Global Technical Specialist, Coral Reef Ecosystems & Finance (Home Based) [Open for Tiers 0, 1 and 2]

Tier Decription

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026

Tier 1: Other UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)

Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers

Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates”

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in UNDP’s Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provide technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private, government and civil society dialogues, and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

UNDP’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan highlights our continued support countries’ progress towards high human development, while protecting the planet. Four strategic objectives – prosperity for all, effective gov- ernance, crisis resilience and healthy planet – define its strategic direction, powered by three accelerators: digital and AI transformation; gender equality; and sustainable finance. All are underpinned by a commitment to human rights and to leaving no one behind. The Strategic Plan sharpens the focus on what UNDP does best: supporting systemic change, through integrated development solutions driven by national priorities.

No sustainable development is possible without a healthy planet. UNDP is a leading connector at the nexus of plan- et and development, delivering integrated solutions to the challenges of climate change, disasters, biodiversity loss, energy, chemicals and waste, while advancing development priorities on governance, prosperity and resilience. UNDP aims to translate global commitments - under the Paris Agreement, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Montreal Protocol and other international agreements - into effective local action. We support countries to assess their options for achieving just and sustainable transitions and harness new ideas to tackle the financing challenge.

The Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) is a unique blended finance vehicle dedicated to coral reefs globally. Hosting both a Grant Fund and an Investment Fund, the GFCR is designed to scale financial solutions and blue economic transition that bolsters the resilience of coral reefs and the communities that depend on them. In more than 20 coral nations, GFCR focuses on incubating and scaling financial interventions and enterprises that address local drivers of coral reef degradation, unlock conservation funding flows, and increase communities’ adaptive capacities. Supported solutions include waste treatment and recycling facilities, coral reef insurance, sustainable aquaculture and agriculture, ecotourism enterprises, blue carbon credits, and sustainably financed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

The GFCR Coalition is a public-private partnership driven by Member States, UN Agencies, financial institutions, philanthropies, impact investors and organisations. The GFCR Coalition includes more than 20 coral nations, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation; Prince Albert II Monaco Foundation; Minderoo Foundation; the Governments of Germany, France, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom; the Green Climate Fund; Pegasus Capital Advisors; Builders Vision; Bloomberg Philanthropies; the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF); the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) and the Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP).

Through the Fund, capital will be leveraged to help developing countries mobilize the resources they need to meet their coral reef commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The Fund will support business models that can sustainably finance key conservation and development goals for coral reefs via two initiative windows. Technical assistance, capacity development, monitoring, and evaluation are provided via the grant window using grants and concessional finance, while the investment window generates de-risked investment capital to maximize the impact of projects supported by the grant window.

UNDP is a founding partner of the GFCR. Drawing on relevant knowledge and resources from within UNDP – and working with a range of third-party delivery partners – the UNDP team is responsible for delivering a comprehensive set of activities and outcomes in support of the continued implementation of GFCR’s strategy and mission, including production and adaptive management of the GFCR investment strategy and plan, strategic finance and knowledge partnerships, knowledge management, and development and monitoring of GFCR policies, reporting, standards, and guidance. In addition, the team is responsible for providing technical advice and oversight for UNDP GFCR programmes in Fiji, Maldives, Papua New Guinea, Jordan and Egypt, with other programmes in the pipeline.

The Technical Specialist for Coral Reef Ecosystems & Finance works under the overall supervision of the UNDP Senior Technical Specialist for Ocean Finance & SIDS, who directs UNDP’s engagement with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs.

Scope of Work

The Technical Specialist (TS) for Coral Reef Ecosystems & Finance is primarily responsible for providing technical, policy, and programming implementation support across UNDP’s global GFCR project and wider GFCR portfolio, and delivering related knowledge, capacity development and solution sharing services. The TS will support UNDP’s engagement with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, including management of UNDP’s GFCR global project and programme portfolio, the development and implementation of the REEF+ Knowledge Management and Learning programme (including a GFCR platform hosted by UNDP) and related fundraising. The TS is expected to support and oversee UNDP´s work with key partners in the coral reefs arena including UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGOs, donors (bilateral, IFI, foundations), the private sector and other stakeholders. Overall, the TS will support the UN Global team managing the GFCR with the implementation and achievement of the GFCR Strategic Plan.

Innovation, Strategic Leadership, Policy Dialogue and Advocacy

• Contributing to a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions and processes related to UNDP’s coral reefs and biodiversity finance portfolio, including establishing contact and developing partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGOs, the private sector, financial institutions, scientific institutions, etc.
• Providing policy development support and guidance to country offices and governments, especially in coral nations
• Supporting the development of strategic UNDP policy position papers and internal briefing notes relevant to SIDS, coral nations and innovative finance
• Facilitating policy analysis and the development of technical tools and guidance
• Maintaining trusted relationships with country offices, government and non-governmental partners in coral nations
• Regularly updating senior management on trends and issues related to coral reef finance and related topics
• Briefing the UNDP GFCR Executive Board member in advance of each board meetings, including the preparation of materials, and providing ad hoc briefings where necessary.
• Participating in and presenting during GFCR Executive Board meetings and Technical Working Groups.

Portfolio Management

• Managing the day-to-day delivery of all aspects of the UNDP GFCR global project with supervision of the Programme Associate, Knowledge Management and Learning Analyst, and related contractors
• Providing technical advice to UNDP-led GFCR programmes under development and implementation, in coordination with the Senior Programme Specialist.
• Advising the GFCR Secretariat on the implementation of GFCR policies across the Fund’s portfolio of programmes and interventions.
• Advising country offices, governments and other constituencies on issues related to the conservation and management of coral reef ecosystems; the establishment, effective management, and sustainable financing of Marine Protected Areas; blended and innovative financing approaches and private sector engagement for scaled up solutions; and integrated coastal management, particularly in coral nations.
• Assisting in the maintenance of the Planet Hub’s information and corporate information systems in relation to UNDP’s coral reefs portfolio.
• Facilitating the identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support, including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification, and evaluation of experts, and reviewing reports.

Resource Mobilization and Portfolio Development

• Proactively contributing to strengthening donor relationships and raising funds for UNDP’s coral reefs portfolio, including grant funding as well as, via partnerships, private equity, and debt financing for bankable investment opportunities.
• Representing UNDP and GFCR in relevant events and facilitating UNDP senior management engagement in key events.
• Supporting programme and project identification and development, including integrated approaches and multifocal area projects.
• Facilitating the process of preparation, design, submission, and approval of programme/project concepts and full-fledged proposals for financing.
• Providing guidance and support in the identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support, including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification, and evaluation of experts, and reviewing reports.
• Facilitating liaisons with potential financing agencies and institutions.

Development Impact

• Leading the overall implementation and demand-led updates of the GFCR REEF+ platform and programme of work including the development of capacity development and exchange programmes, maintenance of communities of practice, and the curation of partner/solutions profiles.
• Support the Senior Programme Specialist to advance the global GFCR partnership with the UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN).
• Support the Senior Programme Specialist to advance the development of a global GFCR GEF partnership including the integration of GFCR into the GEF8 Blue & Green Islands Integrated Programme as well as the development of a standalone GEF project to support GFCR access to SIDS and LDCs.
• Preparing reports and communications pieces effectively showcasing socio-economic development benefits of UNDP and GFCR programmes as well as environment results.

Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development

• Evaluating, capturing, codifying and synthesizing lessons, and stimulating the up