Public Finance for SDGs Lead Advisor

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the SFH Director, the Public Finance for SDGs Lead Advisor, Sustainable Finance Hub, will be responsible for performing the following duties and responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development
• Lead implementation and multi-stakeholder engagement for the public finance portfolio, including engaging with public finance experts, IMF, OECD, World Bank and other multilaterals, Donors, Governments, UNDP GPN, UNDP Regional Bureaus (RBs)/Hubs and Country Offices.
• Build and maintain a network of implementation partners across the portfolio including international and regional organisations providing services on public finance.
• Support RBs and COs in building strategic alliances and partnerships with governments, think tanks, academic institutions, development partners and others.
• Provide technical and strategic advice to develop integrated approaches across tools such as SDG Taxation Frameworks; SDG budgeting approaches and SDG-aligned debt instruments.
• Work collaboratively across different teams within UNDP and SFH and identify potential synergies with other initiatives and services (e.g. INFF, unlocking private capital and the SDG Finance Academy).
• Support governments in integrating digitalization and data analytics in public finance processes to enhance stakeholder engagement and portfolio impact.

Policy and Technical Advisory Support

• Provide technical advice to support the expansion of the global public finance for SDGs portfolio in the areas of tax, expenditure, and debt with a focus on integrated approaches that leverage and align public finance for the SDGs.
• Work with UNDP’s Regional SDG Finance Advisors and Project Specialists in identifying and supporting the development of synergies between the public finance work of Country Offices and other broader sustainable development programming.
• Support the strengthening of the ExpRes Roster (managed by UNDP’s Crisis Bureau) to support public finance for SDGs engagements and provide quality assurance and oversight in the deployments at country levels.
• Lead the design of new areas of technical support for public finance for SDGs including for example integrated analytical tools to assess impact of tax and expenditure on gender, inequality and climate change or public finance management tools to support SDG thematic debt issuance.
• Engage with policymakers on public finance matters and further develop the role of UNDP in public finance for the SDGs.
• Promote the adoption of digital tools and data analytics to advance public finance strategies for SDGs, ensuring a data-driven approach in policy advice and technical support.

Project leadership and management

• Develop programme proposals and secure donor resources to scale up Public Finance for SDGs initiatives at global, regional, and country level.
• Lead and oversee relevant global projects including the Tax for SDGs, and TIWB projects and ensure accountability for their delivery in line with donor and client expectations.
• Complete recruitments, procurement and contracting to deliver the project activities. Ensure compliance of different activities with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for different processes of the project and manage programmes accordingly.
• Implement the internal control system on project finances and oversee project budget and cash flow in Quantum.
• Keep project boards informed of the project activities and together with the SFH Director ensure appropriate reporting and communications with the board.

Thought Leadership and Knowledge Management

• Working with the SFH Director and communications team, collaborate on thought leadership and communications for the public finance portfolio.
• Lead the organization of events, including conferences, consultations, and workshops as well project board meetings to further establish UNDP thought leadership on public finance for the SDGs.
• Develop evidence to inform country, regional and global policy, and approaches to public finance for the SDGs.
• Develop policy and messaging to support UNDP leadership and senior management in their positioning of UNDP and in their delivery of the UNDP Strategic Plan.
• Lead the development of resources (technical methodologies, knowledge products and policy papers) to enhance capacities on public finance for SDGs including in collaboration with international, regional, and country partners.
• Initiate digital and data-focused knowledge sharing initiatives to reinforce UNDP’s leadership in innovative public finance for the SDGs.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or above) in taxation, fiscal economics, public finance or other directly related field 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:

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience (with a master’s degree), or 12 years of technical and management experience in the field of public finance/ tax/ fiscal policy and/ or administration is required.
• Experience in working with International Financial Institutions is mandatory.
• Track record of providing policy advice and capacity development support to Ministries of Finance and /or tax authorities in developing countries is required.
• Sound experience in writing and analytical skills, including the ability to write concept notes, outcome reporting, and other written communication is required.
• Relevant experience in providing technical assistance and support to UNDP Country Offices, governments, or development partners across different regions on matters related to public finance is desired.
• Experience of results-based management, particularly as relates to public finance initiatives is an asset.
• Experience in resource mobilization and donor relations is preferred.
• Solid understanding of global normative discussion on public finance and taxation is an advantage.

Language:

• Proficiency in English is mandatory.
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/19464