UNDP: Biodiversity Investment Facility (BIF) Analyst – Pretoria

Organization Mission

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

Context

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (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 África, BIOFIN has developed a biodiversity finance plan and is implementing prioritized finance solutions to mobilize resources for conservation. The Nature Climate and Energy (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. 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 África and demands innovative approaches and capacity building, including innovative and blended finance mechanisms to de-risk investments in nature-positive outcomes.
As part of the finance solutions for South Africa, BIOFIN is providing technical support to the Development Bank of Southern África (DBSA) in establishing a Biodiversity Investment Facility (BIF) as a blended finance platform to mobilize and deploy capital at scale for biodiversity, climate-resilient, and nature-based investments across South África and the broader African region.
The Facility is designed to:
– Safeguard ecological infrastructure underpinning DBSA-financed assets
– Address nature-related and climate-related risks (e.g. water insecurity, land degradation)
– Unlock private sector investment into biodiversity and nature-based solutions
– Advance DBSA’s commitments under its Net Zero Statement and Just Transition Framework

The objective of this assignment is to provide technical, financial, and programme management support to the DBSA Climate and Nature Finance team in the design, operationalization, fundraising, and implementation of the Biodiversity Investment Facility. For this purpose, BIOFIN is looking for an expert to be seconded to DBSA and contribute to the development, scaling and implementation of the new facility.

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the United Nations Development Programme Biodiversity Finance Initiative (UNDP BIOFIN), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) or their designated mandated representatives, the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) will support:

1. Facility Design and Structuring
• Support refinement of the Biodiversity Investment Facility (BIF) structure and financial instruments;
• Develop investment criteria and governance frameworks;

2. Pipeline Development and Project Preparation
• Identify and develop a pipeline of biodiversity projects;
• Support feasibility and financial modelling;

3. Fundraising and Resource Mobilisation
• Prepare funding proposals and investor materials;
• Engage donors and development partners (Global Environment Facility (GEF), bilateral donor funding, etc.);

4. Programme Management and Implementation
• Track implementation progress and key performance indicators (KPIs);
• Coordinate stakeholders;
• Maintain regular communication with the UNDP BIOFIN team;

5. Knowledge Management
• Develop thought leadership and reports;
Results/expected outputs:
• As an active UNDP team member, provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support to UNDP, DBSA, and their beneficiaries in accomplishing assigned functions, including:
• BIF implementation plan;
• Project pipeline sourcing;
• Funding proposals;
• Quarterly reports;
• Bi-annual progress reports to BIOFIN

Required Skills and Experience

Experience in climate, nature, and biodiversity finance.
• Experience in resource mobilization.
• Experience with programme, knowledge, and implementation management.
• Experience with project pipeline development and project preparation.
• Experience working with international and national institutions or development finance institutions.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with database management and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work with minimum supervision and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Good financial and marketing skills.
• Candidates with five years of experience in the above areas will also be considered.

Core Competencies

Professionalism; Integrity, Teamwork and respect for diversity; Commitment to continuous learning; Planning and organizing; Communication; Flexibility; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement.

Living Conditions

Bigger cities in South África can be highly cosmopolitan. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, you will find an abundance of world class gyms, restaurants, bars, recreational classes, galleries, parks etc. The bigger shopping malls host a large selection of international brands. There is a plethora of international cuisine to be sampled, and quirky independent cinemas to be discovered. OR Tambo International Airport is a world class airport, offering highly sophisticated facilities. It is located just outside of Johannesburg, in Kempton Park. It has many international airlines that fly into this airport. Crime rates in South África are ranked on the high end, petty theft and opportunistic crimes are common, and armed robberies, smash & grabs and hijackings are also fairly frequent in certain areas. One needs to remain vigilant especially at night and at road intersections. There are usually sign posts that indicate such hot spots. Periodic security information updates are sent via email providing information at national level, with regards to circumstances such as incidents of civil unrest, transport security, computer and networking safety and trends in criminality. UNDSS sends weekly security updates via email. Updates from wardens are on an ad hoc basis, following security related events in your residential area. Updates from UNDSS are provided weekly.

UN Volunteers receives the below entitlements:
• A Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): R33 348,22 per month,
• A once off entry lumpsum of $350 at the start of the assignment,
• Medical insurance; Life cover, and annual leave,
• Access to all learning platforms,
• A once off exit lumpsum at the end of the assignment.