Sustainable Finance Analyst

ABOUT UN UNIVERSITY (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu. 

THE UNU CENTRE FOR POLICY RESEARCH (UNU-CPR)

United Nations University Centre for Policy Research in New York is an independent think tank within the United Nations system. The Centre combines research excellence with deep knowledge of the multilateral system to generate innovative solutions to current and future global public policy challenges.  

The Centre comprises social and data scientists and UN practitioners. It has a successful track record of international partnerships, and has launched pioneering work in several thematic areas, including modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and child labour (Sustainable Development Goals Target 8.7). For more information on UNU-CPR and its work, please visit http://cpr.unu.edu. 

THE FAST INITIATIVE

The FAST initiative was launched in mid-2018 as a multi-stakeholder partnership in response to calls from the G7, the G20 and the United Nations General Assembly to mobilize the private sector in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking. In under two years, the initiative has already had substantial impact, having trained thousands of financial sector professionals in more than 130 countries, mobilized institutional investors with more than USD 8 trillion assets under management to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking, developed risk analysis tools for the sector, and provided input into a range of multilateral and regulatory policy processes. It has also organized a coalition of banks and survivor support organizations to provide survivors with improved access to financial services. Owing to the generous support of FAST donors, the project has been extended and is successfully poised for growth. 

THE POSITION

The UNU Centre for Policy Research is looking for a committed and enterprising Sustainable Finance Analyst to contribute to the project’s outreach and engagement with the financial sector ranging from banks, insurance companies, digital finance providers, investors, and audit firms. 

The Sustainable Finance Analyst will significantly contribute to mobilizing, convening, supporting, educating, and partnering with financial sector actors to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking. The role is focused on identifying tools and practices that can shift ‘business as usual’ approaches and, importantly, induce greater interest and cooperation to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking by clarifying risks and emphasizing opportunities in industry practices and processes. This role will broaden the community of FAST partners and catalyse interaction amongst existing and new partners in the financial sector.

Over the next years, the Sustainable Finance Analyst will work closely with the FAST Project Director and the FAST project team to implement a programme of work that aligns with donor expectations and ambitions. The Sustainable Finance Analyst will be responsible for shaping activities to support efforts in the financial sector to reduce modern slavery and human trafficking risk in business activities and processes.

ABOUT YOU

You are an experienced sustainable finance professional with a thorough understanding of the identification and management of risks, ideally including those related to modern slavery. You are familiar with sustainable finance initiatives and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in banking, lending and investment practices, as well as compliance and regulatory regimes, financial technology, and the global business and human rights landscape. You value and are also familiar with existing initiatives, research and policy related to these themes and are keen to be part of a team that is able to leverage the transformative potential of this agenda. 

You have a proven track record of being involved in ESG or Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives that influence practice and decision-making. Your relationship-building and people skills enable you to work collaboratively with others, including through direct outreach and engagement at senior levels. You thrive in innovative and purpose-oriented settings and are committed to diversity, equality, and building a workplace that values excellence, empathy, and individual growth equally.

You are proactive and motivated by the prospect of collaborating with the rich constellation of public and private partnerships developed by the UNU Centre for Policy Research to be part of a bold and impactful programme of work that will extend the capacity of financial institutions, governments and other key stakeholders to reduce the prevalence of modern slavery. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

The Sustainable Finance Analyst will report to the FAST Project Director and will be expected to:

• Contribute to the implementation of the FAST programme of work related to the financial sector and investors, building on existing initiatives and ensuring future activities align with donor priorities;

• Collaborate with other members of the FAST project team, including the Workstream Leads for the Government and Multilateral sectors and Vulnerable Populations, to leverage insights;

• Plan, design and implement collective learning activities for financial actors focused on risk, due diligence, supply chains, leverage, insurance, auditing, among others;

• Produce and disseminate targeted insights for financial sector actors to support embedding anti-slavery and anti-human trafficking approaches in financial sector practice;

• Design and execute trainings on modern slavery and human trafficking risks for e.g. banks, institutional investors, auditors, insurance, stock exchange personnel;

• Co-develop screening, compliance and risk analysis tools for the financial sector to address modern slavery risks;

• Contribute to authoritative evidenced-based policy reports, recommendations, editorials, and other publications that advance FAST objectives; 

• Organize and participate in meetings and conferences that support FAST outreach, coalition-building and the dissemination of findings, including an annual implementation review conference. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in business administration, finance, law, political science, international relations, human rights or public policy.  A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;

• Minimum of 3 years (5 preferable) of relevant work experience in or with the finance sector;

• Demonstrable experience promoting environmental, social and governance  (ESG) and/or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives;

• Knowledge of issues in the areas of ESG, sustainable finance, business and human rights, ideally in the context of modern slavery (including human trafficking, child labour and forced labour);

• Excellent analytical and conceptual thinking;

• Exceptional interpersonal and problem-solving skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender parity;

• Excellent English-language oral and written communication skills; knowledge of another official UN language(s) is desirable;

• Familiarity with statistics, data analysis and research methodologies is advantageous.

At UNU-CPR, we value creativity, curiosity, openness, and respect. The Centre is an inclusive environment welcoming of diversity, where personnel are encouraged to share experiences and perspectives, and support colleagues that challenge the status quo. It is an empowering space that offers all personnel, irrespective of status or background, the opportunity to innovate and enrich our shared community.

REMUNERATION & ENTITLEMENTS

The successful candidate will be employed under an international PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary in the range of USD 85,000 to USD 95,000, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme. 

UNU will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

DURATION OF CONTRACT

The duration of the initial contract is one (1) year. This is a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA is 65 years.

The successful candidate will be based in New York and may initially start remotely.

STARTING DATE

1 January 2022 or sooner.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To apply to UNU, you will not need an Impactpool account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply here: https://careers.unu.edu/o/head-development-equities-programme-psa 
• fill out the UNU P11 form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates will include up to two rounds of interviews, a test, background, and reference checks.

Special notice

PSA holders do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply and become part of the organization. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are encouraged to apply.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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