UNEP FEB - Laos Green Finance Analyst

The consultant will serve as the in-country anchor for UNEP’s green and climate finance activities in Lao PDR, providing substantive research and analytical support, government liaison, workshop coordination, and administrative backstopping across the EFPU and UNEP FI workstreams. The Consultant will work in a UNDP Project management team of international and local professional and support staff. The Consultant is expected to exercise full compliance with UNEP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems. Specifically, the consultant will:

• Enable the development of robust, evidence-based analyses on green budgeting, environmental fiscal reform, and financial sector sustainability through data collection, research, and drafting support
• Facilitate clear communication and alignment with government counterparts by ensuring accurate translation, localisation, and presentation of technical materials in Lao and English
• Support the successful design and delivery of capacity-building workshops, ensuring relevance to the Lao context and effective participation of key stakeholders
• Ensure smooth in-country coordination and continuity of programme activities through proactive liaison, administrative support, and stakeholder management

Overall, the consultant will contribute to strengthening the policy and institutional foundations for sustainable public finance and financial sector development in Lao PDR.

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is the strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers and investors. Through its work-streams and regional activities, peer learning, methodology development, training and research, UNEP FI promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

The United Nations Joint Programme on Green and Climate Finance is a 24-month initiative implemented by UNDP, UNEP, UN-Habitat, and FAO. It aims to support the achievement of Objective 5.3.1 of the 9th NSEDP Financing Strategy. Under this joint programme, two UNEP entities share responsibility for complementary analytical and capacity-building workstreams: UNEP’s Economics and Fiscal Policy Unit (EFPU) leads Activities 2.2 and 2.5, covering the Sustainable Budgeting Approach (SBA) and Environmental Fiscal Reform (EFR). UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) leads Activity 2.4, focused on the environmental sustainability of the financial sector.

This national consultant position is jointly established and co-funded by EFPU and UNEP FI to provide in-country research, coordination, and operational support across both workstreams. The consultant will be the primary Vientiane-based presence for UNEP’s joint programme activities, ensuring continuity between international expert missions, maintaining government relationships, and contributing substantively to both the public finance and financial sector work.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: A master’s degree in environmental or climate science or management, public policy, economics, or finance is required. A bachelor’s degree could be taken in lieu of master’s degree provided the selected candidate has 5 years of relevant experience.

Professional Experience:

• At least three (3) years working experience in environmental/public policy, project management, and/or sustainable finance is required. Experience in conducting policy research, supporting the design of and/or delivering capacity building programme / trainings, and/or engaging with government agencies in Lao PDR, especially Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Bank of Lao PDR and other financial regulators, is highly desirable.
• Experience in project coordination, stakeholder liaison, or logistical support for policy or technical assistance projects, preferably in the field of public finance, environmental policy, or sustainable development is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate collaboration among international experts, government agencies, and project teams is highly desirable.

Languages

English is the working language of UNEP FI. Fluency in both English and Lao is required.

Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge: Experience in environmental policy, financial regulations, and sustainable finance policies in Lao PDR, is highly desirable. Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage complex analysis; ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organized and timely manner; attention to detail. The consultant should have the ability to establish and maintain good working relations in a multicultural and geographically dispersed team working across functions. A hands-on, pragmatic approach is desirable.