Regional SDG Finance Advisor at UNDP

The Regional SDG Finance Advisor leads and coordinates the SDG Finance team, covering both public and private finance dimensions of UNDP’s SDG Finance work. The team supports UNDP Country Offices on demand in all areas pertaining to the SDG Finance portfolio and offers; and leads regional, sub-regional and cross-country programming pertaining to SDG finance under the umbrella of UNDP’s Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific. In doing so, the regional SDG Finance team works closely with the thematic GPN teams in the region and ensures the systematic integration of SDG financing dimensions across all areas of UNDP’s policy and programme work in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide substantive leadership, strategic direction, and thematic integration for the SDG Finance portfolio in the region:
   • Provide substantive and technical leadership in all SDG Finance domains and ensure seamless integration of SDG finance approaches, tools, and instruments across all thematic areas of UNDP’s policy and program work in the region.
   • Lead the integration of public, private, and blended finance strategies and approaches at the regional level.
   • Provide thought leadership and engage in country-level, regional, and global fora to advance the sustainable finance agenda.
2. Lead and integrate SDG Finance policy and program support to UNDP country offices in the region:
   • Lead and provide policy and program advisory support to UNDP country offices (COs) and partners on all SDG finance offers, including financing strategies, regulatory and policy developments (e.g., sustainable finance taxonomies and roadmaps), and the design/implementation of mechanisms for scaling up financing for the SDGs.
   • Coordinate and provide oversight of the SDG Finance team’s provision of support to COs in all areas of SDG Finance, including the review and quality assurance of knowledge products, strategy and program documents, and in the context of the regional bureau’s CO business plans.
   • Nurture and mobilize public and private SDG finance partnerships to scale the scope, impact, and relevance of UNDP’s SDG Finance support in the region.
   • Proactively support the identification of SDG finance expertise through UNDP’s expert rosters and related processes in emerging and current areas.
3. Lead integrated regional and sub-regional programming in Sustainable Financing:
   • Lead regional and/or multi-country programming for SDG and climate financing and support regional GPN teams in integrating SDG financing dimensions across the Regional Programme portfolio.
   • Contribute to the implementation and programmatic growth of the regional program and related reporting requirements, ensuring that regional SDG finance programming is integrated, future-oriented, and risk-informed.
   • Initiate, support, and coordinate the development of proposals and programs related to SDG and climate financing.
4. Lead regional exchanges, partnerships, and resource mobilization for SDG Financing:
   • Nurture and build close collaboration and coordination with regional partners (e.g., UN ESCAP and UN agencies, funds, and programs) on SDG financing, including through regional issue-based coalitions.
   • Guide UNDP COs in accessing UN-internal and external funding mechanisms (e.g., the joint UN SDG Fund) and provide quality assurance for country-level and regional funding proposals.
   • Mobilize resources from regional and global sources, including donors, foundations, and private sector partners, as well as from global facilities and programs.
5. Lead on SDG Finance advocacy, communications, and capacity development at regional and CO levels:
   • Develop and lead effective SDG finance advocacy, promoting an effective enabling environment for SDG finance, tackling policy barriers, and capitalizing on impactful SDG Finance opportunities.
   • Provide intellectual leadership for research, learning, and knowledge generation related to SDG finance in the region and globally to contribute to UNDP’s global SDG finance agenda.
   • Support the development of SDG trainings and presentations, particularly in the areas of sustainable finance policy frameworks, innovative financing mechanisms, and their practical application.
6. Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:
   • Provide effective and inclusive leadership of the sustainable finance/SDG team and ensure its seamless integration with the regional and global GPN teams.
   • Ensure the team’s effective contribution to corporate and regional planning and reporting requirements.
   • Support CO focal points in their professional development and contribution to the regional community of practice.
   • Manage regional experts, consultants, and specialists based in the hub or outposted in COs in collaboration with country office-level managers.