UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) - Communications Lead, Banking

Result of Service

Ultimate result of services:

Lead the banking team communications with UNEP FI members and external stakeholders in coordination with the UNEP FI Communications Lead, the communications consultant for the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, and working closely with the junior communications consultant for Banking. This includes oversight of membership communications, content on the UNEP FI PRB webpages, social media and providing and suggesting content for other UN communications channels.

Developing communications strategies and implementation plans for key campaigns, including the 4-year anniversary of the Principles, and the Progress Report, the deliverables for COP 28, the latest guidance and reports and the associated PRB Academy.

Working together with the junior communications consultant for Banking, effectively engage the signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking and UNEP FI banking members, ensuring high visibility of the initiative within the members’ organisations, communicating key milestones, promoting the achievements of its members, and their progress. Supporting coalition building through targeted communications. Liaising on communications campaigns with partners and members. Specifically,
• Ensure PRB signatories’ communications teams have access to the latest communications assets, including communications strategy, key messages, speeches, op-eds, press releases, social media assets, website, promotion packs, webinars, etc.
• The Principles for Responsible Banking initiative is positioned within the wider context of UNEP FI initiatives in coordination with the UNEP FI communications lead and other comms team members.
• Assist UNEP FI banking team members with media messaging

Work Location

Geneva, Switzerland (remote working is possible)

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.

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 400 banks, insurers and investors. For over 30 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 carries out its mission to help the financial industry align with and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and with that take on the crucial role it must play in achieving a sustainable future.

UNEP FI requires a communications Consultant to perform the following tasks:
o Developing and implementing the 2023/2024 communications plan and strategy for the PRB and providing inputs to UNEP FI’s overarching communications plan and strategy. The strategy will cover relevant communications channels such as media, social media, web, articles and communications for other stakeholders including UNEP corporate channels.
o Deliver the 4th year anniversary campaign promoting the Principles for Responsible Banking and its Progress Report.
o Developing a member communications strategy and preparing communications briefs to engage the PRB signatory banks’ communications colleagues.
o Oversight of other communications tasks including the launches of further guidance documents and overseeing the banking pages on the UNEP FI website.
o Lead the creation and production of all other communications assets including articles, speeches, press releases, social media copy, social media cards, website copy, posting and page creation, executive summaries and more.
o Lead the roll out of the marketing and communications strategy for the PRB Academy to UNEP FI’s membership in close coordination with the Chartered Banker Institute and wider UNEP FI training communications while supporting the marketing and comms strategy to the wider banking industry.
o Contribute to cross-UNEP FI communications such as supporting communications around COP28 and other major events and announcements.
o Supporting the wider UNEP FI communications team, in particular the communications consultant for the Net-Zero Banking Alliance on media outreach and response.
o Developing a media relations strategy including crisis comms plan for the banking team in coordination with the UNEP FI communications team lead and in cooperation with other members of the UNEP FI communications team, in particular the communications consultant for the Net-Zero Banking Alliance.
o Preparing speakers’ briefings and training spokespeople, troubleshooting media enquiries.
o Respond to UN requests for PRB-related communications inputs.
o Coordinate the provision of input to UNEP FI-wide communications such as the UNEP FI members’ newsletter, the UNEP FI Annual Report and any other UNEP FI-wide communications as requested by other colleagues
o Coordinate with colleagues in the UNEP FI and UNEP communications’ teams on UNEP FI planning, messaging, website developments, member communications, PR & media relations, campaigns, etc.
o Support other UNEP FI communications colleagues during absences and times of high volume in other parts of the team when possible.

Objectives: Ensure full support to the banking team on all communications matters, actively promote the principles to all relevant audiences including clients and employees of member banks, the media, civil society and the general public.

Output expectations: evidence of strategic thinking, high quality writing, appropriate messaging, hands-on creation of all assets, from press releases to web pages, social media posts and cards to executive summaries.

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

1st Deliverable – Begin preparations for 4-year anniversary, including collective progress report and launch strategy. H2 Communications briefing to all PRB Banks’ communications’ teams on upcoming campaigns and messaging for H2

2nd Deliverable – Prep for 4-year anniversary and collective progress report, includes hands-on writing, creating assets, aligning with the banking team, working with membership, and executing the final launch, effectively managing resources, time and strategy.

3rd Deliverable – Prep for 4-year anniversary and collective progress report, includes hands-on writing, creating assets, aligning with the banking team, working with membership and executing the final launch, effectively managing resources, time and strategy.

4th Deliverable – Roll-out communications assets for 4-year anniversary and collective progress report.

5th Deliverable – Roll-out communications assets for 4-year anniversary and collective progress report. Provide analytics for the campaign.

6th Deliverable – Develop a 2023 communications plan for the Principles for Responsible Banking. Meet with banking comms coalition

7th deliverable – Begin building a coalition of comms professionals. Review PRB membership communications and social posts to a high editorial standard. Launch media relations strategy in conjunction with press officer and UNEP FI communications coordinator.

8th deliverable – Ensure the Principles for Responsible Banking Academy and banking-related content from the Global Roundtable are amplified across UNEP FI channels

9th deliverable – CEO letter from head of UNEP FI. Review PRB membership communications and social posts to a high editorial standard.

10th Deliverable – H1 Communications briefing to all PRB Banks’ communications’ teams on upcoming campaigns and messaging for H1

11th Deliverable – Review the Banking team webpages and social media strategy for any updates

12th Deliverable – Meet with banking comms coalition

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head UNEP FI and report directly to the Banking Governance and Membership Lead at UNEP FI. The consultant will work closely with UNEP FI’s communications coordinator for UNEP FI, and coordinate with the Head of Banking team

Qualifications/special skills

Academic background: A Master’s degree is required, relevant to communications, marketing, design, public / media relations, business, finance, environment, or sustainability. A First degree could be taken in lieu of advanced degree provided the selected candidate has 9 years of relevant experience.

Experience:
At least 7 years’ experience ideally gained in the financial services sector, in external communications, corporate communications, press office, marketing or related field. Experience in sustainable finance is an advantage, as is knowledge of the banking industry. Experience working with the financial sector (banking, insurance and/or investment). Experience engaging global financial or regional media. Experience working with multiple stakeholders and managing relationships across various stakeholders. Experience working on campaigns, PR/media relations, websites, and event communications. Up-to-date proficiency with communications best practices, including social media and online media. Experience in designing and implementing communications strategies. Experience in writing, editing, and producing communications /marketing materials. Creative and resourceful strategist with a track record of proactivity.

Skills & Knowledge:
o Ability to engage senior stakeholders, knowledge of the sustainable finance landscape and/or the banking industry and ability to craft, design and create external communications strategy and communications assets of all types (key messages, press releases, social media, website updates, webinars)
o Creative and enthusiastic professional with excellent oral and written communications skills, with ability to communicate clearly and succinctly.
o Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to develop and execute results-focused communications plans across a mix of channels including events, newsletters, webinars, websites, press, and social media.
o Ability to produce communications materials following brand guidelines.
o Knowledge of the finance industry is required; knowledge of sustainable finance and environmental issues would be an asset.
o Ability to prioritize multiple activities concurrently in an organized and timely manner with attention to detail.
o Highly motivated and able to work independently as well as in a team.
o Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain good working relations across diverse stakeholders in a multicultural, geographically dispersed, and online environment.

Languages

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

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.