Regional Nature Pledge Coordinator – Nature Hub (Asia-Pacific)

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in UNDP’s Strategic Plan. 

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private, government and civil society dialogues, and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. 

UNDP’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan highlighting our continued commitment to eradicating poverty, accompanying countries in their pathways towards the SDGs and working towards the Paris Agreement. As part of the GPN in the BPPS, UNDP’s Nature, Climate Change, Energy, and Waste (NCE&W) Hubs promote and scale up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas. 

UNDP recognizes healthy biodiversity and ecosystem services, including soil fertility and water provisioning, as the foundation of human wellbeing and sustainable development. It sees nature-based solutions as essential solutions for tackling multiple developmental challenges, be they land degradation and desertification, climate crisis, inequality and poverty, insecurity and migration.  The Nature Hub within BPPS coordinates the newly launched UNDP Nature Pledge aiming to embed nature in UNDP’s development thinking and practices and bring the whole of UNDP approach to tackling the planetary crisis.  This flagship commitment will empower more than 140 countries to translate their ambitious targets under the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework into tangible actions.

The Nature Pledge aims to drive three interconnected shifts essential for countries to address the key components of global systems: economic, financial, social, and political. This is because the root causes of nature loss is traced to unsustainable production and consumption patterns, corruption in the management of natural resources, and the failure to account for nature in economic and financial calculations that prioritize short-term profit over sustainability.

• The Global Value Shift seeks to alter narratives and behaviors, emphasizing the centrality of nature across various sectors, including governance, economics, finance, health, and conservation. It aims to dispel outdated beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that perpetuate false trade-offs between people and nature or between development and the environment. Instead, it promotes regenerative and sustainable growth, offering opportunities, security, and peace for people while safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems.
• The Economic and Finance Shift aims to ensure that natural capital is valued on par with financial and human-made capital by decision-makers and shift flows of finance from nature negative to nature positive at a global scale. This shift encourages a transition from a nature-negative to a nature-positive economy. Initiatives like the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures are incentivizing the private sector to align with the Global Biodiversity Framework and shift toward nature-positive practices.
• The Policy and Practice Shift strives for large-scale change on the ground, led by countries, grounded in local communities, and informed by Indigenous knowledge. Improved policy and legal framework, natural resource governance, area management through gender responsive approaches are supported. UNDP’s support through initiatives like the Biodiversity Finance Initiative and its extensive Vertical Fund portfolio already embodies this approach.

Crucially, implementing the Nature Pledge necessitates a change in mindset within UNDP. 

To implement our Nature Pledge, a comprehensive UNDP approach is required, akin to what we have undertaken with our Climate Promise. These twin initiatives mutually reinforce each other, recognizing that the achievement of climate goals and the SDGs hinges on the preservation of nature.

The Regional Nature Pledge Coordinator works under the overall supervision and leadership of the Nature Pledge Global Coordinator, the Principal Technical Advisor (PTA) for Ecosystems and Biodiversity, and the Regional Team Leader for Environment and Energy based in UNDP’s Regional Hub in Bangkok, Thailand, and in close collaboration with other technical specialists within the environment hubs and across the GPN teams, and advisors at both global and regional levels. 

The Regional Nature Pledge Coordinator will be office-based at the Bangkok Regional Hub in Thailand and required to travel based on demands, with prior approval by supervisors.

The Regional Nature Pledge Coordinator will report to the Global Nature Pledge Coordinator, and secondary to the Principal Technical Advisor (PTA) – Ecosystem and Biodiversity, and Regional Team Leader for Environment and Energy. The specialist will also work as part of the Nature Pledge global team. This role involves frequent communication and coordination with various stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure the successful implementation of the Nature Pledge.

The Regional Nature Pledge Coordinator will play a pivotal role in supporting implementation of UNDP’s Nature Pledge in the Asia-Pacific region. Working closely with the Global Nature Pledge Coordinator and task team, and in accordance with agreed strategic engagement and activation priorities, the coordinator’s primary responsibilities include:

Strategic Guidance, Communication and Advocacy 

• Provide strategic guidance and technical expertise on the implementation of the Nature Pledge in the region, with a specific focus on the three system shifts: Value Shift, Economic and Finance Shift, and Policy and Practice Shift. 
• Enhance coordination among regional and country teams across thematic areas in the implementation of Nature Pledge activities.
• Support the development and implementation of policies, projects/programmes and practices at the ground level in countries, ensuring they are informed by the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Contribute to raising awareness about the Nature Pledge, its objectives and its relevance to the mandate of UNDP and thematic work areas through communication and advocacy efforts.
• Engage with media, stakeholders, and the public to build support and momentum for the Nature Pledge.

Internal and External Partnership for Nature Pledge Implementation: 

• Identify entry points for integrated action across thematic teams at the regional and national levels to embed nature in UNDP’s development thinking and practice and support implementation of joint actions between different units. 
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with GPN teams in the Bangkok Regional Hub (in particular, Business and Human Rights, Youth team, SDG finance team, Inclusive Growth, Governance, Innovation) and collaborate closely with Country Offices in the region to integrate Nature Pledge objectives into their respective strategies and practices. 
• Establish partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders to support Nature Pledge initiatives.
• Enhance linkages between regional and country development priorities and advise on entry points for mainstreaming nature to deliver better. 

Technical Support for Country Offices: 

• Provide technical expertise and guidance to UNDP Country Offices, particularly the pilot Country Offices to be determined. 
• Strengthen Country Office capacity and facilitate the integration of Nature Pledge commitments into respective Country Programmes.
• Assist in the development of country-specific strategies and action plans to align with the Nature Pledge’s objectives.
• Support Nature Pledge implementation through Vertical Fund project development and implementation across priority focal areas (Biodiversity, Land Degradation, International Waters, Climate Change Adaptation, Chemicals & Waste, etc.).
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of policy and practice shifts in pilot countries.

Knowledge Sharing, Monitoring and Reporting, and capacity building: 

• Disseminate knowledge and best practices related to the Nature Pledge and its system shifts, promoting cross-learning among Country Offices and regional teams.
• Develop monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track progress towards Nature Pledge objectives, ensuring that targets are met and results are achieved.
• Monitor progress and impact of Nature Pledge initiatives, prepare periodic reports, and provide feedback for adjustments and improvements.
• Identify capacity gaps within Country Offices and provide training and support to enhance their ability to implement nature-positive initiatives.
• Conduct training and capacity-building activities for regional and country office staff to enhance their understanding of the Nature Pledge and its implications for their work.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices among Country Offices and regional teams.
• Prepare training materials and resources related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Partnership and Resource Mobilization: 

• Identify, build, and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector entities, and indigenous communities, to support the Nature Pledge’s implementation.
• Support resource mobilization efforts for Nature Pledge activities in the region, including engaging with potential donors and partners.

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