SDG Finance Specialist

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts 
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

Office/Unit/Project Description 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its Sustainable Finance Hub, supports governments in aligning financing with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Hub provides a comprehensive package of tools and advisory services for public and private financing that enables SDG-aligned reforms and investments.

As a central component of the Financing for Development agenda, Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) help countries design and implement financing strategies that align public and private financing with national development plans. Since 2019, over 85 countries have used the INFF approach, with support from UNDP and partners.

Following the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), UN Member States formally recognized INFFs as a core component of the global financing framework. The FfD4 outcome document highlights INFFs as a means to: align international support with national sustainable development strategies (para 8); promote sustainable budgeting (para 27c); and strengthen development cooperation frameworks (para 40a).

In response, the INFF Facility was relaunched as a Seville Impact Initiative with an expanded mandate, broader partnerships, and strengthened governance. Co-led by UNDP, UNDESA, UNICEF, and OECD, the Facility is the only dedicated global platform for INFF support. It delivers tailored technical assistance, methodological guidance, peer learning, and capacity development to help countries translate development strategies into actionable financing reforms.

A key complement in the work of the Facility will be its knowledge and training components, ensuring that products respond to country demand and reflect global good practice. The SDG Finance Specialist will support this role, leading the development and delivery of core methodological and training components of the Facility.

Scope of Work

Lead the Development and Implementation of the INFF Training Hub

• Lead the development and implementation of the INFF Training Hub as part of the INFF Facility’s joint work programme, building on the pilot phase and lessons learned.
• Coordinate the development and rollout of structured training programmes to certify at least 50 experts and 80 government officials in the INFF methodology in 2025 and 2026.
• Design and implement a comprehensive training offer based on INFF knowledge products that includes:
• Thematic training modules and deep dives aligned with Facility guidance (e.g. climate finance, leaving no one behind).
• Peer-learning events, workshops, and dialogues to support practical application of the INFF methodology.
• Establish quality assurance mechanisms and a certification process for INFF experts, contributing to a well-trained and diverse technical roster.

Strengthen INFF Guidance and Methodology

• Develop and update at least three analytical or methodological products to support INFF implementation, incorporating lessons learned from country experiences and emerging global financing trends.
• Systematize and refine existing guidance and tools in close coordination with Facility partners, ensuring consistency across the Training Hub and broader knowledge offer.
• Coordinate the production of case studies and policy notes to illustrate effective INFF implementation and support their use in training and global advocacy.

Support Development and Operationalization of INFF Facility 2.0

• Contribute to the conceptual development and drafting of the INFF Facility’s new Programme Framework Document for 2026–2030, ensuring alignment with the Seville mandate and FfD4 outcome.
• Support the implementation of the Facility’s new governance structure, particularly:
• Organizing and facilitating the Annual Country-led Dialogue on the sidelines of the ECOSOC FfD Forum, serving as a platform for strategic country input and peer exchange.
• Coordinating the preparation of key documentation and follow-up to inform Steering Group deliberations.
• Helping establish inclusive processes for capturing country demands and aligning Facility support accordingly.
• Engage in strategic coordination with co-hosting partners (UNDESA, UNDP, UNICEF, OECD) and help shape a cohesive operational approach within the Secretariat.

Engage with sector stakeholders to develop critical partnerships at global, regional, and country levels for the INFF Facility

• Contribute to the partnership and communications strategy for the INFF Facility 
• Liaise with INFF stakeholders to carry out INFF methodological trainings (webinars or in person) for partner governments, colleagues, consultants, and/or private sector representatives
• Engage in ongoing partnering with key INFF stakeholders such as the IMF and World Bank.

Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s) and UNDP. 

• Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training and other relevant capacity building activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia. Lead workshops with senior level officials and stakeholders. 

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

Institutional Arrangement

• The SDG Finance Specialist will work under the supervision of the INFF Team Lead within the Sustainable Finance Hub.

Competencies

Core

Core Competencies
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

Cross-functional and technical competencies

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Direction and Strategy	Negotiation and Influence	Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.
Business Direction and 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
Business management	Project management	Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Partnership management	Relationship management	Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Partnership management	Private Sector Engagement	Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and manage relationships with the private sector
2030 Agenda: Partnerships	SDG Finance	Budgeting for the SDGs
Knowledge Facilitation	Knowledge Facilitation	Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Academic Education  

• An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent), in  Economics, International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences or related field is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience  

• Minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) and 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in sustainable development financing, policy analysis, public finance, private sector development, strategic planning and budgeting, capacity building and advisory services

Required skills and competencies             

• At least five (5) years of professional experience in leading and supporting public finance and/or financial sector development work
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in developing countries 
• Proven experience in producing high-quality written outputs, including research papers, analytical reports, and policy briefs on relevant subjects.

Desired additional skills and competencies       

• Extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing capacity-building programmes and technical assistance initiatives is desired.
• Experience working on Integrated National Financing Frameworks is desirable.
• Experience in working with a United Nations is an asset.
• Experience with Agency/Programme/Fund to advance partnerships between organizations including IFIs is desired.

Required Language(s) (at working level)  

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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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