briefs and conduct policy dialogues on the success stories, best practices, challenges, and opportunities in SDG financing, resource mobilization, and tapping the role of especially the private sector in closing financing gaps.
• Keep abreast of regional and global trends and issues on Financing for Development and Climate Resilience, analyze their implications, and incorporate recommendations collected from the public and private sector stakeholders. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Public Policy, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related disciplines is required. or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above listed fields of study with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) experience around Financing for development including policy research, engagement with the private sector and public-private partnerships.
• Proven practical skills and familiarity with policy development, data management and analysis, economic forecasting, and gauging middle and macro-level impact and needs assessments.
• Experience in and ability to communicate and function effectively with diverse stakeholders in national, international, and multicultural environments.
• Organizational knowledge and experience including strategic planning, decision-making self-management, emotional intelligence, conflict management, delivery, communication, and negotiating skills.
• Demonstrated experience in working and engaging with the private sector including the finance sector with an ability to identify, develop, and manage partnerships that leverage private sector technical expertise and resources.
• Experience of innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance innovation, and public-private partnerships in Sindh.
• Proven track record in offering policy guidance and strategic technical assistance in the realm of Financing for Development, particularly within a multi-lateral context.
• Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Urdu is required.
• Knowledge of other local languages is an asset

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/19694