UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) – Africa Coordinator

Result of Service Expected results/outputs to be achieved:

1. Knowledge shared on SSA financial ecosystem, membership engagement, partners, supporting institutions and other key stakeholders in the sub-region. 2. Inputs provided on work plan for capacity building workshops and Regional Roundtable in Africa & Middle East, in line with the PRB and PSI work programmes. 3. Awareness raised of the SSA financial sector landscape, events, initiatives and pipeline of potential PRB and PSI signatories. 4. Briefing provided on the current status of sustainable finance, members’ status and priorities and policy and regulatory developments to advance sustainable finance in the region. 5. Coordination undertaken on important organizations and initiatives in Africa (e.g., AfDB and GCA) on UNEP FI priority areas on sustainable finance, including climate-related activities and financial sector engagement in SSA. 6. Information provided on engagement of governance bodies and outcomes/next steps for activities in 2022 and key plans and events in 2023 and respond to requests for information from UNEP FI’s Africa & Middle East Coordinator.

Work Location Remote working

Expected duration 1 month

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 a strategic public-private partnership between UNEP and the global financial sector with over 450 members. For 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.

In addition, UNEP FI has a strategic objective to implement global programmes through regulatory engagement regional delivery of implementation support/knowledge sharing/capacity building, including in Europe. The regional work programme supports implementation of the key industry frameworks - the Principles for Responsible Banking and Principles for Sustainable Insurance.

The consultant will assist the implementation of UNEP FI’s strategy to mobilise sustainable finance in sub-Sahara Africa, focusing on Eastern, Central, Southern and Western Africa (in French and Portuguese speaking countries), working in co-operation with UNEP FI’s Middle East and North Africa coordinator. The consultant will coordinate with UNEP FI’s MENA regional coordinator to ensure joined-up member engagement and activities across Africa & the Middle East, particularly in providing insights into the sub-Saharan Africa membership, key stakeholders, status of sustainable finance agenda, policy and regulatory developments, priorities and updates on capacity building on PRB and PSI implementation on setting and implementing targets across the region. The coordinator will provide information on the pipeline of potential signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking and insurers to join the Principles for Sustainable Insurance. The consultant will provide a briefing on relationship management with UNEP FI members to engage them to participate in UNEP FI’s work programme, promote leadership, raise awareness, and share knowledge. The consultant provides partnership information and coordinate on engagement on climate-related activities. The consultant will provide an update on industry associations, regulators and supervisors, relevant networks, and other key stakeholders in the region, as well as providing information on events and meetings with financial institutions. The coordinator will support the Secretariat on member communications on sustainable finance in the region. The coordinator will provide the Secretariat with information on members’ priorities to accelerate sustainable finance market practice in Africa. The consultant will support the UN Environment Secretariat as required. E.g., briefings.

Overall objective:

a) Briefing to support regional coordination and member engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa b) Inputs provided for planning activities in Africa & the Middle East in 2023. c) Evidence base and market assessment on SSA landscape and recommendations on priorities to inform strategic planning. d) Planning for participation from SSA in Regional Roundtable, identifying priority issues for the region and supporting development of partnerships with other strategically important organizations in Africa. e) Members’ challenges and progress in implementing industry frameworks and targets identified. f) Continuity in engagement with membership and key stakeholders in the region. g) Information on PRB, PSI and thematic knowledge sharing, peer exchanges, technical assistance, events and workshops shared. h) Update provided on engagement of governance bodies through regional advisory group. i) Information on regulatory developments in the region provide context and inform planning. j) Inform Africa & Middle East coordinator of regional context, priorities and needs where relevant to enhance market impact of outputs

Tasks: l) Provide briefing to support regional coordination and member engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa m) Provide inputs for planning activities in Africa & the Middle East in 2023. n) Provide evidence base and market assessment on SSA landscape and recommendations on priorities to inform strategic planning. o) Contribute to planning for participation from SSA in Regional Roundtable, identifying priority issues for the region and supporting development of partnerships with other strategically important organizations in Africa. p) Identify members’ challenges and progress in implementing industry frameworks and targets identified. q) Provide update on engagement with membership and key stakeholders in the region. r) Provide information on activities for PRB, PSI and thematic knowledge sharing, peer exchanges, technical assistance, events and workshops shared. s) Provide update on engagement of governance bodies through regional advisory group. t) Provide information on regulatory developments in the region provide context and inform planning. u) Inform Africa & Middle East coordinator of regional context, priorities and needs where relevant to enhance market impact of outputs v) Respond to queries from UNEP FI Africa & Middle East Coordinator.

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head UNEP FI and report directly to the Regional Coordination and Membership Manager UNEP FI. The consultant will work in close cooperation with colleagues in the Secretariat, particularly the Africa & Middle East coordinator and regional, banking, insurance and thematic teams.

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

Professional Experience:

a) Required: At least 5 years’ experience of working with the financial services sector. Experience of building and managing relationships with external stakeholders. Experience of presenting and moderating conference calls and organising events/workshops. b) Desirable: 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 the Africa. Skilled in convening public and private sector stakeholders to create consensus or mobilise action. Ability to juggle varied work programmes, multiple projects and activities in an organized and timely manner; Excellent communication skills (listening, spoken and written). Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills. Ability to translate new and diverse ideas and concepts into tangible outcomes, to identify and prioritize common interests in a diverse set of point of views. The incumbent is expected to work independently with minimal supervision and must have significant latitude to be self-directed and be highly motivated. Problem solving ability skills are desirable. An established network of sustainable finance decision-makers /influencers/practitioners is desirable. Fluency in written and spoken English required.

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