Project Coordinator, Sustainable Finance Specialist

Context 

UNDP, the UN system’s leader for sustainable development, catalyzes collective action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through its Global Policy Network (GPN), it offers global and field-based technical expertise to support the priorities outlined in its Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which reaffirms its commitment to eradicating poverty, advancing the SDGs, and supporting the Paris Agreement. UNDP’s Nature, Climate Change, Energy, and Waste hubs implement integrated approaches to reduce inequalities, strengthen livelihoods, mitigate conflict, and foster resilient governance systems to advance peace and security agendas.

The 2019 global assessment by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) alerted the world to the rate of biodiversity loss, unprecedented in human history. In Algeria, natural ecosystems, whether terrestrial, freshwater, or marine, are also under increasing pressure. The country boasts rich biodiversity, particularly its Saharan and Mediterranean ecosystems and wetlands, but these natural resources are threatened by anthropogenic factors.

The main drivers of biodiversity loss in Algeria include changes in land and sea use, overexploitation of natural resources, the effects of climate change, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species. These losses have a significant economic impact, both nationally and locally, endangering the livelihoods of populations who depend on these resources.

Algeria has undertaken several initiatives to counter biodiversity loss. The country adopted the National Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity (SNAPB), which aims to protect and sustainably manage its ecosystems. Furthermore, Algeria has strengthened its network of protected areas, which currently covers approximately 11% of the country’s territory, including national parks and nature reserves such as Tassili National Park and Belezma National Park.

Algeria has also committed to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by increasing financial resources for biodiversity conservation. The country is working to mobilize domestic resources by reallocating environmentally harmful agricultural and energy subsidies and by integrating biodiversity considerations into national development plans. 

However, despite these efforts, significant challenges remain. Public budgets dedicated to biodiversity are still limited, and mobilizing additional resources, both national and international, remains a challenge. Current funding for biodiversity in Algeria comes primarily from public funds, supplemented by international contributions, particularly through Official Development Assistance (ODA). 

Biodiversity financing tools and solutions play a crucial role in achieving biodiversity and sustainable development goals. Improving the design and implementation of these solutions allows countries to better address the biodiversity financing gap, including through BIOFIN financing plans, recognized as an effective means of achieving national and global targets. The Montreal-Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, includes Target 19, which encourages resource mobilization and the creation of national financing plans. The GEF supports countries in developing these plans, which involve a systemic analysis of the national economy, identifying existing financing mechanisms, removing harmful subsidies, and improving spending efficiency. A global program facilitates experience sharing and provides ongoing technical support to national teams.

The BIOFIN project, which has been deployed in several countries, could provide a valuable methodology for Algeria, helping it assess its biodiversity expenditures and develop coherent national financial plans. Furthermore, private sector integration, through the development of green finance and the encouragement of sustainable investments, is a promising avenue for increasing available resources.

Algeria has the opportunity to strengthen its biodiversity efforts by aligning its national policies with the new global objectives. The implementation of a National Biodiversity Financing Plan (PNFB), inspired by international best practices, would clarify financial needs, mobilize additional resources, and ensure coherence between public policies and investments.

In conclusion, while continuing to protect its natural resources and integrate biodiversity into its economic and development policies, Algeria can play a key role in achieving the objectives of the Global Biodiversity Framework. International cooperation, combined with a solid national strategy, could catalyze the investments needed to reverse the trend of biodiversity loss in the country.

Biodiversity Financing Plans (BFPs) help define the financial needs to implement National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in line with the objectives of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). They aim to institutionalize biodiversity financing to ensure its integration into national policies. The overall program includes four main components: 

1. Analysis of national policies and institutions : Assess the policy and institutional framework related to biodiversity, identify stakeholders and existing financing mechanisms.

2. National Expenditure Review : Analyze biodiversity expenditures across all economic sectors to understand the integration of biodiversity into policies and identify challenges.

3. Financial Needs Assessment : Calculate the funds needed to achieve the CMB’s objectives, prioritizing actions according to their cost-effectiveness.

4. Development of financing plans : Summarize the findings of previous assessments, identifying sustainable financing solutions, including actions to encourage biodiversity-friendly investments and corporate social responsibility

In order to facilitate the implementation of the initiative described above, UNDP Algeria is recruiting a Project Manager who will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision of project staff, consultants and subcontractors, for the implementation of the GEF-funded project “Global Programme on National Biodiversity Finance Plans Algeria”. The Project Manager will also and above all play the role of technical leader to ensure the technical quality of all analyses produced by the consultants and will be directly responsible for drafting the Biodiversity Finance Plan. 

Champ d’application

The Sustainable Finance Project Manager will be responsible for the overall supervision and management of project activities, ensuring that a work plan and adequate budget are in place and implemented within the set timeframe, with an effective national team and strong partnerships. The Project Manager will work closely with the technical team composed of an environmental policy expert and a biodiversity finance specialist to ensure that implementation mechanisms and technical working groups are established and meet regularly, that all planned workshops, technical studies and other activities are organized on time and meet the expected quality standards. 

He/she is expected to have senior-level experience and provide substantial technical expertise to ensure horizontal integration and coherence of workflows/studies, as well as advisory services and quality assurance of national products and processes throughout the duration of the project. He/she will be responsible for the different components of the project: the production of the Policy and Institutional Analysis (PIA), Biodiversity Expenditure Analysis (BEA) and Financial Needs Assessment (FNA). He/she will also lead the preparation of the biodiversity finance plan and oversee the identification and implementation of requested financing solutions. He/she will also be specifically responsible for outreach activities to national stakeholders (government, donors, academia, etc.), and the preparation of synthesis reports, policy briefs, press releases and information notes for the government, UNDP, etc.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the team leader of the Nature, Climate and Energy portfolio

Project management

• Supervise national and international experts, in close collaboration with the UNDP country office, the national project director and the Global Project Management and Technical Support Unit (GPMTSU).
• Develop a clear vision and specific objectives for the biodiversity finance program, defining key steps and milestones to be achieved.
• Effectively manage the financial, human and material resources allocated to the program, ensuring their optimal use.
• Draft/revise the terms of reference for the national project team members.
• In consultation with UNDP Country Office and GPMTSU, develop/revise work plan and budget and submit draft work plans/budgets in a timely manner.
• Supervise the work of experts and institutions to ensure that results are delivered on time, within the set budget and to high quality standards; facilitate, guide and monitor the work of the national team;
• Ensure that administrative requirements and budgets are managed and executed in a timely and appropriate manner, in compliance with UNDP and donor rules and regulations.
• Organize all relevant project workshops in a consultative manner, involving a wide variety of biodiversity finance stakeholders, including government, private sector, NGOs, donors and academia.
• Discuss with the Ministries of Finance, Environment and other key stakeholders and ensure the establishment of the National Steering Committee and follow up on the formal establishment and regular convening of the committee, and prepare meeting reports to be shared with the Steering Committee, UNDP Country Office and GPMTSU. 
• Maintain regular communication with the Ministries of Environment and Finance for the development and completion of all reports and products.
• Ensure the link between project processes and products and relevant national planning, biodiversity and finance processes, such as NBSAP updates and implementation of the global biodiversity framework. 
• Identify, assess and manage potential risks related to national implementation, and communicate them promptly to the Project Management Unit while putting in place appropriate mitigation measures.
• Organize regular national team meetings and monthly calls with the GPMTSU technical advisor.
• Establish a monitoring and evaluation system to track progress in program implementation, and adjust strategies as necessary to ensure their effectiveness.
• Ensure participation of national team members in regional technical calls. 
• Participate in regional and global meetings organized by GPMTSU.

Technical tasks and responsibilities

• Act as the primary technical contact for project implementation with GPMTSU regarding all issues and problems that arise during national implementation. 
• Provide key technical leadership on all financial matters and ensure horizontal integration and consistency of workflows/studies.
• Provide overall direction and quality control for the four main project outputs. 
• Provide technical support to the national project team to carry out all BIOFIN methodology outputs in a consistent and high-quality manner. 
• Ensure that draft versions of all work are sent regularly to the Global Technical Advisor and GPMTSU to provide support and ensure that feedback is properly incorporated into country reports.
• Produce research and develop the sections on subsidies and financial incentives in the API in accordance with the guidance provided by the GPMTSU and written guidance documents (in particular the BIOFIN Manual). 
• Provide technical support for ADB data collection, analysis and findings.
• Support data collection, modeling, quality verification and validation of EBF.
• Develop a Biodiversity Finance Plan (BFP) in accordance with guidance provided by the Global BIOFIN Team, GPMTSU and written guidance documents (in particular the BIOFIN Handbook).
• Design innovative financial strategies that promote the mobilization of resources for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity, taking into account the principles of sustainability.
• Conduct in-depth financial analyses to assess the economic viability of biodiversity projects and investments.

Reporting/Communication/S&E

• Report to the UNDP Country Office and GPMTSU any delays in national deliverables compared to the work plan.
• Lead project monitoring, reporting and evaluation at the national level, drafting monthly and quarterly reports for review by the lead expert and submission to the global team.
• Coordinate the preparation of technical workshop reports. 
• Review all technical reports as necessary. 
• Ensure alignment of national work with global methodologies such as the BIOFIN manual and others. 
• Liaise with relevant UNDP and other organizations’ initiatives and programs to support project implementation, including BIOFIN, the NBSAP Support Program, the GEF Early Action Support Program, the Nature Hub, and other organizations and initiatives. 
• Review the final reports of the National Policy and Institutional Review, Biodiversity Expenditure Review, Financial Needs Assessment and Biodiversity Finance Plan.
• Develop, in collaboration with other team members, at least one short publication per year, press releases and web and media products.
• Prepare regular reports on activities and progress made in the implementation of the program, providing detailed information on the use of funds and the results achieved.
• Communicate transparently with all relevant stakeholders, highlighting successes and addressing challenges encountered.
• Establish a monitoring and evaluation system to assess the impact of funded projects on biodiversity, by collecting relevant data and analyzing the results obtained.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy in assigned thematic areas.

• Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure that appropriate training, project workshops, and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, with the participation of technical experts and stakeholders that may include government, the private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Ensure that project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.
• Participate in knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project-related issues and ensure that there are robust contributions to these networks and communities. Support the establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for disseminating project knowledge, and develop resources and knowledge products to share with project partners and support UNDP’s engagement in this area. 
• Promote UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration to address development trends in coordination with project partners, stakeholders and UNDP communications staff. 

Institutional arrangement

At the global level, this framework programme will be supported by a Project Management and Technical Support Unit (GPMTSU). 

At the national level within the framework of the Project Management Unit (PMU), a full-time project manager, an environmental policy expert, a biodiversity finance specialist and others, as needed. 

The project management unit will be located in the premises of the Ministry of Finance. 

A GPMTSU specialist technical advisor will be available to support each country’s work. 

The Project Manager will work under the supervision of the Nature, Climate and Energy Portfolio Manager and will be responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the project on behalf of the implementing partner, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision of project staff, responsible parties, consultants and subcontractors. 

The Project Manager typically presents key outputs and documents to the National Project Director, National Steering Committee, and GPMTSU for review and approval, including progress reports, annual work plans, tolerance level adjustments, and risk registers. 

SKILLS

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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