Overview
The Technical Specialist will lead and oversee the day-to-day implementation of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) in Nepal, functioning as the Project Manager. The role ensures project results are delivered in line with the approved project document, meeting quality, time, and budget standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare annual work plans and budgets for approval.
- Prepare semi-annual and annual progress reports.
- Manage procurement and recruitment of national and international service providers.
- Coordinate efforts of all partners for coherent and effective delivery.
- Prepare the final report and other documentation for operational closure.
- Develop annual work plans, budgets, and targets.
- Monitor progress against plans and propose corrective measures.
- Lead and supervise the Project, setting clear objectives and providing performance guidance.
- Oversee procurement, contracting, and recruitment processes.
- Prepare and maintain accurate accounting records.
- Ensure effective and accountable use of project resources.
- Draft Terms of Reference (TORs), technical specifications, and related documentation.
- Identify, contract, and supervise consultants, suppliers, and service providers.
- Coordinate and oversee the timely execution of project activities, consultants, and suppliers.
- Monitor the quality of technical outputs.
- Establish and maintain systems for monitoring progress, risks, and results.
- Prepare semi-annual and annual progress reports.
- Support audits and ensure timely follow-up on recommendations.
- Support government counterparts in strengthening policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks.
- Contribute to mainstreaming biodiversity finance within national planning processes.
- Facilitate the institutionalization of BIOFIN methodologies, tools, and finance solutions.
- Provide technical support for integrating biodiversity finance priorities into national plans and policies.
- Design, implement, and monitor finance solutions.
- Draft, implement, revise, and monitor the biodiversity finance plan.
- Identify, assess, prioritize, and develop biodiversity finance solutions.
- Conduct policy, institutional, financial, and market analyses.
- Assist in the design and operationalization of innovative biodiversity finance mechanisms.
- Coordinate feasibility assessments, business case development, financial modelling, stakeholder consultations, and implementation planning.
- Facilitate partnerships with government agencies, financial institutions, private sector entities, conservation organizations, and development partners.
- Support pilot implementation and scaling-up of prioritized biodiversity finance solutions.
- Monitor implementation progress and assess the effectiveness, sustainability, and impact of finance solutions.
- Serve as the central point of coordination and maintain strong working relationships with project partners.
- Liaise closely with Responsible Parties for the implementation of specific interventions.
- Facilitate the technical advisory group and ensure effective inputs are integrated into project delivery.
- Maintain regular communication with Government, national stakeholders, and partners.
- Support project visibility and communications activities.
- Act as a focal point for stakeholder feedback and local concerns.
- Promote knowledge exchange and capacity development.
- Document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices.
- Facilitate linkages with regional and international platforms.
- Coordinate the design and implementation of the project’s capacity development activities.
- Ensure that technical service providers incorporate on-the-job training and knowledge transfer components.
- Promote local ownership and sustainability.
- Coordinate documentation of lessons learned, training materials, and best practices.
- Ensure mainstreaming of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles.
- Facilitate the integration of gender-responsive and inclusive climate actions.
- Monitor Project’s progress against its GESI targets and indicators.
- Promote capacity development on GESI and climate resilience.
- Ensure that data collection and reporting are sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated.
- Identify and address potential gender and social risks.
- Support the documentation and dissemination of good practices, lessons learned, and success stories.
Required Experience
A minimum of 5 years (with a master’s degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in project implementation and management, with a focus on planning, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder and team coordination. Desired skills include experience in environmental issues or biodiversity, prior experience in managing high-value, donor-funded projects, extensive managerial experience, including experience in leading multi-cultural teams, demonstrated leadership experience in multi-stakeholder coordination, demonstrated experience with BIOFIN methodologies or similar biodiversity finance frameworks/tools, experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder platforms or technical advisory groups, budget management and oversight experience, experience with government procedures, donor compliance requirements, and project governance frameworks, prior experience with UNDP projects, and proven experience in working with government counterparts, donors, and development partners at policy/strategic level.
Qualifications
Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Environment/Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity, Economics/Finance or a closely related field, is required, Or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
