Overview
The Public Finance Specialist will serve as the lead technical advisor on public financial management (PFM) within the Public Finance portfolio, guiding the design, implementation, and monitoring of PFM-related efforts at country level.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and technical leadership in the implementation of country-level PFM-related reforms, including public expenditure reviews, SDG budgeting, budget tagging/coding, participatory and transparent budgeting processes, and inclusive budget oversight.
- Oversee policy advice to Ministries of Finance, Ministries of Planning, sector ministries, and oversight institutions.
- Support the Head of Public Finance for SDGs in strengthening linkages between PFM work and other SFH portfolios.
- Engage in country-level implementation of PFM reforms and their linkages across the P4SDG portfolio and broader SFH portfolios.
- Lead/guide research and analytical work required to guide the identification of PFM reforms.
- Facilitate dialogue and coalition building with relevant country-level stakeholders.
- Develop new and/or refined frameworks, methodologies, guidance, and tools to facilitate the identification and implementation of PFM reforms.
- Conduct horizon scanning and original research and analysis on topics related to PFM.
- Lead the production of policy papers, case studies, and other knowledge products related to public expenditure and SDG budgeting.
- Support UNDP and SFH thought leadership and contribute to flagship publications, policy briefs, working papers, and other knowledge products on topics related to PFM.
- Contribute to global discussions on PFM.
- Ensure systematic documentation of lessons learned, innovations, results, and impact from PFM interventions.
- Support the management of communities of practice.
- Support the design of training materials, e-learning modules, and capacity-building resources, and deliver related trainings.
- Facilitate South-South and triangular cooperation.
- Represent UNDP’s PFM support in international conferences, expert meetings, technical workshops, and policy dialogues.
- Support senior leadership in participating in relevant global fora and processes.
- Cultivate partnerships with International Financial Institutions (IFIs), UN entities, bilateral donors, technical networks, civil society organizations (CSOs), and research institutions.
- Provide technical inputs to resource-mobilization efforts.
- Contribute to the development of communications products.
- Contribute to results-based management for the PF4SDGs portfolio and broader SFH portfolios.
- Prepare technical inputs on PFM results for donor reports, internal reviews, and portfolio-level analyses.
- Support recruitment and roster development for public finance expertise, as well as leading/supporting PF4SDGs recruitment and procurement processes.
- Perform additional tasks required to advance the PF4SDGs portfolio and broader SFH portfolios and respond to evolving organizational priorities.
Required Experience
Minimum of seven (7) years (with master’s degree) or nine (9) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience providing policy advice in the area of PFM, with at least three (3) years at international level is required. Demonstrated experience and sound knowledge of issues and trends in the area of sustainable finance for development, including effectively managing public finance for the SDGs is required. Demonstrated experience providing policy advice and technical assistance to Ministries of Finance and other government institutions in developing countries on PFM for development outcomes is required. Experience in leading consultations with senior government officials and diverse development partners, as well as facilitating dialogue and building reform coalitions among a wide group of stakeholders on PFM is desired. Proven track record of designing and implementing development programmes/projects in developing country contexts, including collaborating with IFIs on country-level public finance reform agendas is desired. Experience in writing research/analytical reports and policy papers is desired. Work experience with the UN, other multilateral organisations and/or IFIs/DFIs is an advantage. Work experience in resource mobilization, donor relations, or partnership development is an advantage.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Social Policy, Public Policy, Politics, Economics, Development Studies, or a related area 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.
