UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) – Communications Consultant, Nature & Adaptation & Resilience Collaborative Initiative

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 210 banks collectively holding USD 53 trillion in assets, or one third of the global banking sector, 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).

UNEP FI has an Ecosystems/Nature workstream that includes research and engagement with financial institutions on financing for a sustainable blue economy and sustainable land use, and will expand its focus on sustainable finance for food systems. The climate workstream includes work on adaptation including a new initiative, the Adaptation & Resilience Investors Collaborative which requires communications support.

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 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 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 assist with all their communications requirements, including digital, web-based, and print and currently does not have the relevant professional expertise internally.

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 and Remco Fischer, UNEP FI Climate Lead in close cooperation with the Communications Team the consultant will carry out the following project tasks as shown below in 3.2 below. The consultant will Support UNEP FI’s outreach and communications to the General and Nature membership and the wider finance industry via online communications, social media, email campaigns, press relations, etc. The consultant will work with other parts of the UNEP FI team on cross-cutting work.

The consultant will provide assistance in the following project/tasks for UNEP FI’s communications work:

• Write content for, update and assist management of UNEP FI’s website
• Assist with upgrade of existing members’ area and improvements to UNEP FI’s website
• Assist with the management of, and produce content for four social media channels in coordination with communications colleagues and other members of the UNEP FI secretariat
• Assist with the production of monthly newsletters for UNEP FI’s members and ad hoc mailings
• Assist with outreach to media on key projects and events
• Assist with production of web and social media analysis
• Assist with management of UNEP FI’s members-only LinkedIn group
• Assist with management of and ensure the quality of work of external contractors where relevant
• Maintain list of design work and liaise with designer to ensure timings and workload is feasible
• Ensure team lead approval prior to publishing outputs (e.g. OpEds, articles and briefings, new campaigns etc.)
• Create a system/ process to better capture and promote ad-hoc and external social media posting requests (e.g. external publications and team members’ speaking engagements at industry events)
• Assist with development of an integrated communications and media plan including key messaging for the Nature team’s project work such as communications around progress on the ENCORE framework and tool, the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Provide comms support to the SECO-funded ENCORE phase II project on related themes, working with Global Canopy, UNEP-WCMC and other partners as relevant.
• Develop and execute an integrated communications and media plan including key messaging for the Adaptation & Resilience Investors Collaborative and to cover communications plans for the initiative’s work at COP28, the Finance in Common event, a G7 report launch and communications support for ad hoc reports.
• Coordinate engagement with communications contacts at the Adaptation & Resilience Investors Collaborative.
• Developing communications assets for launches related to Food Systems (jointly between Nature and Climate themes at UNEP FI).
• Develop and execute a comms plan for Nature content for COP28 and other relevant international conferences.

Outputs and Deliverables:

• Enhanced communications with members and other stakeholders such as the media via improved newsletter content and updates and regular email campaigns
• Quality social media content ensuring consistent tone
• Content calendar for UNEP FI and UNEP websites
• Gather statistics and feedback to improve communications
• Media list and analytics maintained
• Communications campaigns calendar and planning maintained
• Manage calendar of publications, ensuring it is strategically aligned to the comms plan, ensure an understanding of the publications process and help monitor teams’ submissions
• Clear and effective communications materials produced.
• Deliver communications on Nature and adaptation.

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 Nature team, as well as with the climate team.

Qualifications/special skills Education: A University degree in communications, marketing, PR, media, international relations, business, event management, Administration, public relations or a related field.

Professional Experience: At least three year’s working experience in communications, PR, or marketing. Up-to-date proficiency with communications best practices, including digital communications particularly social media. Experience in using webinar and online meeting platforms, online content management systems (ideally Wordpress), social media packages such as Hootsuite and Canva.

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. Knowledge of social media and virtual communications channels is desirable, as is experience of writing copy for social media, online articles and press releases. The consultant is expected to support colleagues in implementing communications strategies and work plans. The consultant should have the ability to establish and maintain good working relations in a multicultural and geographically dispersed team working across functions. A hands-on, pragmatic approach is desirable. An interest in sustainable finance for oceans/blue economy, adaptation and land use/food systems is desirable.

Languages Languages: 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.