UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) – Banking Team Assistant

Result of Service The Banking Team Assistant will be responsible for assisting with necessary tasks for the effective roll out of the Banking work programme, the effective delivering of feedback & support meetings to PRB Signatory Banks, and following up on PRB report submissions.

Work Location Geneva, Switzerland

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 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’s Banking Team is responsible for the initiative’s work with its over 400 member banks in more than 60 countries around the world. This includes overseeing and supporting the implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking.

About the Principles for Responsible Banking: On 22nd September 2019, UNEP FI member banks representing USD 47 trillion and with that over a third of the global banking industry officially signed and launched the Principles for Responsible Banking together with UN Secretary-General Guterres. The Principles for Responsible Banking guide the change towards a new, sustainable global banking industry that takes on a key role in helping society to achieve its goals for a sustainable future. With these Principles, banks commit to strategically align their business with and scale up their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate. The Principles are supported by a strong implementation framework that defines clear accountabilities and requires each bank to set, publish and work towards ambitious targets and report publicly on their positive and negative impacts and progress in implementing their commitments. Banks that are not in line with their commitments can be removed from the list of signatories.

In order to ensure that the Banking Team can provide effective implementation support to the member banks and execute the Principles’ accountability mechanisms, including the annual review meetings between the UNEP FI Secretariat and each Signatory Bank, UNEP FI is looking for a Team Assistant.

The Banking Team Assistant would:

a) support the Banking Team Lead and the Banking Team overall by: a. supporting the Banking Team Lead in her day-to-day tasks, managing her schedule and liaising with internal and external partners and stakeholders b. organizing Banking Team retreats and supporting the organization of other Banking events as needed c. collaborating closely with UNEP FI’s Admin Team and supporting HR, administrative and budgetary processes for the Banking Team d. organizing the weekly Banking Team meetings e. in general, assisting with necessary tasks for the effective roll out of the Banking work programme b) support the Review Team in: a. Managing the calendar for individual feedback and support meetings to Signatory Banks, engaging with banks and the Review Team to organize these meetings b. Following up with banks on the submission of their PRB reporting, tracking and updating the database.

Objectives & Expectations: The Banking Team Assistant is responsible for providing support to the Banking Team by ensuring all Principles for Responsible Banking Signatories are submitting their reporting in time, individual feedback and support meetings are scheduled within the provided timeframes, and the Team Lead and overall Banking Team receive effective organizational and administrative support.

Outputs: - The calendar for the individual feedback and support meetings is executed in accordance with the monthly and annual planning. - The submission of the banks’ annual reports is overseen, and the Governance requirements are timely executed when needed. - Support to the Banking Team Lead in her day-to-day tasks, managing her schedule and liaising with internal and external partners and stakeholders. - Organization of Banking Team retreats and supporting the organization of other Banking events as needed. - Support for Banking Team HR, administrative and budgetary processes in close collaboration with UNEP FI’s Admin Team and supporting. - Well-organized weekly team meetings. - Assistance with necessary tasks for the effective rollout of the Banking work programme.

Specific tasks and responsibilities: - Follow up with banks on the submission of their PRB reporting, tracking and updating the Secretariat database. Provide regular updates on status of PRB reports received, and outstanding with recommendations for required next steps where banks’ reports are overdue. - Manage the calendar for planned individual feedback and support meetings (book meetings engaging with banks and the Review Team). Provide regular updates on how the monthly planning is being executed and suggest changes to guarantee the delivery of the annual planning. - Supporting the Banking Team Lead in her day-to-day tasks, managing her schedule and liaising with internal and external partners and stakeholders - Organizing Banking Team retreats and supporting the organization of other Banking events as needed - Collaborating closely with UNEP FI’s Admin Team and supporting HR, administrative and budgetary processes for the Banking Team - Organizing the weekly Banking Team meetings - In general, assisting with necessary tasks for the effective roll out of the Banking work programme

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of the UNEP Finance Initiative. The consultant will report directly to the Banking Team Lead as well as the Review Team Lead.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Background: Minimum bachelor’s degree, in international relations, management, business studies, social sciences, law, environmental studies or related field.

Experience: At least 3 years of previous work experience performing tasks relevant to this position, such as administrative tasks, organizational support, relationship management, team and/or personal assistance, or similar. Have experience or expertise in sustainable finance, know the key topics and concepts and key actors and understand how UNEP FI’s work relates to these.

Skills & Knowledge: Motivated and driven by the purpose the team is working towards and the impacts they are trying to achieve. Enjoys supporting colleagues, client-oriented in working.

Very organized and structured, 100% reliable, diligent and complete all tasks with high quality and attention to detail. Keen to work in a dynamic environment, proactive and continuously strive to improve work processes and products. Grasp new subject matters quickly and absorb and structure new information with ease.

Proficient in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams and Share Point. Have excellent written and verbal communication and can adapt communication style to a variety of audiences.

Respectful, friendly and tactful and quickly gain people’s trust. Have a can-do attitude and enjoy problem-solving. Have worked with different cultures, ideally in an international setting.

Languages Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Excellent writing skills are required. Knowledge of other 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.