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

UNDP•Panama City, FL

3h•Onsite

About The Position

The Regional Public Finance for SDGs Specialist contributes to the delivery of UNDP’s Public Finance for SDGs (PF4SDGs) initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean. The role is hosted within the UNDP Regional Hub for LAC in Panama and supports implementation of the UNDP Regional Programme for LAC 2026–2029 and the LAC Facility for Financing Resilient Human Development. PF4SDGs supports governments in strengthening public finance systems through work on domestic resource mobilization, public expenditure efficiency and effectiveness, fiscal policy coherence, and digital fiscal governance. The Specialist provides policy and technical advice to Regional Hub and Country Office teams, supports research and knowledge development, and contributes to advocacy, partnerships, programme management, and coordination. The role works with government ministries, development partners, civil society, private-sector stakeholders, UNDP teams, and the OECD TIWB Secretariat. It reports to the Head of Public Finance for SDGs, SFH in Madrid, with a matrix reporting line to the Regional Advisor, SDG Finance – Latin America and the Caribbean, in Panama. Applicants must have an advanced university degree in economics, finance, public administration, or a related field, or a bachelor’s degree in those areas combined with two additional years of qualifying experience. Required experience includes five years with a master’s degree or seven years with a bachelor’s degree in relevant public finance, taxation, budgeting, or development-financing work; advising international institutions or governments on these subjects in LAC; conducting public-finance policy research in LAC; and producing written analytical products. Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desired.

Requirements

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, public administration, or a related field; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in those areas combined with two additional years of qualifying experience.
At least five years of relevant professional experience with a master’s degree, or seven years with a bachelor’s degree, in positions directly linked to public finance, taxation, budgeting, or financing for development.
Experience advising international institutions and/or governments on public financial management, taxation, budgeting, and financing for development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Experience conducting policy research in public finance in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Demonstrated experience producing written analytical products, such as concept notes, outcome reports, or other project/programme documentation.
Fluency in English and Spanish.
Core competencies: achieve results, think innovatively, learn continuously, adapt with agility, act with determination, engage and partner, and enable diversity and inclusion.
Knowledge and competencies in systems thinking, partnership management, results-based management, knowledge generation, multi-stakeholder engagement and funding, Public Finance for the SDGs, and taxation and the SDGs.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and technical support to the Regional Hub and Sustainable Finance Hub for implementation of PF4SDGs in the region, working with Country Offices and relevant teams.
Support Country Offices in providing policy advice to Ministries of Finance, Planning, and other relevant ministries, connecting this work with Integrated National Financing Frameworks and financing strategies for the SDGs, NDCs, and NBSAPs.
Provide technical support for country-level PF4SDGs interventions, including drafting and reviewing terms of reference, concept notes and related materials, technical reporting, and backstopping.
Guide research and analysis to identify public finance reforms using PF4SDGs analytical tools and the fiscal policy coherence process.
Support dialogue and coalition-building with governments, donors, civil society, and private-sector stakeholders.
Develop and refine frameworks, methodologies, and tools for PF4SDGs implementation.
Support the design and implementation of Tax Inspectors Without Borders initiatives in the region, coordinating with Country Offices and partners and aligning activities with PF4SDGs objectives.
Conduct horizon scanning and original research on tax, fiscal policy, public financial management, debt management, and related topics.
Produce policy papers, case studies, and knowledge products for expert and non-expert audiences based on Country Office work and regional initiatives.
Contribute to UNDP flagship publications, policy briefs, and working papers.
Document lessons learned, innovations, and impacts from PF4SDGs interventions and promote their uptake globally.
Support communities of practice and facilitate regional knowledge exchange.
Design and deliver training materials, e-learning modules, and capacity-building resources.
Support the Regional Hub in facilitating South-South and triangular cooperation for peer learning.
Support dissemination of PF4SDGs results and recommendations at 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 partnerships with international financial institutions, UN entities, bilateral donors, technical networks, civil society organizations, and research institutions.
Provide technical inputs to resource-mobilization efforts and contribute to communications products.
Contribute to PF4SDGs results-based management, 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.
Support Country Offices with budget management for PF4SDGs and related initiatives, providing guidance and oversight as needed.
Support operational and logistical aspects of regional TIWB deployments and activities, including reporting, knowledge sharing, and follow-up with Country Offices and partners.
Perform other duties within the incumbent’s functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and Organization.