Regional Public Finance for SDGs Specialist - [Open to Tiers 0, 1 and 2]

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

Accounting & Finance · Full-time

Panama City, Panama

Posted on Oct 24, 2026
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Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. UNDP helps countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnerships and institutional capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As outlined in the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026-2029, UNDP’s work is guided by four strategic objectives that together define the organization’s contribution to human development: expanding prosperity for all, strengthening effective governance, safeguarding a healthy planet and building crisis resilience. These objectives are enabled by three accelerators that drive transformative impact across the portfolio: digital and AI innovation, gender equality and sustainable finance. Through this integrated approach, UNDP supports countries to deliver tangible improvements in people’s lives and to advance sustainable development at scale.

In alignment with the UNDP Strategic Plan, the Regional Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) 2026-2029 outlines UNDP strategic offers and priorities for the next four years in the LAC region and identifies sustainable finance as a key accelerator. At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), UNDP also launched the LAC Facility for Financing Resilient Human Development (LAC Facility), which is a multi-stakeholder platform focused on enhancing the region’s capacity to mobilize public and private investments. The LAC Facility will be an essential mechanism to support the roll-out of the Regional Programme 2026-2029 in LAC.

UNDP, through its Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH) (https://sdgfinance.undp.org/), supports partners in promoting financing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As an accelerator of the UNDP Strategic Plan, sustainable finance strengthens countries’ ability to mobilize, align and deploy finance at scale for national priorities. UNDP supports international and country level policy reform as a catalyst for system-wide change, stronger policy environments, better-functioning markets and more coherent financing strategies for sustainable development. SFH work is delivered through three interconnected portfolios: 1) Public Finance for the SDGs; 2) Private Finance for the SDGs; and 3) Global & Country Financing Policy Frameworks.

SFH Public Finance for SDGs (PF4SDGs) portfolio supports governments to strengthen public finance systems for sustainable development. Operating across 99+ countries with a portfolio exceeding $200 million, the portfolio provides integrated technical assistance across four core pillars: 1) Tax/Domestic Resource Mobilization, 2) Public Expenditure Efficiency and Effectiveness, 3) Fiscal Policy Coherence, and 4) Digital Fiscal Governance. The portfolio works with Ministries of Finance, Planning, and line ministries to align fiscal policies, tax systems, debt strategies and public expenditure with national development priorities and the 2030 Agenda. UNDP’s comparative advantage in public finance stems from its unique position at the nexus of fiscal policy and development outcomes. Rather than focusing on isolated technical reforms, UNDP empowers governments to adopt whole-of-government and whole-of-society strategies that link fiscal instruments directly to sustainable development impact. This includes facilitating cross-ministerial policy dialogue, building coalitions for reform, integrating governance, climate, gender, health, and resilience priorities into fiscal frameworks, and supporting countries in translating SDG ambitions into fiscally viable implementation pathways.

The Regional Public Finance for SDGs Specialist will report to the Head of Public Finance for SDGs, SFH (Madrid), with a matrix reporting line to the Regional Advisor, SDG Finance – Latin America and the Caribbean, in the Regional Hub for LAC (Panama), while maintaining strong working relationships with the relevant teams/experts from the global SFH, Regional Hub, and Global Policy Network (GPN), as well as the OECD TIWB Secretariat in Paris. The position will be responsible for contributing to the delivery of activities under UNDP’s Public Finance for SDGs initiative in the region, hosted within the Regional Hub for LAC in Panama and the activities will contribute to the implementation of UNDP’s Regional Programme for LAC (2026-2029) and the LAC Facility for Financing Resilient Human Development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide Policy Advisory Support

  • Provide strategic and technical support to the Regional Hub and SFH for PF4SDGs implementation in the region, working closely with Country Offices, Regional Hub and SFH teams.
  • Support Country Offices to provide policy advice to Ministries of Finance, Planning, and matincluding by connecting and building on existing work on the Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) and financing strategies for SDGs/NDCs/NBSAPs.
  • Work with Regional Hub and global SFH teams to provide technical support to the County Offices for the country-level implementation of PF4SDGs related interventions, drafting/reviewing ToRs and concept notes/FPC related materials, technical reporting, and backstopping.
  • Guide research and analysis to identify public finance reforms, drawing on PF4SDGs analytical tools and the fiscal policy coherence process.
  • Support the Regional Hub and Country Offices to facilitate dialogue and coalition building with government, donors, civil society, and private sector stakeholders.
  • Develop/refine frameworks, methodologies, and tools for PF4SDGs implementation.
  • Support the design and implementation of TIWB (Tax Inspectors Without Borders) initiatives in the region, including coordination with COs and relevant partners, and ensuring alignment with PF4SDGs objectives.

Advise and support knowledge, Evidence, and Learning

  • Conduct horizon scanning and original research on tax, fiscal policy, public financial management (PFM), debt management and related topics.
  • Produce policy papers, case studies, and knowledge products for expert and non-expert audiences based on ongoing CO work and regional level initiatives.
  • Contribute to UNDP flagship publications, policy briefs, and working papers
  • Document lessons learned, innovations, and impact from PF4SDGs interventions, promoting global uptake.
  • Support management of communities of practice and facilitate knowledge exchange at regional level.
  • Design and deliver training materials, e-learning modules, and capacity-building resources.
  • Support the Regional Hub to facilitate South-South and triangular cooperation for peer learning.

Advise on Advocacy, Engagement, and Partnerships

  • Support dissemination of key results and recommendations of PF4SDGs in international conferences, expert meetings, and policy dialogues.
  • Prepare background papers, briefing notes, and talking points for senior leadership.
  • Provide technical and advisory inputs to the Regional Hub and Country Offices to support and cultivate partnerships with IFIs (World Bank, IMF), UN entities, bilateral donors, technical networks, CSOs, and research institutions.
  • Provide technical inputs to resource mobilization efforts and contribute to communications products.

Ensure Programme Management and Coordination

  • Contribute to results-based management for PF4SDGs, including indicator tracking, performance monitoring, and outcome documentation.
  • Prepare technical inputs for donor reports, internal reviews, and portfolio analyses.
  • Support recruitment and roster development for public finance expertise.
  • Coordinate and monitor regional budget planning, execution, and reporting for PF4SDGs activities, ensuring effective use of resources and compliance with UNDP financial procedures.
  • Work closely with Country Offices to support their budget management for PF4SDGs and related initiatives, providing guidance and oversight as needed.
  • Support the operational and logistical aspects of TIWB deployments and activities in the region, including reporting, knowledge sharing, and follow-up with Country Offices and partners.

Perform other duties within incumbent’s functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and Organization

Institutional Arrangement

The Regional Public Finance for SDGs Specialist will report to the Head of Public Finance for SDGs, SFH (Madrid), with a matrix reporting line to the Regional Advisor, SDG Finance – Latin America and the Caribbean, in the Regional Hub for LAC (Panama), while maintaining strong working relationships with the relevant teams/experts from the global SFH, Regional Hub, and Global Policy Network (GPN), as well as the OECD TIWB Secretariat in Paris.

Competencies

Core Competencies

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 and technical competencies

  • Business Direction & Strategy - Systems Thinking:
    • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
  • Business Management - Partnerships Management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
  • Business Management - Results-based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
  • Business Development - Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
  • Partnership management - Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.
  • 2030 Agenda: Partnerships - SDG Finance: Public Finance for the SDGs
  • 2030 Agenda: Partnerships - SDG Finance: Taxation and the SDGs

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, public administration or related field is required. OR
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Minimum of five (5) years (with Master's degree) or seven (7) years (with Bachelor's degree) of relevant professional experience in positions directly linked to public finance, taxation, budgeting or financing for development is required.
  • Experience in advising international institutions and/ or governments on public finance management, taxation, budgeting and financing for development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is required.
  • Experience in policy research in public finance in LAC is required.

  • Demonstrated experience in producing written analytical products such as concept notes, outcome reports, or other project/programme documentation is required.


Desired additional skills/ experiences

  • Experience working with international organizations, UN agencies, development banks, or similar developmental institutions is an asset.
  • Experience supporting regional or multi-country programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean is an asset.
  • Experience with the Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) programme or similar public finance related technical assistance programmes is an asset.
  • Experience with SDG financing frameworks or Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) is an asset
  • Experience with interpreting economic data and translating complex analysis into clear, policy-relevant insights is an asset.
  • Experience producing concise, high-quality written outputs for technical and non-technical audiences is an asset.
  • Experience with the regional context of Latin America and the Caribbean is an asset.


Required Language(s)

  • Fluency in English and Spanish is required
  • Knowledge of another UN language is desired.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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#LI-DNI
The position will be responsible for contributing to the delivery of activities under UNDP’s Public Finance for SDGs initiative in the region, hosted within the Regional Hub for LAC in Panama and the activities will contribute to the implementation of UNDP’s Regional Programme for LAC (2026-2029) and the LAC Facility for Financing Resilient Human Development.
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