Result of Service

Through these services, the Initiative will be able to engage banks in implementing global finance sector principles to catalyse integration of sustainability into financial market practice. The consultant will assist members with their implementation of the Guidance for Climate Target Setting and associated climate guidance on target setting, policy engagement, transition planning and transition finance. UNEP FI supports signatories in implementing the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), now committed to by more than 350 banks collectively holding almost $100tn total assets, approximately half of the global banking sector assets. The services will also help promote sustainability into all aspects of the financial sector’s operations and services. The consultant’s work will also contribute to upholding UN core values, ensuring that human rights-based approach, the principle of leaving no one behind and gender equality and women’s empowerment are integrated throughout their work at UNEP FI.

Work Location

Working remotely / Home-based

Expected duration

12 months

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. UNEP’s work is firmly grounded in the UN core values, including the human rights-based approach, the commitment to leaving no one behind, and the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment across all activities. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and 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. For over 34 years UNEP FI has been shaping and driving the international sustainable finance agenda, setting global standards, and growing a global network of leading financial institutions. 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. Since the formation of Principles for Responsible Banking in September 2019, UNEP FI has been working with banks on climate mitigation. This work has involved co-developing with banks the Guidance for Climate Target Setting for Banks, associated sectoral target setting guidance for 9 sectors, guidance on transition finance, transition planning, and, more recently, guidance on real economy policy engagement. The Climate Transition Team at UNEP FI engages banks on how they can accelerate the climate transition and be best positioned to finance the economy of the future. We co-develop guidance in working groups, bring in expert voices to webinars, run technical sessions and provide peer learning opportunities. UNEP FI is looking for a sustainable finance expert to work with banks on technical work. i. Facilitate engagement with member banks to support progress towards their climate goals. ii. Support the work track in accordance with the workplan, including planning and facilitating meetings, working with members to develop approaches, tools and materials, running technical deep dives into priority areas. iii. Finalise the workplan for 2028 with banks and obtain sign off for this from the Leadership. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant will assist in the following project/tasks for UNEP FI’s banking climate transition work:

Coordinate and support working group meetings with banks, preparing content, sharing with members and providing summaries of meetings.
Prepare reports that aim to assist banks’ implementation of climate mitigation work, drafting, coordinating bank inputs, and addressing bank representatives’ feedback.
Consider a strategy for bringing opportunities to banks on real economy policy engagement, targeting areas where the transition is held back due to policy barriers.
Arrange webinars and events with expert speakers, managing logistics, developing concept notes and content.
Arrange and prepare for meetings with co-leads, selected from the banking membership, to discuss the strategic direction of the work, what will be most useful for members and agree deliverables.
Assist with the review of the Guidelines for Climate Target Setting for Banks.
Project managing the delivery of the workplan for the climate transition track.
Ensure that all communications outputs reflect UNEP and UN core values, including human rights-based approach, the principle of leaving no one behind and gender equality and women’s empowerment, and contribute to internal awareness on these values.
Support the implementation of UNEP FI’s 2026–2029 Social Action Plan by including all relevant measures from the plan in their work. Outputs and Deliverables:
Recommendations for what UNEP FI can offer member banks to assist them with the development and implementation of their climate strategies.
Project managing and development of quality reports and guidance that are useful to and provide practical tools for banks.
Resources that support sustainability teams in working across their institutions, including front line banking and risk colleagues.
Webinars and events that deliver value to members, assisting them with their implementation.
Support the development of an ongoing programme of work for 2028.
Work closely with work track co-leads to further the aims of the track in supporting members to implement their climate commitments.
Liaise with the feedback and review team and advise on technical queries that may arise.
The above deliverables will be developed and implemented in alignment with UNEP FI’s Social Action Plan and guided by the UN’s core values. The consultant will report to: Overall supervisor: The Head of UNEP FI. Direct Supervisor: The Climate Transition Banking Lead, UNEP FI Close coordination: The candidate will work closely with the Climate Transition Implementation Lead and the Banking Team co-Leads.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: A master’s degree in economics, finance, environmental studies, international relations, business administration or related fields is required. A bachelor’s degree could be taken in lieu of master’s degree provided the selected candidate has 9 years of relevant experience. Professional Experience: At least seven (7) years of relevant experience is required, which may be in the public or private sector or with NGOs, examining the intersection between climate change and corporate impact, risk and opportunity. Experience of working on pathways for the alignment of real economy sectors with the goals of the Paris Agreement is desirable. Experience working with financial institutions, particularly banks, to assess their climate impact and develop transition strategies for Paris alignment is desirable.

Languages

Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is an asset.

Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge: The candidate should have a proven and established track record on climate-change-related assessments and analyses, particularly from a financial services perspective. They should have in-depth knowledge of the various emerging approaches and methodologies to measure and set targets on climate alignment of financial, ideally banking, portfolios. They should understand the main issues around transition planning and transition finance. They should equally be familiar with the relevant ongoing discussions and institutions involved in this space. They should have a deep understanding of topics at the interface of climate change (or similar environmental challenges) and corporate/financial strategies. The candidate should be experienced in facilitating collaborative working groups with different stakeholder types, particularly on the theme and challenge of climate change, and particularly in the financial services industry.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) - Climate Transition Banking Implementation Expert