SDG Finance Policy Analyst

Background

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to end poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, as well as protect the planet, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, these efforts aim to ensure that improvements in human wellbeing remain within ecological boundaries. We also help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities and institutional capabilities, as well as build resilience, in order to achieve the SDGs.

UNDP China has been working in China over the past 45 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development. UNDP China’s actions and programmes for the period of 2021-2025 are defined in its Country Programme Document for China (CPD), prepared in cooperation with the Government of China and other partners. The CPD contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for China 2021-2025 and aligned to support the development priorities outlined in the Government of China’s 14th Five Year Plan.

We support the attainment of the SDGs in China, by promoting sustainable development principles in policies and decision-making, focusing on reducing inequality, promoting inclusive, low-carbon growth and protecting the environment.  Our work involves shaping the policy discourse and practices in China’s international development cooperation by providing policy and technical guidance on alignment with international best practices and norms. In addition, UNDP leverages its global network to facilitate mutual knowledge and experience sharing between China and partner countries on best practices and lessons learned to advance the SDGs.

Under the guidance of UNDP China’s senior management, the Strategic Partnerships and Policy (SPP) team serves as the office’s knowledge hub, overseeing policy and research activities. The team closely collaborates with other teams and senior management, providing technical support informed by evidence-based knowledge products. The team is responsible for identifying and analysing key research areas and policy solutions in support of China’s progress towards achieving the SDGs and global environment commitments.

As UNDP is increasingly becoming an important partner in SDG financing, including innovative financial solutions, the Country Office has established the SDG Financing Portfolio to operationalize the agenda on financing the SDGs, within the responsibilities of the SPP team. The purpose of the Portfolio is to convene key stakeholders in the financing ecosystem, whose contributions are essential for aligning financing with the SDGs and to co-design and pilot innovative tools and mechanisms that can catalyse change. Within the team, the SDG Financing Portfolio focuses on improving the effectiveness of capital flows to the SDGs by engaging stakeholders, collaborating with policymakers, and advancing solutions for SDG impact.

Duties and Responsibilities

The SDG Finance Policy Analyst, will work under the guidance and supervision of Team Leader of the Strategic Partnerships and Policy team in UNDP China.

The SDG Finance Policy Analyst will lead a results-driven SDG finance portfolio at the UNDP China office, providing technical leadership, building partnerships, managing programmes, and driving resource mobilization. The role includes facilitating SDG finance policy discussions, engaging stakeholders at various levels, and fostering knowledge sharing between Chinese and international experts on sustainable finance issues or relevance for China and the SDGs. Additionally, the Analyst will manage events, knowledge products, and support SDG financing initiatives, while offering policy advice and strengthening partnerships to advance SDG finance projects. The following key responsibilities outline the role in detail:

Provide strategic inputs for the design and implementation of the office’s research and policy advocacy programmes/ projects focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Provide inputs and strategic recommendations for the development of relevant programme/project proposals in line with UNDP’s Country Programme and for scaling up of the SDG finance portfolio, when appropriate in close collaboration with UNDP and other UN agencies regional and corporate networks of experts.
• In close consultation with the relevant stakeholders, identify areas for support and intervention within the area of sustainable financing to maintain UNDP’s relevance within the context of the country’s evolving development situation.
• Provide policy advice and technical support to the design and implementation of SDG finance policy projects of the portfolio through consultation with the Government, development partners, UN agencies, financial institutions, NGOs/CSOs and other partners.
• Contribute to gender-mainstreaming in research and analysis, as well as in the formulation of policies, programme interventions, procedures, guidelines, and tools of the SPP team.

Ensure provision of top quality policy advice services to the Governments, financial sector and relevant stakeholders, facilitation of knowledge management and capacity building, and effective cross-project and cross-unit knowledge fertilization focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Identify sources of information related to policy-relevant issues concerning SDG finance and other related topics. Identify institutions that will address the country’s problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Identify and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to thematic issues and facilitate access to this information by programme and project staff within and outside the country office and other relevant counterparts.
• Ensure that key policy results data and promotional material are available to showcase the progress, achievements and impacts of UNDP’s work in the SDG finance area through knowledge sharing and advocacy networks, and, when appropriate, make contributions to UNDP global policy networks and communities of practice.
• Prepare briefs, talking points, and other documents as required.

Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization strategy and efforts focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Manage the partnership building and support resource mobilization efforts, develop proposals and marketing materials, and participate in relevant country and regional-focused external meetings, in line with the country office’s partnership and resource mobilization strategy.
• Ensure the country office has access to thought leaders and experts to support technical assistance for innovative approaches to financing the SDGs.
• Build, nurture and maintain a network of knowledge and implementation partners on SDG financing and support the implementation of regional partnership strategies with UN and external partner institutions, including governments, IFIs, private sector, academia, NGOs, and CSOs.
• Participate in relevant external meetings, including resource mobilization, partnership and advocacy activities with UN partners, and external stakeholders.

Management of the project/programme, including ensuring effective quality assurance and oversight, and application of Results Based Management (RBM) across the portfolio

• Monitor policy projects and liaise with participating UN agencies, key stakeholders, and responsible partners to keep track of project progress according to plan, support problem-solving, and implement corrective measures.
• Ensure effective application of RBM tools and project/programme monitoring and evaluation procedures and guidelines to promote achievement of outcome level results.
• Where relevant, effective management, monitoring and reporting of country office programmes and projects.
• Where relevant, in collaboration with the programme units and project management units, develop project annual workplans, including detailed plans for procurement and recruitment of goods and services.
• Where relevant, preparation of project reports for donors.

Other responsibility

• Support the head of SPP team in overseeing and managing research projects in other thematic areas, including human development, green transition, etc.
• Contribute to other office-wide initiatives and perform additional tasks as required to support UNDP’s overall mandate.

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

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Development

• Integration within the UN - Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.
• Knowledge Generation - Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches.
• Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management

• 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.

2030 Agenda: Partnerships

• SDG Finance - Public Finance for the SDGs.
• SDG Finance - SDG-aligned Fiscal and Debt Instrument.
• SDG Finance - Unlocking Private Capital and Aligning Business Operations for the SDGs.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, International Development or other related fields is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in sustainable financing policy advisory, and partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience in international green and sustainable bonds market, including familiarity with framework, issuance modalities, and procedures related to debt instrument, as well as expertise in blended finance and fiscal policy.
• Experience supporting or contributing to China’s initiatives related to financing the dual carbon goals and/or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Prior engagement with UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub offers, tools, or initiatives is an asset.

Required Languages

• Fluency in both English and Mandarin Chinese is required.