About the role

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is hiring a BIOFIN National Coordinator in Belmopan to lead the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) programme in Belize. BIOFIN is a UNDP-led global partnership that helps countries assess biodiversity finance needs and gaps and develop finance solutions. In Belize it is implemented with the National Biodiversity Office (NBIO) to support the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2035. The coordinator provides leadership, technical oversight and operational management of the programme, and is accountable for delivering its results. The post reports to the Programme Lead for Nature, Climate and Energy, with time split between the UNDP Belize Country Office and the National Biodiversity Office. It is a full-time National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA-8) for one year, with the possibility of extension, and is open to local recruitment only.

Responsibilities

Prepare and revise the programme work plan and budget with the UNDP Country Office and the global BIOFIN team, and submit them on time for the bi-annual budget revisions
Organise project workshops with government, private sector, NGOs, donors and academia
Liaise with ministries including Sustainable Development, Finance and Economic Transformation to establish and regularly convene a National Steering Committee, and write its meeting reports
Oversee day-to-day coordination so activities align with national priorities, UNDP procedures and the BIOFIN methodology, and are delivered on time and to quality standards
Identify implementation risks early and communicate them to the global BIOFIN team
Oversee quality delivery of the BIOFIN technical components: the Policy and Institutional Review, Biodiversity Expenditure Review, Financial Needs Assessment and Biodiversity Finance Plan
Lead the development, prioritisation and implementation of biodiversity finance solutions
Facilitate collaboration with government ministries, the private sector, civil society, academia and development partners, and help mainstream BIOFIN recommendations into national systems
Oversee national consultants, experts and support staff, including the Finance and Biodiversity Project Associate, and ensure compliance with UNDP administrative, financial and procurement procedures
Lead national monitoring and reporting, drafting monthly and quarterly reports, workshop reports, briefing notes, case studies, press releases and web articles
Organise stakeholder consultations, advocate for BIOFIN recommendations, identify partnership and resource-mobilisation opportunities and organise a donor meeting
Organise training and capacity-building activities, and document best practices and lessons learned

Requirements

Master's degree (or equivalent) in economics, finance, public administration, natural resource management, biodiversity, climate change, environmental finance, environmental economics, environmental studies or a related field; or a bachelor's degree in these fields plus two years of qualifying experience
Applicants with a bachelor's degree need at least two years of relevant professional experience in economics, finance, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, environmental management, environmental finance or environmental economics (no experience is required with a master's degree)
Fluency in English

Preferred qualifications

At least 2 years working with international organisations, ministries or national institutions concerned with finance, natural resources or the environment
At least 2 years of project or programme management experience, preferably in a development organisation, government institution or international organisation
Proficiency in MS Office, including advanced spreadsheet and database skills, and experience with web-based management systems and social media
Proven ability to gather, analyse and process data and information
Excellent written, communication and interpersonal skills, with experience facilitating meetings and workshops
Strong leadership and coordination skills, including managing technical and administrative teams on large multi-stakeholder projects
Knowledge and experience in gender mainstreaming
Prior experience with UNDP project management or implementation
Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills
Willingness to travel
Knowledge of another UN language