Technical Associate in Environmental Economics Vacancy-Job Ref: BJGTWFP/1905/2025802

Technical Associate in Environmental Economics Vacancy-Job Ref: BJGTWFP/1905/2025802

Guatemala City (Guatemala)

JOB DESCRIPTION
Office/Unit/Project Description

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Guatemala, through its Energy and Environment Department, has been supporting the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its associated pre- and post-2020 targets aimed at biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and equitable benefit sharing. This implementation has been achieved through the implementation of actions that strengthen the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

In support of CBD implementation, UNDP is leading the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) as a new global partnership to address the challenges of biodiversity financing worldwide in a comprehensive and systematic manner at the country level by designing and implementing financial solutions. At the same time, UNDP is part of the Action Partnership for the Green Economy (PAGE), Climate Promise, and other initiatives related to economic development processes at the national and local levels, both institutional and productive, considering biodiversity management as a key pillar for sustainable development and reducing the effects of climate change.

The approach to financial solutions and the green economy is holistic and conceptually framed within the theoretical framework of environmental economics. This allows it to connect with the effects of biodiversity loss and the impacts of climate change, as well as establish a relationship with the development of strategies or the formulation of projects geared toward financing for sustainable development.

The first is related to the scales of approach of the approach, starting with a review of policies, institutions, and expenditures related to biological diversity and climate change. The second is oriented toward calculating the costs of implementing biodiversity strategies, national action plans, and climate change action plans, including an assessment of financing gaps. Finally, the third involves developing a resource mobilization plan to contribute to reducing financing gaps.

To facilitate the implementation of financial solutions and the promotion of a green economy aimed at strengthening the integrated management of the country’s biological and climate diversity, UNDP has promoted strategic partnerships with the private sector, government agencies, local governments, civil society organizations, and UNDP Country Office projects. Key UNDP partners in this area are the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), the Ministry of Public Finance (MINFIN), and the Secretariat of Planning and Programming of the Presidency (SEGEPLAN).

In this context, the Technical Associate in Environmental Economics, under the direction of the Green Finance Analyst and in close coordination with the Program Officer, will be responsible for supporting the strengthening of national efforts to consolidate strategic alliances and mainstream an economic-financial approach to support the design and implementation of financial mechanisms that generate financing mobilization for conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity, and climate change.

The Technical Associate in Environmental Economics, under the direction of the Green Finance Analyst and under the leadership of the Officer, will support the Climate Change and Environment Analyst in mainstreaming this approach into strategic priorities, as appropriate. Likewise, they will adhere to UNDP policies and procedures on the project cycle ( https://popp.undp.org/programme-and-project-management ) and the rest of the corporate policies and procedures (POPP). As well as ensuring a technical positioning of the visibility of the importance of environmental economics within the Energy and Environment Portfolio.

Scope of work

Support the development of the Work Plan, which should describe in detail the human resources guidelines and technical aspects defined by the green finance analyst and the country office program officer.
Assist in the development and implementation of a strategy for developing economic instruments for environmental management that enables the mobilization of green financing and/or the implementation of economic instruments.

Support the design and assist in the implementation of economic instruments to increase public funding for biodiversity and climate change, under the leadership of thematic analysts, as appropriate.
Support the management of financial solutions to ensure the quality and timely preparation of all reports and documentation for each process.
Gather information to support the development of economic analyses for financial mechanisms for biodiversity and climate change management.

Support monitoring the institutionalization of the financial solutions approach, as well as support the generation of the corresponding semi-annual reports applicable for analyst review, which must be endorsed by the aforementioned analyst.
Provide strategic methodological guidance on topics related to financial or fiscal mechanisms related to biodiversity, climate change and the environment, results-based management, and public planning to consultants developing work on finance and environmental economics. We also support Guatemalan government agencies involved in the process to ensure the institutionalization of a harmonized approach to data collection, analysis, and implementation of financial solutions. This entails, at a minimum: a) review of proposed methodologies and progress reports by specialists; b) support for the coordination, organization, and support of meetings and consultations (when required), among other aspects, under the leadership and coordination of thematic analysts in the field.

Support the promotion and facilitation of strategic alliances to enhance the results of projects or initiatives in support of economic and environmental processes.
Contribute to the definition, together with the Green Finance Analyst and in coordination, as appropriate, with the Climate Change and Environment Analyst, of concept notes/project ideas, operational strategies and resource needs for the effective design of projects and/or financial solutions for reducing biodiversity and climate change gaps for approval by the Program Officer
Provide methodological guidance to the Guatemalan government, in coordination with thematic analysts, as appropriate, to ensure the identification of financial solutions and financing, and to identify synergies with potential partners in project implementation.

Ensure that the provision of technical assistance and methodological guidance in the costing and gap identification process for climate change policies (e.g., Nationally Determined Contributions -NDCs- and the National Climate Change Action Plan -NACP) and biodiversity (e.g., National Biodiversity Strategies) and others that are required within the energy and environment portfolio, are coherent to facilitate their design, review, or implementation.

Support thematic analysts in formulating recommendations and providing methodological guidance for the development of economic analyses related at least to mitigation and adaptation measures for their evaluation, prioritization, and integration into NDCs, the development of the NDC investment plan, the strengthening of the National Climate Change Fund (FONCC), and other area requirements.
Support thematic analysts in developing terms of reference for necessary processes related to environmental economics in compliance with UNDP standards and procedures and in contractual monitoring.

Support the monitoring of the work of consultants or service providers for projects and initiatives related to environmental economic issues to ensure the quality of documentation. Note: The products delivered by consultants or entities must be substantively analyzed to ensure feedback that meets the desired technical quality of both UNDP and the government counterpart. The corresponding analyst will provide final review and approval.
Attend, upon request and in coordination with the Program Officer, meetings and discussion panels, as well as gather information to prepare poster/paper presentations, and any other information exchanges that may be required.
Ensure proper documentation (participant list broken down by gender and summary of key notes/agreements/next steps, etc.) for all work meetings and other files, which should be stored in the corresponding Teams folder. This should be coordinated with the Green Finance Analyst and the area’s financial management team.

Support the coordination and production of communication materials on environmental management economic instruments with the endorsement of the Green Finance Analyst and Program Officer.
The incumbent performs other duties within his or her functional profile that are deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the area.

Institutional Agreement

The position will report to the Green Finance Analyst in the area coordinated by the Energy and Environment Program Officer.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieving Results:
Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work within established limits.
Innovative Thinking:
Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, solves problems pragmatically, makes improvements.
Continuous Learning:
Level 1: Open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
Adapt with agility:
Level 1: Adapts to change, handles ambiguity/uncertainty constructively, is flexible.
Act with determination:
Level 1: Shows determination and commitment, able to respond calmly to adversity, confident.
Commitment and partnership:
Level 1: Shows compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
Promotes diversity and inclusion:
Level 1: Appreciates/respects differences, recognizes unconscious biases, confronts discrimination
Technical and Multifunctional Competencies

Thematic Area
Name
Definition
Business development
Knowledge generation
Ability to research information and transform it into useful knowledge relevant to the context or responding to a given need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations and develop new ones to generate viable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
Business development
Knowledge facilitation
Ability to motivate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, sharing and exchanging knowledge, information, and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
Business Management
Communication
Communicate clearly, concisely, and unambiguously, both in writing and verbally; tailor messages and select communication methods based on the audience. Ability to manage internal and external communications through the media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
Business Management
Working with evidence and data
Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform, and model data to uncover useful information, base conclusions, and support decision-making.
Alliance Management
Relationship Management
Ability to interact with counterparts, both in the sector

public and private, build, maintain and/or strengthen

working relationships, trust and understanding

mutual.
Strategic Management and Direction
Strategic Thinking
Ability to use objective analysis and judgment of problems to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how alteration of one element may impact other parts of the system.
Minimum Qualifications of an NPSA

Minimum Academic Requirements
Secondary Education Diploma (Diversified Level) is required.
University studies (Bachelor’s or Engineering level) in Environmental Sciences, Economics, Agronomy, Biology or another relevant field will be considered favorably, but is not a requirement.
Minimum years of relevant work experience
Minimum seven (7) years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with University Degree) of experience in environmental finance issues, design or implementation of financial and/or economic solutions.

Required skills and competencies
Ability to analyze and rationalize ideas and proposals for mapping financial solutions.
Analyzes and interprets regulations and standards, proposing solutions to substantive and operational issues.
Ensures efficiency in the delivery of quality services.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in a clear, assertive, concise, and timely manner.
Skilled in the use of computer technology and the Internet, mastery of  Word, Excelly PowerPoint.
Promotes collaboration, customer focus, quality, and results-orientation. Ability to work under pressure, creatively, flexibly, and proactively, finding quick and effective solutions to unforeseen problems.
Leadership and teamwork skills.
May supervise technical support staff.
Has high values ​​in ethics and integrity, respect for the
diversity.

Experience in climate finance planning or processes associated with economics and the environment with a focus on conservation and sustainable uses is required.
Experience in the analysis and design of economic instruments for climate finance and/or environmental, natural resource, or biological diversity management is required.

Desirable skills and competencies
Knowledge of UNDP policies, regulations and procedures desirable.
Knowledge of the political, institutional, economic, environmental, and social context of Guatemala.
Experience facilitating workshops with national, local, or other stakeholders. Ability to support agreements and consensus-building, synthesize points of view, and implement actions is preferred.
Language(s) required at work level

Indicate level: basic, intermediate, advanced.
Fluency in Spanish is a requirement.
Basic level in English is a requirement.

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