Policy Analyst, SDG Finance

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s Global Policy Network (GPN) provides a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) is responsible for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to Country Offices, advocate for UNDP corporate messages, represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government, and civil society dialogues, and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. 

To streamline its financial and investment engagement, UNDP launched the Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH), a finance and innovation platform, that draws on a critical mass of UNDP expertise, initiatives, and partnerships to support the mobilization and leveraging of resources for the SDGs and lead the implementation of the new UNDP private sector strategy and other initiatives. SFH is an integral part of both the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), as well as part of the GPN. The Hub serves as a connector, broker, and global coordinator among internal and external actors; curates and manages UNDP’s catalogue of service offers on SDG financing to governments, investors and companies, via the COs, to significantly enhance the scale and impact of UNDP’s work.

Integrated national financing frameworks (INFFs) were first introduced by UN Member States in the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda as a country-led approach to strengthen public and private financing for sustainable development. Today, more than 80 countries are using the INFF approach to integrate financing and national planning, bringing the right people together to make decisions and coordinate action to strengthen SDG financing. 2024 is a crucial year as countries continue to develop financing strategies to mobilise and align financing with the SDGs. In addition to advancing the work on INFF knowledge products, including cutting edge tools, technical guidance (on policy, institutional reform, finance instruments, etc.), and e-learning courses, activities will focus on facilitating INFF methodology trainings and peer to peer learning relevant to country contexts.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the SDG Finance Specialist, Sustainable Finance Hub, and working closely with the other team members, the Policy Analyst will be responsible for the performance of the following functions and duties:

i.              Contributing to the conceptual development and drafting of INFF technical guidance documents

a)            Contributing to the development of two deep-dive methodological guidance notes on INFFs and structural transformation and sustainable finance.

b)            Leading a process for feeding the lessons and experiences from INFF development at the country level into the two guidance documents, including development of case studies (practical illustrations in the context of the four topics outlined above.)

c)            Lead in organizing a structured process of soliciting inputs and incorporating feedback from the IATF and other experts.

ii.             Facilitate the conceptual development and drafting of 4 country case studies

a)            Facilitate in developing 4 INFF country case studies to be integrated into existing INFF guidance documents

b)            Organize a structured process of soliciting inputs and incorporating feedback from the IATF and other experts.

c)            Ensure global guidance documents and knowledge products are updated with the country case studies. 

iii.            Facilitate the design and delivery of the INFF Training Hub on inff.org

a)            Collaborating with INFF Facility partners (UNDESA, OECD, UNICEF) to develop and deliver the INFF knowledge platform training hub.

b)            Working closely with contractors, such as learning designers, overseeing the creation of the hub.

c)            Developing and delivering a comprehensive rollout plan to ensure awareness and accessibility of the knowledge products on the training hub (e.g., the e-learning courses, technical guidance, etc).

iv.            Contributing to the delivery of INFF certification trainings, capacity development and country exchanges:

a)            Supporting a systematic approach to INFF certification and training across the Facility’s advisory services and activities.

b)            Managing the use of existing INFF E-Learning courses as the foundation for certification and trainings, drawing on global INFF guidance materials and country examples.

c)            Supporting the development and delivery of online training webinars on the INFF methodology and country experiences as required.

d)            Maintaining regular updates of the Country Activity Database (CAD) to document the certification status of country officials who complete online training.

v.             Contribute to the engagement with Global SDG Finance Agendas

a)            Supporting INFF engagement with global FFD processes such as the FFD Forum, HLP, and any other relevant events. 

b)            Assist in organizing and participating workshops and side-events aligned with the Global SDG Finance Agenda. 

vi.           Facilitate knowledge management, dissemination, and use of information:

a)            Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues.

b)            Facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project

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

For more information on UNDP SDG Finance Sector Hub and INFF Activities, please visit  https://sdgfinance.undp.org/  and inff.org 

Institutional Arrangement

The Policy Analyst, SDG Finance will work under the supervision of the SDG Finance Advisor in the Sustainable Finance Hub. 

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:                LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

Think Innovatively:          LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. 

Learn Continuously:        LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility:           LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. 

Act with Determination:                LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.

Engage and Partner:        LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:   LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

• Business Direction & Strategy     
  • System Thinking                
    • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements co-exist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
  • Business Acumen             
    • Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead a good outcome; Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.

• Business Development   
  • Knowledge Generation   
    • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Business Management   
  • Communication 
    • Ability to 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.
• Partnership management             
  • Relationship management            
    • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.
• Business Management
  • Monitoring         
    • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Min. Education requirements    

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, public policy, social sciences or related field is required OR
• A Bachelor’s degree in the above areas, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Min. years of relevant work experience                

• Up to 2 years (with Master’s degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in sustainable development financing, policy analysis, public finance, private sector development and/or civil society work is required.

Required skills

• Demonstrated experience conducting research and writing analytical reports/policy notes on relevant topics are required.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting government agencies or development partners in development finance and public institutional governance is required.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting the development and delivery of webinars, side-events, and workshops in development finance is required.

Desired skills 

• Experience in data management and analysis, including prior experience working on e-learning courses is desirable.
• Experience working on Integrated National Financing Frameworks is desirable.
• Previous work experience with UNDP / UN in similar functions is an advantage.

Required Language(s)    

• Fluency in English is required. (Excellent verbal, written and editing skills are required.)
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.