UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) – Africa and Middle East (AME) Regional Coordination Associate

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Thursday 9 Feb 2023 at 23:59 UTC

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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 300 banks collectively representing almost half of global banking assets, 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).

This position will support UNEP FI’s Regional Coordinator for Africa & the Middle East. 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 and partners.

Work Location Geneva (Remote working arrangement is possible)

Expected duration 10 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 450 banks, insurers and investors. For over 28 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 Africa and Middle East Regional Coordinator in supporting the implementation of UNEP FI’s strategy to mobilise sustainable finance in Africa and the Middle East. The support coordinator will be supporting the outreach to banks to become signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking and insurers to join the Principles for Sustainable Insurance. The consultant will be responsible for supporting relationship management with UNEP FI members to engage them to participate in UNEP FI’s work programme, promote leadership, capacity building, raise awareness and share knowledge. The consultant will establish and maintain partnerships to promote training and other capacity building opportunities to advance sustainable finance. The consultant will support the AME Regional Coordinator to develop UNEP FI’s coordination plan for AME and engage supporting institutions in accelerating sustainable finance. The consultant will liaise with industry associations, regulators and supervisors, relevant networks and other key stakeholders in the region, as well as coordinating events and convening meetings with financial institutions. The coordinator will support the Secretariat on member communications on sustainable finance in the region and maintain regional information on UNEP FI’s website. The coordinator will provide the Secretariat with information on members’ news and priorities to accelerate sustainable finance market practice in the MENA and Sub-Sahara Africa. The consultant will support the UN Environment Secretariat as required. E.g. surveys, briefings, meetings.

Additionally, the consultant will be responsible to coordinate activities under region-specific projects, including but not limited to the SDG Climate Facility and the MENA Banking Declaration.

Objectives 1. Support UNEP FI’s Regional Coordinator for Africa & the Middle East on regional coordination. 2. Expand membership and signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking, Net Zero Banking Alliance and Principles for Sustainable Insurance. 3. Develop and maintain pipeline of potential members and supporting institutions that can contribute to reaching a critical mass on sustainable finance in AME 4. Support implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking and Principles for Sustainable Insurance supported through translated materials, communications, webinars, technical assistance, peer to peer exchange and workshops 5. Relationship management and engagement with existing members, sharing information on key topics and policy developments 6. Support training delivery and promotion in AME. 7. Support regional awareness raising and engagement on regional priorities of global work programme and implementation of donor-funded activities and projects 8. Support Regional Coordination for AME 9. Support regional communications in AME. 10. Support piloting of responsible banking training curriculum in the region 11. Support implementation of regional initiatives and projects including the MENA Banking Declaration 12. Support in preparation for UNEP FI’s presence and activities in UNFCCC COP28

Output expectations 1. List maintained of potential signatories and key stakeholders to engage, focusing on priority countries. 2. Workshop and webinar materials for awareness raising and capacity building to support the PRB and PSI, focusing on impact analysis and setting and implementing targets under the PRB and insurance Sustainable Development Goals. 3. Research into linkages between the PRB and regional regulatory frameworks. 4. Relationship management and regional support in the region strengthened through implementation of work plan for region. a. Knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning undertaken through events, workshops, meetings, technical assistance around regional priorities and good practice. b. Meetings/events including agenda, background documents drafted and, minutes and list of participants, in co-ordination with Meeting Chair are outputs of the meetings. c. Support fundraising/sponsorship and implementation of donor-funded activities and projects. 5. UNEP FI’s regional web page maintained and regulatory updated 6. Quarterly calls with members in AME (MENA and SSA regions) 7. Outreach and engagement of key stakeholders including a local partner and banks 8. Support in accelerating membership’s adoption of sustainable finance 9. Support the collection of members’ financial contributions 10. Contributing to regional and global meetings as necessary 11. Africa and Middle East Regional Roundtable successfully concluded 12. Second edition of the Governors Roundtable and CEOs from the Arab Region successfully concluded 13. AME Initiatives well presented at UNFCCC COP28

In line with the UNEP FI project document approved by UNEP, and under the direct supervision of the Regional Coordination Manager, the Consultant will carry out the following project tasks for UNEP FI.

¿ Support AME Regional Coordinator in coordination of both the MENA and SSA regions ¿ Support in the development and implementation outreach and coordination plan for the region. ¿ Assist in updating and implementing the work plan for AME and contribute to the regional work programme, aligned with UNEP FI’s global work programme. ¿ Identify key markets and focus activities on mobilising sustainable finance across the region ¿ Maintain member, supporting institution and key stakeholder contact information and follow up on members’ fee payments. ¿ Facilitate relationships with UNEP FI members and increase banking and insurance membership in the region. Assist with the management of regular communications with UNEP FI’s members via e-mails, conference calls, and in-person meetings; update the Africa & Middle East regional section on UNEP FI’s website as well as the Knowledge platform created under the SDG Climate Facility project. ¿ Consult, with the guidance of UNEP FI, members on activities in the region, hold regular and focussed calls with members to advance sustainable finance priorities. ¿ Raise awareness of sustainable finance and disseminate UNEP FI materials/information to members and key stakeholders in AME and promote consultations/surveys/research findings. ¿ Support adoption and implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking and Principles for Sustainable Insurance in AME through peer exchanges and knowledge sharing. ¿ Assist in engaging members to participate in the global work programme and sustainable finance network activities, including projects and knowledge sharing. ¿ Raise awareness of project outputs from the industry and thematic workstreams and engage members in opportunities to get involved through email and virtual communications channels. ¿ Promote uptake of UNEP FI guidance and tools, such as guidance on target setting on financial inclusion, biodiversity and gender equality and ESG in underwriting guidelines. ¿ Support organization of the Africa & Middle East Regional Roundtable and other UNEP FI events in the region. Assist in securing sponsorship/delivery/media partners for Regional Roundtable. Promote financial sector participation in AGM and relevant activities, meetings and UNEP FI events. ¿ Support development and implementation of outreach to engage financial institutions in priority countries in sustainable finance activities. ¿ Assist the preparation of missions by UNEP delegates in the region. ¿ Assist in the facilitation of cross-regional network engagement in co-ordination with UNEP FI’s regional co-ordination team. ¿ Delivery and implementation of SDG Climate Facility activities, MENA Banking Declaration, Nairobi Declaration and other regional activities. ¿ Review translated materials that will be made available under the capacity building component of UNEP FI’s work, contribute to reporting on progress to donors/partners, facilitate contact with stakeholders on the ground and help in organizing meetings to discuss engagement. This includes drafting of concept note/outline highlighting objectives and incentives for engagement. ¿ Working with the AME Regional Coordinator and training team to deliver a number of workshops on climate change and finance and integrating sustainability into decision-making.

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Programme Management Officer.

Qualifications/special skills Academic background: First university degree in international relations, business, economics and finance, sustainable development or an environmental field.

Experience: At least 5 years’ experience of working with the financial services sector. Programme management experience in international organizations. NGOs or consultancies. Experience working on public-private sector partnerships, specifically in the sustainable finance field or in related field such as corporate responsibility. Event management and moderation/public speaking. Experience of writing/editing technical reports desirable.

Skills & Knowledge: Proven knowledge of the field of sustainable finance is required; understanding of drivers of sustainability in the financial sector in AME. Ability to contribute to initiatives assessing ESG risks, including voluntary standards; ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a diplomatic, organised and timely manner; proven influencing skills; Excellent communication skills (listening, spoken and written). Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills. The the ability to rganize and deliver written updates, events, management desirable conference calls and webinars; ability to be proactive and work independently. Project management skills desirable. French language is an asset.

Languages Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Fluency in French and/or Arabic for the position 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.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org