Result of Service

UNEP FI is seeking a facilitator for its Banking Team and Climate Team retreats. The role of the facilitator is to help design and implement processes that enable the group to generate ideas, make strategic decisions, and build cohesion. The ultimate result of the service will be improved strategic planning, team cohesion and team coordination. This will improve secretariat function and strategic direction. 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’s.

Work Location

Geneva, Switzerland

Expected duration

2 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 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 UNEP FI’s Banking Team is responsible for the initiative’s work with its over 300 member banks around the world. This includes overseeing and supporting the implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking. On 22nd September 2019, UNEP FI member banks representing USD 47 trillion and with that over a third of the global banking industry officially signed and launched the Principles for Responsible Banking together with UN Secretary General Guterres. The Principles for Responsible Banking guide the change towards a new, sustainable global banking industry that takes on a key role in helping society to achieve its goals for a sustainable future. With these Principles, banks commit to strategically align their business with and scale up their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate. The Principles are supported by a strong implementation framework that defines clear accountabilities and requires each bank to set, publish and work towards ambitious targets and report publicly on their positive and negative impacts and progress in implementing their commitments. Banks that are not in line with their commitments can be removed from the list of signatories. UNEP FI needs a consultant to assist with the facilitation of the UNEP FI Banking Team and Climate Team retreats. Objectives The objective of this initiative is to help plan an agenda and carry out facilitation for the Banking Team Retreat and to document the outcomes of the retreat. The objectives of the retreat are to build team cohesion and improve teamwork, strengthen team members understanding of the team’s role and their role, strengthen coordination and improve collaboration between the Banking Team, the Climate Team and other UNEP FI Teams, including the Regional Coordination Team. The consultant is expected to design the retreat agenda based on input and feedback from the Banking Team and Climate Team, undertake preparation to and facilitate the agreed number of days for both team retreats. The consultant is furthermore expected to deliver retreat documentation in form of a report. Specific tasks and responsibilities The consultant will provide assistance in the following tasks: 1. Banking Team retreat: Delivered in two components: a) Online team session ahead of the in-person retreat:

Conduct a preparation call with the Banking Team Leads
Develop a facilitation plan for 3 2-hour online sessions with the Banking Team
Draft an agenda for the sessions, and refine based on feedback
Set up online tools needed to support facilitation of the sessions, including Mural Board, worksheets, breakout rooms
Deliver 6 hours of facilitation. b) In-person team retreat:
Conduct two preparation calls with the Banking Team Leads and two preparation calls with other team members.
Have calls/exchanges with the Banking Team Assistant on retreat logistics as needed.
For joint days with other teams: Two preparation calls with both banking and other team leads.
Develop a first draft retreat agenda based on the expectations & inputs from the Banking Team (and for days with other teams, their inputs) at least three weeks before the retreat.
Deliver a final agenda at least 10 days before the retreat, following a round of feedback.
Prepare his/her retreat facilitation to support the Banking Team in meeting its retreat objectives.
Deliver 1.5 days of retreat facilitation.
Provide all materials needed to deliver the retreat (including markers, post-its, etc.)
Document the retreat in a report, to be submitted maximum 10 days after the retreat. 2. Climate Team retreat:
Conduct three preparation calls with the Climate Team Lead and three preparation calls with other team members.
Have calls/exchanges with the Climate Team Assistant on retreat logistics as needed.
For joint days with other teams: four preparation calls with both Climate and other team leads.
Develop a first draft retreat agenda based on the expectations & inputs from the Climate Team (and for days with other teams, their inputs) at least three weeks before the retreat.
Deliver a final agenda at least 10 days before the retreat, following a round of feedback.
Prepare his/her retreat facilitation to support the Climate Team in meeting its retreat objectives.
Deliver 2 days of retreat facilitation.
Provide all materials needed to deliver the retreat (including markers, post-its, etc.)
Document the retreat in a report, to be submitted maximum 15 days after the retreat.
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. The consultant will report to: Overall supervisor: The Head of UNEP FI. Direct Supervisor: The Banking Team Lead, UNEP FI The Climate Lead, UNEP FI

Qualifications/special skills

A master’s degree or equivalent in finance, environmental studies, international relations, business administration or related field is required. A bachelor’s degree could be taken in lieu of master’s degree provided the selected candidate has 7 years of relevant experience At least five (5) years of work experience, in business development, facilitation or strategy is required. Experience in the environment or finance sectors and in international organizations would be a strong advantage.

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

Proven knowledge in the fields of strategic planning, meeting design, meeting facilitation, team building, event documentation. An ability to cope and assist with multiple projects and activities in an organised and timely manner is important; proven conceptual, analytical, and evaluative skills; excellent communication (spoken and written) skills are also required. Knowledge of the United Nations and its structures.

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) - Facilitator Banking and Climate Team Retreats