Programme Officer - Property

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic public-private partnership between UNEP and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works with over 200 financial institutions, signatories to UNEP Statement of Commitment by Financial Institutions on Sustainable Development, and a range of partners and organizations, to embed environmental, social and governance considerations in financial decision-making. Through its industry, thematic and regional activities, UNEP FI promotes the adoption of sustainability practices by financial institutions and the finance sector at large.
The consultant will work with UNEP FI members, UNEP FI thematic, industry and regional coordinators, as well as relevant governance bodies to 1) ensure that UNEP FI’s Property Working Group’s activities reflect the needs and interests of the members, match UN priorities, and are delivered in accordance with UNEP FI’s work plan for 2018-2019; and 2) deliver the work programme on positive impact frameworks for real estate investment in UNEP FI Positive Impact Finance worksteam.

In line with the work programme agreed at UNEP FI Annual General Meeting and approved by UNEP, and under the direction of UNEP FI Head and Elodie Feller, UNEP FI Investment Programme Lead, the Consultant will support the implementation of UNEP FI annual work plan through the following project tasks.

The Consultant will support UNEP FI with the planning, delivery, monitoring and communication of UNEP FI activities on sustainable property investment, based on the work stream strategy validated with UNEP FI GSC.

The Consultant will equally contribute to UNEP FI Positive Impact Finance work stream, in particular with respect to producing Guidance on positive impact investment in real estate. For this project, the consultant will work under the lead of the Programme Lead for the Investment work, and the overall direction of the Head of UNEP FI.

Specifically the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

Property Working Group:

• Building on UNEP FI Investment work programme for 2018-2019, and in close collaboration with the UNEP FI Property Working Group Co-Chairs, finetune and implement the related work plan for 2018-2019, relevant from a regional perspective;
• Provide guidance to real estate investors on how to operationalize the Principles for Positive Impact Finance: including the publication of a discussion paper and case studies and the publication of  a Framework (or Guidance) for Positive Impact Investment in Real Estate: Provide support on the real estate-related work as part of the TCFD Investor Pilot; Involve external partners and associations as appropriate.
• Provide support to develop the property agenda around Green debt: Evaluate progress via regional market stakeholder engagement process; Seek support / co-branding from UN Environment Green Tagging initiative
• Provide support to develop the property agenda around local energy services: Assess / map applicability to present members, by region, for programmatic initiative in under-represented PWG region; Solicit partners and potential co-funders (e.g., GABC, UN-Habitat)
• Enhance the PWG visibility and sharing experience: Disseminate briefings, relevant reports, member news, host topical webinar regularly to PWG mailing list; Thematic (e.g., Positive Impact, Green Debt) regional events proposed and/or executed (focus on North America); Increase in speaking engagements for PWG staff or members.
• Expend and diversify the group membership: One to one outreach to potential new UNEP FI members (calls, meetings, updated PWG overview slide deck); New member targeting through property industry trade groups/ associations (e.g., NAREIT, EPRA); Recruit PWG members through existing UNEP FI banking sector members (contacts in real estate finance nominated).
• Support the GABC (Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction) in a Co-Chair capacity for the Finance work stream, including convening stakeholders and advancing finance workplan priorities related to upstream governance and institutional capacity for energy efficiency policy setting and regulatory environments; finance strategies for local energy networks tied to large property projects; and a globally-focused energy efficiency investment toolkit; and participation on the GABC steering committee.

Property Working Group:

• UNEP FI Property Working Group work plan for 2018-2019, tailored to members needs and regional representation, agreed with UNEP FI PWG Co-Chairs;
• + 3 net institutions join the PWG in 2018; Contacts identified, participation from existing UNEP FI banking members (2+)
• 1-2 new initiatives commence during 2018 for development throughout 2019;
• Launch of the Positive Impact Guidance for Real Estate Investment in November 2018.
• Inclusion of energy efficiency and/or clean energy finance and investment at one GABC regional roundtable or other co-branded event

a. Education 

Advanced university (Masters) degree is required in one or several of the following areas: international relations, international law, business administration, economics, finance with a focus on sustainable development / corporate responsibility.
OR a first university degree (Bachelor) with 2 (two) additional years of relevant experience may be acceptable in lieu of the advanced degree.

b. Work Experience

Minimum 5 (five) years of work experience in sustainable business development; practice in working with financial institutions to promote sustainable development experience in project management at an international level is required.
Experience working with financial institutions on responsible property finance is an asset.

c. Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.  Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Proven skills in building and managing relationships with a variety of private and public stakeholders. Ability to work in a multicultural environment; to discern common denominators in a diverse set of point of views; to rapidly capture ideas, synthesize and translate concepts into real outputs. Ability to cope with comprehensive work programmes, multiple projects and activities in an organized and timely manner. Excellent communication skills, spoken and written. The incumbent is expected to work independently with minimal supervision, must have significant latitude to be self-directed and be highly motivated. Knowledge on sustainable finance trends, risks and opportunities, with a focus on property finance. Desired in-depth knowledge on finance and the real estate sector, industry processes and UN-related mechanisms.  

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (80% part time) Contract level: International ICA 2
Contract duration: 4 months (with possible extension subject to satisfactory performance and funds availability)

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

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