Local Finance Specialist

UNDP; Madrid; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UNDP Madrid hosts a Local Finance Specialist focusing on subnational public finance within the Sustainable Finance Hub. The role links fiscal policy coherence with IFIs and the Local2030 Coalition to support whole-of-government SDG delivery at subnational levels.

The expert will drive research, policy advisory, and knowledge products, representing UNDP in global forums and fostering cross-country partnerships for strengthened local finance reform.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s) in Economics, Law, Public Administration, or related field is required.
• A PhD is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level policy advisory support by leading the application of fiscal policy coherence approaches at subnational level.
• Act as a technical bridge between PF4SDGs, INFFs, and Local2030 Coalition, integrating subnational fiscal policy into national financing strategies.
• Drive research and analytical work on subnational public finance, fiscal decentralization, and fiscal redistribution, developing new frameworks and tools.
• Lead the production of policy-oriented knowledge products and facilitate South-South cooperation.
• Champion advocacy, engagement, and partnerships by representing UNDP's work in global forums and building strategic alliances with governments, IFIs, UN entities, and civil society.
• Ensure effective programme management through results-based monitoring, reporting, and coordination across teams and offices.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

System Thinking

Portfolio Management

Partnerships Management

Public Finance for SDGs

SDG-aligned Fiscal and Debt Instrument

International Financial Institutions

Education

Master’s degree in Economics, Law, Public Administration or related field

Job description

Organizational context: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the lead UN agency dedicated to eradicating poverty and reducing inequality across 170 countries. Its Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH) accelerates progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by mobilizing, aligning, and deploying finance. The Public Finance for SDGs (PF4SDGs) portfolio strengthens public finance systems, operating across 99+ countries with a significant portfolio. This role sits within the PF4SDGs portfolio, focusing on subnational public finance.

Job purpose: The Local Finance Specialist will serve as the primary technical advisor on subnational public finance within UNDP's Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH) Public Finance for the SDGs (PF4SDGs) portfolio. This role is crucial for integrating subnational fiscal policy coherence, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and the Local2030 Coalition's agendas to ensure comprehensive, whole-of-government fiscal policy support for countries. The Specialist will guide the design, implementation, and monitoring of subnational fiscal policy coherence initiatives, including applying the "cost of fiscal incoherence" methodology and integrating fiscal redistribution strategies. A key aspect of the role involves driving thought leadership, knowledge sharing, representing UNDP globally, and fostering partnerships to strengthen UNDP's integrated approach to local finance for SDG delivery.

Responsibilities:

Provide high-level policy advisory support by leading the application of fiscal policy coherence approaches, including the "cost of fiscal incoherence" methodology, at the subnational level. Act as a technical bridge between PF4SDGs, Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs), and the Local2030 Coalition, integrating subnational fiscal policy into national financing strategies. Drive research and analytical work on subnational public finance, fiscal decentralization, and fiscal redistribution, developing new frameworks and tools. Lead the production of policy-oriented knowledge products and facilitate South-South cooperation. Champion advocacy, engagement, and partnerships by representing UNDP's work in global forums and building strategic alliances with governments, IFIs, UN entities, and civil society. Ensure effective programme management through results-based monitoring, reporting, and coordination across teams and offices.

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Economics, Law, Public Administration, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience will be considered. A PhD in a relevant field is an asset. Fluency in English is mandatory; knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Work experience:

A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in public finance or fiscal policy, with at least three years at the international level, is required. This includes at least five years supporting developing countries' Ministries of Finance or Parliaments on public finance reforms and five years of demonstrated experience in subnational public finance, fiscal decentralization, or local financing strategies. Applied experience in fiscal policy coherence, INFFs, and fiscal redistribution is essential. Experience in high-level policy engagement, UN system initiatives, and fiscal redistribution, particularly HNWI taxation, is desired.

Skills:

• Strategic Thinking
• System Thinking
• Portfolio Management
• Partnerships Management
• Public Finance for SDGs
• SDG-aligned Fiscal and Debt Instruments
• International Financial Institutions

Required languages:

• English