Regional Specialist, LAC - Insurance and Risk Finance (Home-Based) (Open to Tier 0,1, & 2 applicants)

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.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

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. 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 our 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 identifies sustainable finance as a key accelerator and outlines UNDPLAC´s strategic vision and operational priorities for the next four years. At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), UNDP launched the LAC Facility for Financing Resilient Human Development, which is a multi-stakeholder platform focused on enhancing the region’s capacity to mobilize public and private investments.

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.

UNDP’s Insurance and Risk Finance Team, (https://irff.undp.org) housed within the Sustainable Finance Hub’s Private Finance portfolio, is building countries’ long-term financial resilience to an evolving risk landscape. Currently active in 39 countries, the Insurance and Risk Finance team is working with over 100 public and private partners, facilitating tailored financial protection solutions for the public sector, households, smallholder farmers, small businesses and nature. The team is creating the right environment for sovereign, sub-sovereign and inclusive insurance solutions to scale, working with governments to develop supportive insurance regulations and policies, and building the capacity of local industry to develop inclusive products, services and distribution channels. The insurance and risk finance work contributes to the Sustainable Finance Hub’s public, private and global policy portfolios, with the team also providing technical assistance to help governments integrate risk finance and insurance into all aspects of public financial planning and management.

Scope of Work 

The Regional Specialist Insurance and Risk Finance is integrated within the Regional Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean; 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. 

In collaboration with the IRFF Central Team, relevant Technical Specialists from SFH and Regional Hub thematic teams and Country Offices, the Regional Specialist is responsible for the delivery of the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility strategy areas across all work, namely 1) resilient countries and communities, 2) resilient households, 3) resilient businesses, 4) resilient nature, and 5) resilient food systems. These will be delivered based on regional priorities and in close coordination with the regional technical teams, especially regarding inclusive growth and social protection, SME development, disaster risk reduction, climate, nature and forests. 

Specifically, the Regional Specialist will be responsible for a set of four inter-locking deliverables through which they will deliver this work:

-Policy Support, Integration 

• Provide policy support to the Regional Hub and SFH for regional implementation of UNDP’s work across insurance and risk finance, in close coordination with SFH Regional Advisor,  SFH portfolios and Regional Hub teams. 
• Deliver strategic advice, advocacy support, and critical analysis and information to enhance UNDP’s overall positioning on insurance and risk finance, including the preparation of briefing notes, presentations, speeches etc. Where appropriate, manage resources that may be delegated as part of overall programmatic work.
• Work across UNDP thematic teams in the Regional Hub to ensure coherent integration across issues of financing, risk and development, including, but not limited to, those working in inclusive growth and social protection, health, SME development, private sector development, impact investing, economic growth, disaster risk reduction, climate, nature and forests.   
• Participate across a range of regional and country fora where appropriate and actively promote and position UNDP’s work in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

- Technical Support to Country Office and Regional Programming

• Support country offices in the delivery of all Insurance and Risk Financing Programmes within the region, in close coordination with SFH Regional Advisor and SFH portfolios. 
• Provide direct technical advice to Country Offices and Programme Countries, especially for the implementation of country-level programmes, and where appropriate, jointly manage the delivery of specialized insurance/risk finance staff at the country level with a strong focus on coordination with other areas of work within country offices. 
• Liaise with both public and private sector delivery partners (Insurance Development Forum and the Global Shield) together with Country Offices. 
• Where appropriate, develop and implement regional initiatives. 

-Programme Identification, Development and Resource Mobilization

• Identify new and scalable opportunities for UNDP across the region and within countries and develop them to concept stage. 
• Proactively seek to resource all projects in development and actively support country offices in their task of securing financing for insurance and risk finance work in coordination with other UNDP priorities, especially sustainable finance. 
• Actively explore and develop strategic alliances with key partners for joint fundraising and service-delivery, in coordination with SFH and Regional Hub.  Contribute significantly to the development of strategic programmatic partnerships with both internal and external partners to advance the implementation of UNDP’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility and Regional Hub priorities. Develop strong relationships with donor financing and technical teams where they exist, at the regional level but also increasingly at the country level (in support of UNDP Country Offices.) 

-External Engagement, Knowledge Management, Advocacy, Research and Evidence

• Lead on regional KM, advocacy and research issues for the Insurance and Risk Finance teams in the region. 
• Where appropriate, lead on and support the development of marketing, policy, learning and advocacy materials related to the team’s work, as well as in support of both SFH and the Regional Hub. 
• Ensure that all training materials, tools and advocacy work are disseminated across country offices and programme countries. 
• Where appropriate, participate across regional media, and actively contribute to its work through a strong social media presence supported by regular expert articles.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response. UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. 

The role will report to the Insurance and Risk Finance Team Lead (primary supervisor), while also reporting to the Team Lead - Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Finance at the UNDP Regional Hub Panama (secondary supervisor).

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 

Business Direction & Strategy- System 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 - Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity.
• Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

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 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.

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.

Partnership management-Emerging partnerships

•  Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships.

2030 Agenda: Partnerships- SDG Finance

• Insurance for the SDGs

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), in Economics, Finance, Actuarial Science, Development Studies, Public Policy or other closely related area 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. 

Min. years of relevant work experience 

• Minimum of 5 years (with a master's degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible experience in insurance, risk finance, disaster risk financing, or financial sector development in the public sector (national or multilateral), private sector, academia, or non-governmental organizations is required. 

Required  skills

• Demonstrable experience working in insurance and risk financing in Latin America, with exposure to initiatives linking insurance to agriculture, nature, gender, social protection, SME development. 
• Experience in managing projects across issues of insurance and risk financing.

Desired skills 

• Experience in overseeing implementation of projects involving government, NGO/CSO, private sector, academia and/or intergovernmental stakeholders.
• Experience in results-based project management including implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in managing teams, inspiring and mentoring staff, facilitating their capacity development, and resolving conflicts. 
• Experience in overseeing and guiding the development of communications and knowledge management strategies and products.

Required Language(s)

•  Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
• Competency in other UN languages is an asset.

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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