General
Description of assignment title: Sustainable Finance Specialist (SFS)
Assignment country: Angola
Expected start date: 10/01/2025
Sustainable Development Goal: 13. Climate action
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNDP
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months
(with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Luanda
Details
Mission and objectives
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress. In Angola, the Country Office (CO) is currently implementing its Country Programme (CPD) for the period of 2020 – 2022, which is based on the premise of ‘leaving no one behind’ and ‘reaching those furthest behind first’. The programme includes integrated solutions to complex, interconnected development challenges. These challenges are currently being addressed through three complementary priorities:
- fostering poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth;
- increasing resilience to shocks and crises and enhancing management of natural re-sources for conservation and economic development; and
- strengthening inclusive democracy, human rights, justice and rule of law.
In partnership with the Government of Angola, the CO under programme priority 2 (increasing resilience to shocks and crises and enhancing management of natural resources for conservation and economic development) has been mobilizing efforts and resources to address development challenges in the areas of biodiversity and ecosystems, renewable energy, environmental policy and planning, natural resources management and governance, climate change, disaster risk reduction, resilience building, recovery and livelihoods. UNDP operates through offices in Luanda (for national level interventions), with site representations in Benguela, Cuanza Sul and Huíla.
Context
The Sustainable Finance Specialist (SFS) will play a central role in delivering Component 3 of a national initiative focused on financial readiness for nature-based solutions and sustainable land management in Angola. Working closely with government stakeholders, consultants, UNDP, and international finance actors, the SFS will help position Angola to access green, carbon, and biodiversity-linked finance.
The Specialist will also coordinate capacity-building actions, support the development of Communities of Practice (CoPs), and ensure strategic alignment with Angola’s commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD).
This assignment includes both high-level policy engagement and hands-on project coordination support, involving multiple national and international stakeholders.
Therefore, the primary role will be to engage and maintain collaboration with relevant ministries and government officials, particularly in the Ministry of Finance, donors and multi-lateral investment banks, relevant consultants and companies as needed, organisations such as Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) and UNDP High Integrity Carbon Market Initiative. They will engage and complement the work of the legal advisor and the international financial mechanisms consultant, and International Finance Safeguards specialist.
Task description
The Sustainable Finance Specialist will work in close partnership with International Financial instrument consultant.
- Assist in the creation of 4 community of Practices: Farmer, Logistics, Ecological, Carbon & Biodiversity.
- Coordinate activities and tasks associated with output 3.2,
- Be responsible for and provide technical insights for developing the financial literacy tools under output 4.1.1 for SME agricultural sector (Farm CoP and Logistics CoP), including supporting in hiring company, NGO, consulting firm to finalize training materials and deliver main training events (activities 4.1.1.2 and 4.1.1.3)
- Ensure the delivery of training workshops in conjunction with component 1 (promoting and training financial literacy includes 4 workshops in years 1, 2 and 3; for SLM Planning training 3 workshops /year in years 2 and 3 ) in Component 2 (workshops for training project implementation groups, NGOs, etc in conservation agriculture, including academic institutions) , and 3 (workshops for govt and private sector for finance tools; workshops for financial literacy and capacity building ).
- Ensure ECP scoped projects are tagged for Impact investment. (UN SDG, IFC Biodiversity, sustainability and green etc..) , NDC considerations and support National Action Plans under UNCCD, UNFCCC, and UNCBD.
- Work with LCOP Program Coordinator utilizing the LCoP to identify, create business plans and fill in gaps in agriculture verticle value chain.
- Work with FCoP Program Coordinator utilizing the FCoP to develop business plans to scale up and enhance conservation agriculture. Align FCoP verticle business plans with LCoP
- Liase with senior Landscape Planning and Restoration Specialist with feasibility of potential carbon & biodiversity project (under 2.1.6).
- Develop all funding mechanism and financial instrument reports and associated workshops. This includes introduction, communication and visits with relavant stakeholders. Take primary responsibility for “Angola Carbon & Biodiversity Credit Market, Roadmap to Readiness”. Contribute to other reports and recommendations
o “De-risking Investments in Nature Report”, inclusive of financial safeguards and governance issues.
o Sustainable Bond, carbon & biodiversity credit, Conservation trust fund proposals and recommendations.
- Engage International Carbon specialist to conduct project scoping (and train Carbon & Biodiversity Credit CoP members for MRV).
- Coordinate with Legal Advisor expert on white paper and financial “readiness” review; primary liaison with MINFIN and Donors associated with potential financial funding opportunities. Assist in scoping projects and activities to fund.
- Assist in the recruitment of an international expert to conduct training for ECO CoP and Carbon & Biodiversity CoP; Coordinate the creation of capacity development tools for EcoCOP and Carbon & Biodiversity CoP, and other stakeholders as relevant and conduct feasibility study for carbon and/or biodiversity project (2.1.6)
- Organise and ensure peer to peer learning for Carbon & Biodiversity credit markets, and study tours.
- Lead a trip to CC CoP for meetings on Carbon and Biodiversity credit markets.
- Accountability
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Creativity
- Judgement and decision-making
- Planning and organizing
- Professionalism
- Self-management
Skills and experience
- 3 years (with Master’s degree) or 5 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience working directly with high-level government officials/institutions/NGOs in Africa, and in policy analysis.
- Experience in advocating for coordinating, and managing complex projects, involving multiple stakeholders. At a national level, provincial and ground level with public and private sector entities.
Required Skills: The candidate should have high executive skills in Strategic planning and success in implementation: deeply organized, goal driven, able to instruct and delegate, while taking responsibility for deliverables. The candidate is required the key skills and competencies below:
- Strategic Thinking & Planning: Proven ability to align technical solutions with national policy goals and international climate/biodiversity finance frameworks.
- Financial Acumen: Understanding of financial instruments (e.g., bonds, credits, trust funds), investment-readiness, and economic modeling for conservation financing.
- Technical Writing & Reporting: Skilled in drafting strategic documents such as roadmaps, funding proposals, readiness assessments, and policy briefs, with accuracy and professionalism.
Legal and Institutional Understanding: Ability to work with legal advisors and institutions on governance, safeguards, and regulatory frameworks.
Desirable Skills:
- Project Coordination & Leadership: Strong track record of managing multi-stakeholder, multi-level projects, including coordination of consultants and partners.
- Self-motivated with an ability to work with tight deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel
- Training & Capacity Development: Experience designing and delivering workshops, training materials, and learning exchanges in sustainable finance or related sectors.
- Carbon/Biodiversity Markets Familiarity: Understanding of MRV systems, feasibility analysis, and co-benefit alignment under international carbon standards.
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
- Cultural and Political Awareness: Sensitive to local contexts, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa; able to adapt approaches to national systems and institutional landscapes.
- Communication & Diplomacy: Clear communicator with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Policy Dialogue & Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated experience engaging high-level government institutions (e.g., Ministries of Finance or Environment) and international donors.
Area(s) of expertise
Business management, Economics and finance, Energy and environment
Driving license
–
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Luanda, Angola. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.
Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers
The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.
The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents – except for UN Community Volunteers), as well as final repatriation (if applicable). You can check full entitlements at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
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More Information
- Job City Luanda, Angola
