Finance for Biodiversity Specialist

General

Description of assignment title

Finance for Biodiversity Specialist

Assignment country

Brazil

Duty stations

Rio de Janeiro

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

12/01/2026

Duration

12 months (with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal

17. Partnerships for the goals

Host entity

PNUD Brasil

Modality

Onsite

Type

National

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in approximately 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequality and exclusion. The program helps countries to developing policies, leadership skills, partnership skills, institutional capacities, and to building resilience to sustainable development results.

UNDP implements several projects in different areas, offering its partners technical, operational and management assistance through access to methodologies, specialized knowledge, specialized advice and a wide international network of technical cooperation.

To contribute to human development, poverty reduction and the country's growth in priority areas, UNDP Brazil has a constant mission to align its services with the needs of a dynamic, multifaceted and diverse country. The projects are carried out in partnership with the Brazilian government, international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society.

Context

The Sustainable Environmental Development Unit (UDAS) of UNDP Brazil works in close coordination with other programme areas to strengthen the environmental portfolio through technical and political support for the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of projects addressing biodiversity, climate change, sustainable production, and the ecological transition.

Brazilian biodiversity, recognized as one of the richest on the planet, constitutes a strategic asset for the country's sustainable development. However, this natural heritage faces growing threats, with deforestation rates in biomes such as the Amazon and Cerrado reaching alarming levels (INPE, 2023), alongside ecosystem degradation and increasing pressure on natural resources. Recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, the Atlantic Forest is one of the planet's primary biodiversity hotspots, home to approximately 20,000 plant species (Flora e Funga do Brasil, 2026) and 6,400 native animal species (Salve, 2026).

Rio de Janeiro holds a unique leading role in this ecosystem, as it concentrates 59% of all cataloged flora and 53% of the fauna within the biome (Flora e Funga do Brasil, 2026; Salve, 2026). These indicators reaffirm the state's strategic role as the primary guardian of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest's biodiversity.

Recent studies further estimate that about 20% of flora species are threatened with extinction (CNCFlora, 2022), and that subsidies and incentives contributing to biodiversity loss reach significant annual amounts.

In this context, the State of Rio de Janeiro has been advancing in the structuring of the State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (EPAEB-RJ) as the main planning instrument to guide conservation, restoration, and sustainable use actions at the state level, while leading its municipalities to develop their Local Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (EPALBs). However, the effective implementation of the EPAEB-RJ requires the strengthening of its institutional, regulatory, and financial foundations to ensure the feasibility and sustainability of the proposed actions.

Project BRA/25/011 – Integrated Management of Atlantic Forest Landscapes in the State of Rio de Janeiro: Knowledge, Restoration, Bioeconomy, and Carbon Credit Generation, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by the State Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainable Development of Rio de Janeiro (SEAS-RJ), includes among its pillars the strengthening of planning, governance, and economic and financial instruments focused on biodiversity. Within this scope, the project seeks to support the consolidation of technical foundations that inform decision-making and resource mobilization for the implementation of the EPAEB-RJ.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officers of the Sustainable Environmental Development Unit and the technical coordination of the State Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainable Development of Rio de Janeiro (SEAS-RJ), the UN Volunteer Specialist will support the implementation of activities related to the BIOFIN methodology and monitoring, governance, and communication of the EPAEB-RJ implementation within the project's framework.

The selected professional will serve as a Technical and Operational Analyst in Finance for Biodiversity. The role is designed to combine technical expertise with administrative and management support, ensuring both the strategic design and the operational feasibility of financial solutions.

The analyst will focus on supporting the design, structuring, evaluation, and implementation of financial and strategic solutions related, but not limited, to: (i) green, sustainable, and other thematic bonds; (ii) frameworks for managing risks and impacts on nature; (iii) tariffs, payment for environmental services (PES) schemes, and concessions; (iv) impact investment funds and blended finance mechanisms; (v) debt and equity instruments and capital market mechanisms; (vi) innovative financing mechanisms for public policies and biodiversity conservation programs.

The professional is expected to provide technical knowledge to ensure horizontal integration and coherence between the different work fronts of BIOFIN Brazil and the cross-cutting demands of EPAEB-RJ implementation, as well as support quality assurance of technical products, processes, and deliverables. Furthermore, the professional will provide comprehensive technical coordination and administrative support for strategic activities to ensure the full operationalization of the EPAEB-RJ, which includes: (i) drafting terms of reference and producing/evaluating technical products under the Integrated Landscape Management Project (Projeto Gestão Integrada das Paisagens); (ii) preparing and supervising project reports; (iii) supporting contract management and procurement processes; and (iv) providing technical and administrative support to meet the institutional demands of the Superintendency of Ecosystem Management (SUPGECOS).

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Technical Advisory in Biodiversity Finance and Public Policy (Approx. 30%)
   • Provide technical advice to project coordination on topics related to finance and biodiversity finance at national and subnational levels.
   • Support the implementation and adaptation of the BIOFIN methodology, including technical analysis of priorities, bottlenecks, and opportunities for biodiversity financing solutions.
   • Contribute to the analysis of financial, fiscal, regulatory, and institutional instruments relevant to biodiversity-related public policies.
   • Technically coordinate with government bodies, development partners, and strategic stakeholders, contributing to coordination and decision-making processes.
   • Support the design and technical qualification of instruments linked to public policy implementation, including PES, concessions, credit, environmental funds, and other financing mechanisms.
2. Strategic Coordination and Technical Quality Assurance (Approx. 30%)
   • Support project coordination in executing the technical strategy and ensuring horizontal integration across different work fronts.
   • Update and consolidate technical factsheets for the financial solutions prioritized by BIOFIN.
   • Review and ensure technical quality, methodological robustness, and analytical consistency of products, including the PIR, BER, FNA, and BFP, as well as coherence across deliverables.
   • Support consultant supervision hired under the project for BIOFIN analytical studies related to EPAEB-RJ, including reviewing methodologies, work plans, databases, and stakeholder engagement processes.
   • Contribute to the analysis of institutional and policy frameworks, biodiversity-related expenditures, financing needs, and the prioritization of financial solutions, ensuring alignment with BIOFIN standards and the state context.
   • Ensure alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the integration of human rights and gender equality approaches promoted by the UN.
3. Knowledge Production and Project Operational Support (Approx. 40%)
   • Prepare and review Terms of Reference (ToR) and other technical documents, and supervise the work of specialists, consultants, and designated counterparts.
   • Provide technical advisory in supervising and evaluating deliverables from monitoring, communication, and social mobilization consultants for the EPAEB-RJ.
   • Support contract management processes, including tracking technical deliverables, monitoring execution deadlines, and facilitating operational communication with contracted service providers.
   • Support the planning, review, and follow-up of work plans, ensuring administrative coherence, timely execution of activities, and alignment with governance arrangements.
   • Draft, review, and format progress reports, management presentations, technical notes, and other institutional inputs in Portuguese and English to support project monitoring and audits.
   • Coordinate monitoring, systematization, and knowledge management initiatives, including providing both technical inputs and logistical support for meetings, workshops, technical missions, and national/international forums.
   • Provide versatile technical and administrative support for cross-cutting demands, operational procurement steps, and emerging activities related to the management and implementation of the EPAEB-RJ.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

Portuguese, Level: Fluent, Required

English, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level

Master's degree in Economics, Environmental Economics, Environmental Sciences, Administration, Finance, Forestry Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Public Policy.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Skills and experience

• Three (3) years of professional experience in economics, sustainable finance, economic and financial analysis, and implementation of public policies for biodiversity.
• Proven experience in public finance and expenditure analysis, including budget reviews, expenditure tagging, financial flow analysis, environmental funds, fiscal instruments, and/or financing mechanisms related to biodiversity, climate, or environmental policies.
• Experience in initiatives related to biodiversity, conservation, restoration, or bioeconomy in the Atlantic Forest biome and/or the State of Rio de Janeiro, including familiarity with state public policies, institutional arrangements, environmental governance, and financing instruments.
• Experience in analyzing and addressing environmental and biodiversity risks, impacts, and dependencies associated with public and/or private investments.
• Previous experience working with governments and/or multilateral/bilateral development institutions (e.g., ministries, public banks, multilateral banks, UN agencies), including support or advisory for policy formulation and regulatory framework.
• Experience in technical supervision of consultancies, multidisciplinary teams, or complex analytical deliverables.
• Solid analytical and writing skills, including the ability to produce high-quality technical documents in both Portuguese and English.

Desirable experience:

• Experience in developing, structuring, evaluating, and/or implementing financial instruments (e.g., thematic bonds, investment funds, special purpose vehicles, blended finance mechanisms, guarantees, credit and/or equity instruments), preferably in areas related to land-use change, ecosystem services, climate, and/or biodiversity conservation.
• Experience in public finance, including analysis/planning of public budgets, public funds, fiscal transfer mechanisms, or environmental funds.
• Advanced knowledge of the Brazilian National Financial System, including the roles of the Central Bank of Brazil, CVM, CMN, National Treasury, BNDES, and regulatory frameworks for sustainable finance.
• Experience in development project management, including planning, results monitoring, and drafting Theories of Change and/or Logical Frameworks.
• Experience in implementing policies for conservation, sustainable use, and benefit-sharing of biodiversity, including communication, governance, and monitoring strategies.

Area(s) of expertise

Economics, poverty reduction, livelihoods, Finance, accounting, Logistics, procurement, commodities

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Rio de Janeiro is a major city with modern infrastructure, good healthcare facilities, and international connections. The city offers a range of housing and services; usual urban safety precautions apply.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. Brazil is security level 3 (moderate).

United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to high levels of serious and violent crime, particularly in major cities. Violent crime as muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings, and sexual assault, is very high. Avoid shanty towns (favelas) in the big cities and if you are attacked or robbed, do not resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and may turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment in Brazil. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reservations, special procedures may apply; UN personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance.

Information on entitlements at the duty station is available at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.

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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