Result of Service

Through these services the Initiative will be able to engage a broad range of financial institutions, including commercial banks, asset managers, insurers, and multi-lateral development banks and agencies in implementing global finance sector principles to catalyze integration of sustainability into financial market practice. The frameworks UNEP FI is supporting implementation include Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) now committed to by more than 210 banks collectively holding USD 53 trillion in assets, or one third of the global banking sector, and the Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI), established 2012 by UNEP FI and today applied by one-quarter of the world’s insurers (25% of world premium). The services will strengthen the integration of nature-related risk into insurance underwriting and risk frameworks, advancing the technical agenda of the PSI Working Group for Nature through methodology development, member consultation and research tailored for PSI members. The services will also help promote sustainability into all aspects of the financial sector’s operations and services. Finally, the services will help the Initiative to broaden its outreach both within UNEP / UN and external to banks, insurers and investors, governments, regulators, private sector and multi-stakeholders, including supporting institutions. 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

4 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. UNEP FI needs a consultant to support the technical and coordination work of the PSI Working Group for Nature, including methodology development, member engagement and research on nature-related risks for the insurance sector. This support is required to advance the workstream’s growing agenda and does not currently exist in sufficient capacity within the team. Objectives: The consultant will support the technical development, coordination and member engagement of the PSI Working Group for Nature, contributing to the integration of nature-related risk into insurance underwriting and risk frameworks. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant will provide assistance across the following tasks in support of UNEP FI’s insurance and nature workstream:

Support the technical development of methodologies on nature-related risks for the PSI Working Group for Nature, helping to advance first-of-their-kind approaches for the insurance sector.
Contribute to research initiatives, translating findings into actionable insights and practical recommendations tailored for PSI members.
Support the management of consultation periods for methodology development, including engaging members on feedback and coordinating piloting of draft approaches.
Drive engagement with Working Group members and technical advisors through the coordination of meetings, presentations and outreach, with a particular focus on strengthening participation across Latin America.
Support the day-to-day management of the Working Group, including facilitating leadership meetings and reporting updates to the PSI Secretariat and UNEP FI Nature Team.
Keep Working Group members informed and engaged through regular updates via the Member Area and email communications.
Support the preparation of nature and insurance related events, including flagship moments such as CBD COP17.
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:
Technical inputs and background research delivered to support the development of at least one nature-related risk methodology for the PSI Working Group for Nature.
Research syntheses and briefing notes prepared, translating findings into clear insights and recommendations for PSI members.
Consultation process supported end to end, including a consolidated log of member feedback and a summary of piloting inputs for at least one methodology under development.
Between 2 and 4 Working Group and technical advisory meetings coordinated, including scheduling, agendas, presentation materials and follow-up notes.
Working Group leadership meetings supported, with concise progress updates reported to the PSI Secretariat and UNEP FI Nature Team.
Regular member updates issued through the Member Area and email, keeping the Working Group informed throughout the contract period.
Event preparation supported for at least one nature and insurance related moment, such as CBD COP17, including briefing and coordination materials.
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 Nature Lead, UNEP FI Close cooperation: The consultant will be working in close cooperation with the UNEP FI Senior Manager, Insurance and Nature.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: A master’s degree in environmental management, geography, finance, economics, risk management, international relations, or a related discipline is required. A bachelor’s degree could be taken in lieu of master’s degree provided the selected candidate has 3 years of relevant experience. Professional Experience: At least one (1) year of experience in the environmental non-profit sector, the financial services sector, commercial consulting, or applied academic research on sustainable finance is required. This experience should be relevant for examining risks, policies, and the role of the insurance sector in nature preservation.

Languages

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

Additional Information

Skills & Knowledge: Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, strong interpersonal skills and ability to work across different topics, ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organised and timely manner; attention to detail. Knowledge of the insurance and risk centre work is desirable, as is experience of writing reports, managing working groups and supporting UNEP FI on risk integration across industry and thematic workstreams. The consultant is expected to support colleagues in implementing the insurance and nature strategies and work plans. The consultant should have the ability to establish and maintain good working relations in a multicultural and geographically dispersed team working across functions. A hands-on, pragmatic approach is desirable. An interest in nature-related risk and sustainable finance is desirable.

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) – Insurance and Nature Junior Consultant