UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Technical Officer – GEF project

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 supporting the development and implementation of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). UNEP FI is a founding partner, implementation partner and piloting partner to the TNFD, supporting the uptake of TNFD globally and helping financial institutions to report and act on evolving nature-related risks.

UNEP FI has a Nature team that includes research and engagement with financial institutions on financing for a sustainable blue economy, sustainable land use, and will expand its focus on sustainable finance for food systems and circular economy. The UNEP FI pilots in support of TNFD will be essential in understanding in more detail the nature journey of each financial institution and further connect them to these other workstreams, along with supporting financial institutions deliver on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, notably on Targets 14 and 15.

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.

Work Location

Working remotely

Expected duration

6 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 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 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 promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

UNEP FI is looking for a technical officer to support all industry-related work on nature-related impacts and dependencies and translating them to financial risks and opportunities when working with subject matter experts, key stakeholders and UNEP FI members. The technical officer will notably assist in the establishment of the UNEP FI piloting programme in support of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Key activities include:

• Support awareness raising, engaging with global financial institutions on applying, understanding, using the TNFD framework, and making investment decisions in relation to corporate nature-risk disclosures
• Support the ongoing UNEP FI pilots in support of the TNFD: establish priority areas to develop for the UNEP FI pilots in support of the TNFD engaging with the relevant stakeholders, develop preparatory materials and update them accordingly, schedule meetings and conduct working group meetings with pilot participants, updating materials and priority areas as needed
• Support outreach to UNEP FI members and global financial institutions to better understand their journey to act and report on nature-related risks
• Support communication activities including monthly reporting on main activities to internal and external stakeholders, and/or the organization of webinars and presentations

UNEP FI needs a consultant to expand its work in the nature team with a focus on the implementation and awareness raising of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, along with the establishment of UNEP FI’s piloting programme in support of TNFD.

In line with the work programme delivered during the UNEP FI Annual General Meetings and under the direct supervision of Jessica Smith, UNEP FI Nature & Ecosystems Lead, in close cooperation with the wider nature team the consultant will carry out the following project tasks as shown below in 3.2 below. The consultant will Support UNEP FI’s awareness raising, communication and stakeholder engagement activities.

Performance indicators:
- Timely and precise delivery of expected activities
- Meticulous attention to details, especially when writing deliverables or communicating with external partners
- Positive relations with all TNFD partner organizations and financial institutions
- Proactive engagement with financial institutions
- Proactive technical disposition to read up-to-date materials

Specific tasks and responsibilities:
1. Support the establishment of the UNEP FI pilots in support of the TNFD
To ensure the implementation and global uptake of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures risk and disclosure framework for corporates and financial institutions to act and report on their nature-related impacts and dependencies, UNEP FI is continuously developing and establishing its pilot programme in support of the TNFD. This programme builds on UNEP FI’s track record on its TCFD piloting programme – a programme allowing for UNEP FI to take on a leadership role in developing good practices regarding climate risk in the financial sector, involving almost 100 financial institutions. The consultant will assist in the development phase and establishment of this programme, identifying key areas of development, relevant methodologies, data and metrics.

2. Support communication, stakeholder engagement and capacity building activities
The consultant will support communication and stakeholder engagement activities relevant for the UNEP FI pilots in support of the TNFD and/or for the nature-related risk workstream. For stakeholder engagement, this includes identifying relevant financial institutions to engage with, actively following up and following financial institution’s nature journey and engage with other key partners at UNEP FI or externally; on communication the consultant will support the delivery of webinars to raise awareness or develop capacity building, draft messages to participants, contribute to newsletters and other internal activities, and to other communication opportunities from the nature team.

The consultant would be based in the UNEP FI Nature team but to ensure seamless coordination between banking, nature and regional teams as well as key partners including the TNFD Secretariat team and the GEF/WWF team.

3. Support project management and monitoring controls
The consultant will support the establishment of an internal monitoring and reporting system to keep track of the progress from all financial institutions joining the UNEP FI pilots in support of the TNFD; along with supporting the daily project management of the project, scheduling meetings and following up with participants.

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Programme Management Officer, working in close coordination with UNEP FI’s Communications Coordinator and Ecosystems team.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural sciences, environmental engineering, business, finance or a related discipline. A First degree could be taken in lieu of advanced degree provided the selected candidate has 5 years of relevant experience.

Professional Experience: A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible work experience related to financial sector, biodiversity and natural capital.

Skills & Knowledge: Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with digital technology; ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organized and timely manner; attention to detail; experience with project management. The consultant is expected to have experience working with senior professionals. Experience in nature-related risk and disclosure would be valuable. Experience in technical assistance in developing/emerging markets and experience working for public sector donors especially bilateral development agencies would be valuable.

Languages

Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Proficiency in other languages is desirable, especially from African or Asian countries.

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.