Background

The Blue & Green Islands Integrated Programme (BGI IP) is a transformative and comprehensive initiative designed to address pressing environmental challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). These Countries, due to their small size, remote locations, and reliance on limited resources, are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts and other shocks. The programme will leverage significant innovation emerging from SIDS to turn their most pressing challenges into opportunities for prosperity, enabling them to build forward better, greener and bluer.

The overall objective of the BGI IP’s Global Coordination Project (GCP) is to enhance collaboration, capacity and partnerships among 15 BGI IP country projects in valuing nature, scaling up of nature-based solutions in the food, tourism, and urban sectors, and securing public and private finance to facilitate nature-positive development and reduce ecosystem degradation in SIDS. This will be achieved by demonstrating the transformational potential of incorporating the value of nature into decision-making and using innovative nature-based solutions to achieve development and MEA goals and address SIDS challenges related to food security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and reduction of hazardous chemical pollution.

A Global Programme Coordination Unit (GPCU) has been established by the GCP for the overall BGI IP. The GPCU is responsible for the overarching management and coherence of the BGI-IP through workstreams including day-to-day programmatic coordination of the Policy and Practice Facility, Knowledge Management and Learning Cluster, and Nature Based Solutions Accelerator, capacity development, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, adaptive management, technical coherence and advice, compliance, knowledge management, cross-project collaboration and networking, and facilitation of joint learning, solutions sharing, and upscaling efforts. The GPCU works to optimize strategic engagement with key multi-stakeholder bodies and platforms for policy coherence and change at global, regional, and national levels. This is done through collective action and a clear agenda established in collaboration with the IP’s country and institutional partners, to assure a seat at the table on policy and related discussions relevant to SIDS and the IP context.

The GPCU is responsible for programme level support to the Country Projects and for receiving and collating information on the state of the Programme for the PSC, and for organizing the annual meeting of the GCP and all the 15 Country Projects, as well as quarterly meetings of the BGI IP PSC, and for collating and disseminating all programme M&E results. Effective participation from key BGI IP countries will be ensured through Regional Nodes and Thematic Working Groups, where country project managers come together to exchange best practices and learning around themes such as evidence-based nature-based solutions, public and private sector engagement and finance, monitoring and evaluation, safeguards, gender, etc.

The SIDS Coalition for Nature (SCN) was launched at the 15th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in 2022. The Coalition aims to catalyze SIDS strategic partnerships and advocate as ‘one’ for SIDS priorities. Through the Coordinator, BGI will work with the Coalition to elevate SIDS leadership, strengthen regional and global policy alignment, mobilize partnerships, and scale integrated solutions emerging from the BGI-IP. The Coordinator will lead, operationalize, and manage the Coalition’s activities in close coordination with the Coalition and AOSIS, governments, and regional bodies including SPREP, CARICOM, and IOC.

Scope of Work

The SIDS Coalition for Nature Coordinator will be responsible for leading and coordinating the development, functioning, and strategic engagement of the SIDS Coalition for Nature. S/he will facilitate strengthened regional and global collaboration among SIDS, support the upscaling of country project results and ensure coherent representation of SIDS priorities in relevant multilateral processes and policy platforms, and ensure effective coordination with and integration of Nature and the BGI mission into the wider SIDS Agenda. The Coordinator will engage with the leadership and members of the SIDS Coalition for Nature, AOSIS, SIDS governments, regional bodies, and global partners to advance nature-positive development efforts across SIDS.

The role of the SIDS Coalition Coordinator is strictly technical, coordination-focused, and facilitative in nature. The incumbent does not represent SIDS Member States, AOSIS, or any intergovernmental body in political or negotiation processes. All political positions, joint statements, and advocacy stances remain the prerogative of SIDS governments and AOSIS. The Coordinator supports these processes by providing technical inputs, organizing consultations, synthesizing information, and facilitating communication among stakeholders, ensuring that all outputs are reviewed and approved by the appropriate SIDS authorities prior to external use. Specific duties include:

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities supporting the wider mandate of the SIDS Coalition for Nature

• Coordinate implementation, monitoring, and follow-up of the Coalition’s work programme, including the annual update of a SIDS Nature-positive Development Roadmap, ensuring coherence with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), 2018-2030 UNCCD Framework, Paris Agreement, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), and other relevant UN processes.
• Support partnership development, proposal drafting, and resource mobilization, engaging development partners, multilateral funds, and philanthropic initiatives to advance SIDS-led nature action.
• Lead coordination, operationalization, and strategic development of the SIDS Coalition for Nature as a global partnership platform.
• Serve as the primary liaison of the SIDS Coalition for Nature with AOSIS, SIDS governments, regional organizations (SPREP, CARICOM, IOC), and UN agencies, facilitating communication and ensuring timely information-sharing and coordinated action.
• Coordinate global/regional policy engagement to elevate SIDS priorities on Nature, climate, resilience, financing and sustainable development.
• Support SIDS-led advocacy in key multilateral processes (CBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC, UN Ocean Conference, SIDs relevant meetings etc.).
• Prepare analytical briefs, progress reports, position papers and policy inputs to inform intergovernmental negotiations, high-level dialogues, and advocacy regarding interconnected SIDS priorities in biodiversity and sustainable development fora on Nature, climate, resilience, financing and sustainable development.
• Ensure effective coordination with and integration of Nature and BGI into the global and regional SIDS Agenda.
• Strengthen partnerships with coalitions such as the High Ambition Coalition, Global Ocean Alliance, Ocean Panel, UNCCD-related SIDS collective action and relevant UN Decades and Initiatives.
• Organize regional/global dialogues, ministerial briefings, and technical working sessions for Coalition priorities.
• Provide technical and logistical support for planning and delivering Coalition meetings, activities, and capacity-building initiatives at national, regional, and global levels.
• Support SIDS champions in advancing integrated policy frameworks that embed NbS and nature-positive development.

Responsibilities supporting BGI-IP integration and contributions

These duties will ensure that the Coalition benefits from BGI data, lessons, partnerships, knowledge, and lessons for potential replication and scaling. Working in close coordination with the BGI Global Coordination Unit, the Coordinator will:

• Develop a multi-year Coalition Work Plan and detailed annual work plan in alignment with the BGI’s regional and global workstreams.
• Facilitate upscaling of BGI Child Project results through regional and global platforms, promoting south–south collaboration.
• Support structured SIDS–SIDS (South–South) cooperation by organizing exchanges, dialogues, and collaborative learning initiatives, in coordination with the BGI GCP and its regional partners.
• Enhance SIDS Coalition for Nature and AOSIS integration to strengthen Nature within the AOSIS agenda and leverage the AOSIS space and platform to leverage Nature and BGI.
• Represent the SIDS Coalition and BGI in global policy fora, technical panels, and donor partnership discussions.
• Engage with global SIDS knowledge networks to share BGI knowledge and lessons.
• Ensure gender equality and social inclusion considerations are embedded in all SIDS Coalition for Nature activities.
• Facilitate rapid sharing of lessons, models, and analytics across SIDS regions, in coordination with the BGI GCP and its regional partners.
• Produce and submit quarterly narrative reports to the BGI Global Programme Coordination Unit summarizing activities, results, and emerging priorities.

Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition

• Partnership Management Coalition Building Ability to build, maintain, and mobilize multi-country coalitions and strategic alliances
• Public Policy Policy Advocacy Ability to influence policy positions, draft statements, and support intergovernmental negotiation.
• Nature, Climate & Energy SIDS Technical Expertise Understanding of SIDS development challenges, nature-positive strategies, and NbS policy frameworks.
• Business Development Resource Mobilization Ability to identify and engage donors to attract financing for SIDS collective actions.
• Knowledge Generation Knowledge Synthesis Ability to capture, package and disseminate lessons, evidence, and analytics for policy uptake.
• Communications Strategic Positioning Ability to craft clear messaging, talking points, and briefs for high-level SIDS advocacy.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in international relations, public policy, environmental policy, development studies, economics or related fields.

A Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of experience may be accepted.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years (with Master’s) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s) of progressively responsible experience in international policy coordination, SIDS/global negotiations, coalition management, environmental diplomacy, or nature/climate governance.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience working with SIDS governments, AOSIS, regional organizations, or multilateral platforms/organizations.
• Experience coordinating coalitions, networks, or multi-country initiatives.
• Strong understanding of nature, climate, blue/green economy, and SIDS-related policy frameworks.
• Experience drafting policy briefs, joint communiqués, and technical advisories.
• Experience coordinating high-level events, dialogues, or multilateral negotiation spaces.
• Excellent communication, strategic advisory, and diplomacy skills.

Desired Skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Experience working with SIDS regional bodies (CARICOM, SPREP, IOC, others), global bodies (AOSIS, others), or UN Agencies (UNDP, UNDESA, others).
• Experience in intergovernmental negotiating processes (UNFCCC, CBD, UNGA, SIDS conferences).
• Knowledge of SIDS financing mechanisms and global environmental funds.
• Working knowledge of French or Spanish is an advantage.

Institutional Arrangement

The SIDS Coalition Coordinator will report administratively to the BGI Global Coordinator given the use of BGI funding to support this position. However, the Coordinator will closely collaborate and coordinate with the SCN Leadership who will set strategic and programmatic priorities for the position. The SCN co-Chairs, BGI Global Coordinator, the UNDESA SIDS Unit Chief and the Coalition Coordinator will periodically meet to align BGI and UNDESA support with Coalition priorities.

In addition, the position will work closely with SCN & AOSIS country representatives and focal points, regional and other partners. S/he will also maintain collaboration with BGI GEF Agencies and other partners relevant to global SIDS coordination processes and BGI implementation.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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