Technical Specialist/ Project Manager (Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants)

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is a global partnership led by the United Nations Development Programme that assists countries in identifying, mobilizing, and effectively utilizing financial resources required to achieve national and global biodiversity conservation goals. BIOFIN provides a structured and evidence-based methodology to assess biodiversity expenditures, estimate biodiversity financing needs, analyze policy and institutional frameworks, and develop practical Biodiversity Finance Plans (BFPs) that identify priority finance solutions to address biodiversity finance gaps.

The initiative supports governments in aligning biodiversity conservation objectives with national development priorities by integrating biodiversity considerations into public finance systems, economic planning processes, and private sector investments. Through its comprehensive approach, BIOFIN promotes innovative financing mechanisms, policy reforms, improved expenditure efficiency, enhanced governance systems, and stronger institutional capacities to ensure long-term and sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.

BIOFIN Phase II (2024–2030) represents a strategic shift from assessment and planning towards the implementation, scaling, and institutionalization of biodiversity finance solutions. Building on the achievements and lessons learned from Phase I, the second phase aims to transform identified finance solutions into operational mechanisms capable of generating measurable and sustainable biodiversity outcomes. The programme places particular emphasis on supporting governments in mobilizing both public and private sector investments, strengthening enabling policy environments, improving financial governance, and embedding biodiversity finance considerations into national planning and budgeting systems.

Under BIOFIN Phase II, Output 4: Biodiversity Finance Solutions focuses on the development, implementation, monitoring, scaling-up, and institutionalization of biodiversity finance solutions at national and sub-national levels. This includes identifying suitable financing instruments, supporting policy and regulatory reforms, strengthening partnerships with financial institutions and the private sector, improving public expenditure efficiency, and enhancing the capacity of government institutions to manage and sustain biodiversity financing mechanisms.

Nepal is participating in BIOFIN Phase II and has committed to strengthening the country’s biodiversity financing architecture in support of national biodiversity priorities, the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the global biodiversity framework. Through this programme, Nepal will focus on identifying, designing, implementing, and scaling prioritized biodiversity finance solutions that can contribute to closing the national biodiversity finance gap while supporting sustainable development objectives.

The project will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment (MoAFE), relevant sectoral ministries, provincial and local governments, development partners, financial institutions, private sector actors, civil society organizations, Indigenous People and local communities to promote innovative and sustainable financing approaches.

Through these efforts, BIOFIN Nepal aims to contribute to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity while supporting resilient livelihoods, ecosystem services, climate adaptation, and sustainable economic development across the country.

The Technical Specialist will lead the project and oversee day-to-day implementation of BIOFIN and will function as the Project Manager for BIOFIN in accordance with UNDP’s Internal Control Framework under the guidance of the Portfolio Manager and Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) for Nepal. The Technical Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that project results are delivered in line with the approved project document, meeting agreed standards of quality, timeframes, and budget. Key duties include preparing annual work plans and budgets for approval, as well as semi-annual and annual progress reports outlining achievements, challenges, and necessary adjustments. The Technical Specialist will manage procurement and recruitment of national and international service providers and specialist expertise in consultation with the BIOFIN Global team and country office. Given that the project is implemented in partnership with the Government of Nepal and various stakeholders, the Technical Specialist will also play a central role in coordinating the efforts of all partners to ensure coherent and effective delivery. The Technical Specialist will also be responsible for preparing the final report and other documentation required by the BIOFIN global team and UNDP CO during operational closure of the project.

• Develop annual work plans, budgets, and targets in line with the Biodiversity Finance Plan, Project Document and BIOFIN global team guidance;
• Monitor progress against plans, identify bottlenecks, and propose corrective measures to ensure timely delivery.
• Ensure to furnish regular updates, background materials, and reporting for decision-making;
• Lead and supervise the Project, setting clear objectives and providing performance guidance;
• Oversee procurement, contracting, and recruitment processes, including drafting TORs and technical specifications;
• Prepare and maintain accurate accounting records in line with UNDP and BIOFIN;
• Ensure the effective and accountable use of project resources in line with UNDP standards;
• Draft Terms of Reference (TORs), technical specifications, and related documentation to guide procurement and recruitment processes;
• Identify, contract, and supervise consultants, suppliers, and service providers to ensure quality and timely delivery of outputs;
• Coordinate and oversee the timely execution of project activities, consultants, and suppliers;
• Monitor the quality of technical outputs, ensuring compliance with approved standards;
• Establish and maintain systems for monitoring progress, risks, and results;
• Prepare semi-annual and annual progress reports for submission to the BIOFIN global team and UNDP;
• Support audits and ensure timely follow-up on recommendations.
• Support government counterparts in strengthening policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks related to biodiversity finance;
• Contribute to mainstreaming biodiversity finance within national planning processes, public financial management systems, and biodiversity strategies;
• Facilitate the institutionalization of BIOFIN methodologies, tools, and finance solutions within relevant government institutions;
• Provide technical support for integrating biodiversity finance priorities into the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), national development plans, and relevant sectoral policies.
• Take a lead in designing, implementing, and monitoring of finance solutions, including technical backstopping support for experts and consultants;
• Take lead on drafting, implementing, revising, and monitoring the biodiversity finance plan;
• Take lead to identify, assess, prioritize, and develop biodiversity finance solutions based on BIOFIN methodologies and national biodiversity priorities;
• Conduct policy, institutional, financial, and market analyses to identify opportunities and barriers for biodiversity financing in Nepal;
• Assist in the design and operationalization of innovative biodiversity finance mechanisms, aligning with the biodiversity finance plan;
• Coordinate feasibility assessments, business case development, financial modelling, stakeholder consultations, and implementation planning for selected finance solutions;
• Facilitate partnerships with government agencies, financial institutions, private sector entities, conservation organizations, and development partners to mobilize resources and implement finance solutions;
• Support pilot implementation and scaling-up of prioritized biodiversity finance solutions at national and sub-national levels;
• Monitor implementation progress and assess the effectiveness, sustainability, and impact of finance solutions.
• Serve as the central point of coordination and maintain strong working relationships with project partners at national, state, and community levels, ensuring effective liaison with government counterparts, UN agencies, and other responsible parties involved in implementation;
• Liaise closely with Responsible Parties for the implementation of specific interventions;
• Facilitate the technical advisory group and ensure effective inputs are integrated into project delivery.
• Maintain regular communication with Government, national stakeholders, and partners on project progress and emerging issues;
• Support project visibility and communications activities in coordination with UNDP and national partners;
• Act as a focal point for stakeholder feedback and local concerns related to project activities;
• Promote knowledge exchange and capacity development with Government counterparts and local stakeholders;
• Document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices within Nepal and across region.
• Facilitate linkages with regional and international platforms to draw on global expertise and share project experiences;
• Coordinate the design and implementation of the project’s capacity development activities, ensuring alignment with national priorities and project outcomes;
• Ensure that technical service providers incorporate on-the-job training and knowledge transfer components into their workplans and deliverables;
• Promote local ownership and sustainability by supporting institutionalization of new tools, systems, and standard operating procedures developed under the project;
• Coordinate documentation of lessons learned, training materials, and best practices, and support dissemination across national and regional platforms.
• Ensure mainstreaming of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles throughout project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting in line with national policies and BIOFIN/UNDP’s gender and social safeguards requirements;

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

Institutional Arrangement

BIOFIN Project is directly managed by UNDP under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment (MoAFE), which serves as the lead executing and policy coordinating agency. Strategic and technical support is provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal Country Office, which acts as the implementing partner responsible for overall project management, financial administration, procurement, quality assurance, and compliance with UNDP rules and procedures.

The BIOFIN Project Management Unit (PMU) is established within UNDP Nepal to oversee day-to-day implementation. The PMU is led by a Technical Specialist will function as the Project Manager role for BIOFIN in accordance with UNDP’s Internal Control Framework and will work under the direct supervision of the Portfolio Manager (Resilience and Environment) to ensure effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of BIOFIN activities.

A Project Steering Committee (PSC), chaired by MoAFE with participation from relevant government ministries, UNDP, and key stakeholders, provides strategic oversight, policy guidance, and approval of annual work plans, budgets, and key deliverables. The project follows a collaborative multi-stakeholder implementation modality involving federal, provincial, and local governments, along with financial institutions, private sector actors, and conservation partners. Regular reporting, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms are maintained in line with UNDP standards to ensure transparency, results-based management, and effective delivery of biodiversity finance solutions in Nepal.

Core

Achieve Results: | LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: | LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Thematic Area | Name | Definition

2030 Agenda: Planet | Nature | Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme: Biodiversity Mainstreamin

Procurement | Strategic sourcing | Knowledge of strategic sourcing concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations

Business Management | Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals

Partnerships Management | Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society, and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Risk Management | Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks

Business Direction & Strategy | System Thinking | Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

2030 Agenda: People | Gender | Innovation for Gender Equality

Min. years of relevant work experience | A minimum of 5 years (with a master’s degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in project implementation and management, with a focus on planning, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder and team coordination.

Required skills | Experience using MS office applications, web-based management information systems.

Required Language(s) | Fluency in English and Nepali is required.

Professional Certificates | n.a

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.

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.

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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