Overview
The National Programme Specialist- Nature Finance will lead the implementation of nature financing in Malaysia, bridging project-level implementation with high-level policy and spearheading the development of new financing instruments.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide overarching strategic direction for UNDP Malaysia’s biodiversity finance portfolio.
- Oversee and implement Technical Assistance (TA) facilities.
- Build the capacity of incubators, local enterprise partners, and community stakeholders.
- Spearhead pipeline development by bridging the gap between conservation NGOs, business incubators, and Financial Service Providers (FSPs).
- Coordinate with relevant colleagues to equip FSPs with the capacity to apply the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and monitor biodiversity impact.
- Synthesize key lessons and data to influence national policies and regulations on scaling nature-based finance.
- Establish and manage multi-stakeholder governance and decision-making committees.
- Conduct targeted field missions to potential and financed enterprises.
- Manage the day-to-day operational execution of key biodiversity finance workstreams.
- Develop annual work plans and budgets for relevant initiatives.
- Lead comprehensive donor reporting, manage randomized third-party verifications, facilitate knowledge sharing and drive impact tracking.
- Map, identify, and operationalize opportunities for alignment between portfolio initiatives.
- Monitor programmatic and operational risks.
- Ensure compliance with project frameworks and funding requirements.
- Ensure all portfolio interventions integrate a gender equality perspective.
- Maintain regular engagement with national and subnational government counterparts, conservation partners, financial institutions, private sector actors and indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC).
- Cultivate strong relationships with members of the Tiger Conservation Coalition and key partners.
- Participate at relevant national, regional, and global forums.
- Assist in resource mobilization and contribute to the development of future projects and instruments.
- Facilitate South-South exchanges and promote Malaysia’s role as a regional knowledge hub.
- Provides leadership and coordination in knowledge building and management.
- Contribute to the development of knowledge products.
- Substantively contribute to project communications and visibility efforts.
- Identify, write and communicate success stories, best practices and lessons learnt.
- Support organising of knowledge generating events.
- Work with UNDP Country Office’s Communications Unit on the implementation of Communications and Advocacy Strategies and Plan.
- Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary.
Required Experience
Minimum 5 years (with master´s degree) or 7 years) with bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in the field of resource mobilisation, pipeline development for nature positive initiatives, impact investing, sustainable financing and/or sustainable business incubation for climate and nature. Experience in project, programme and/or portfolio management, including coordination and delivery of development initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. Experience establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with private sector entities, financial institutions, government agencies, development partners, communities and other relevant stakeholders. Experience in writing good quality reports, policy briefs/papers, and/or communication & advocacy articles/blog/stories. Experience working with the UN and/or UNDP's and familiar with rules, policies and procedures are an asset.
Qualifications
Advanced University degree (master´s degree) in Finance, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field is required; OR A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the said fields above in combination with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master's degree.
