UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Consultant – Vulnerable Twenty (V20) Sustainable Insurance Facility (SIF): Communications Officer

Result of Service The ultimate result of the services is the effective and efficient development, implementation and management of the V20 SIF communications strategy in line with the goals of the V20, PSI and UNEP FI.

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.

Endorsed by the UN Secretary-General and insurance industry CEOs, UNEP’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI) serve as a global framework for the insurance industry to address environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues such as climate change, nature loss, pollution, social inequality and human rights. The PSI is a global initiative to strengthen the insurance industry’s contribution as risk managers, insurers and investors to building resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities and economies on a healthy planet in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Paris Climate Agreement, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, and UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights.

The PSI is the largest collaborative initiative between the UN and the global insurance industry. Since its launch at the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), more than 200 organisations have joined the PSI, including insurers representing about one-third of world premium and USD 15 trillion in assets under management, and the most extensive global network of insurance and stakeholder organisations committed to addressing sustainability challenges. The PSI also hosts the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance and the Sustainable Insurance Facility of the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers (V20).

At the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the V20—55 climate-vulnerable economies with a total population of 1.4 billion—launched the V20-led Sustainable Insurance Facility (SIF). The SIF is a project pipeline development facility to assist V20 economies in scoping the financial protection needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)—the backbone of V20 economies. It aims to deliver climate-smart insurance solutions that would build the climate resilience of MSMEs and support the transition to net-zero economies. The SIF will facilitate project concept and proposal development under the leadership of V20 finance ministers.

The PSI-hosted SIF Project Office is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ).

Under the direction and supervision of the PSI Programme Leader, and working with the V20 SIF Global Coordinator and the UNEP FI Comms Lead, the Consultant will develop, implement and manage the V20 SIF communications strategy and contribute 20% of its time to the broader PSI initiative’s communications.

In doing so, the Consultant will liaise with the wider PSI/UNEP FI team, particularly the V20 SIF Project Team, PSI Programme Supervisor, PSI Communications Officer, the UNEP FI communications team. The Consultant will also liaise with Munich Climate Insurance Initiative, the communication staff of V20 and Insuresilience, UNEP FI regional coordinators as well as in-market project counterparts of V20 SIF.

V20 SIF communications global work programme

The Consultant will develop, implement and manage the V20 SIF communications strategy, within the broader PSI communications team, for the V20 SIF global work programme, currently comprising the following priority work streams:

a. Communications strategy

The overarching objective is to select and use effective communications to highlight problems of MSME underinsurance and to position V20 SIF as a conduit for positive change with public and private sector, generating action. Develop, measure, and update communications strategy in alignment with V20, InsuResilience, and UNEP FI communications areas.

b. Engagement

Convene, arrange, and document expert roundtable meetings at both the global and regional level with input of V20 SIF global and regional staff. This will include one global roundtable with the InsuResilience Secretariat and one roundtable per region, including InsuResilience and other donors, during each calendar year. It will also include V20 SIF advisory board meetings.

c. Publications

Produce whitepapers and reports regarding V20 SIF work with input and content from projects and SIF team. This will include one biennial SIF progress report in 2023 and one annual knowledge sharing paper per V20 region.

d. Social & external media

Develop and execute V20 SIF messaging via social and earned media placements. This will include managing SIF social media presence within the UNEP FI social media accounts, contributing to InsuResilience Communications, and positioning SIF as an expert source with news outlets.

Objectives:

Development, implementation and management of the V20 SIF communications strategy, including the following main output expectations:

• Analytics of communications channels indicate increase and show high level of engagement (e.g. social media, website)
• Communications campaigns show high level of engagement by external stakeholders (e.g. downloads of research and guidance)
• Communications coordinated with stakeholders
• High-quality communications outputs
• Communications amplified by key stakeholders
• Website content updated
• Multiple channels used to engage segmented target audience.
• Communications plan aligned with V20/PSI/UNEP FI/InsuResilience
• Core messaging developed and updated (e.g. pitch deck, brochure)
• Biennial V20 SIF report & annual regional whitepapers
• Advisory board meetings and other events

Specific tasks and responsibilities: - Internal communications: This refers to communications between V20 SIF and stakeholders including PSI/UNEP FI, V20, MCII, and InsuResilience. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

o Coordinate V20 SIF communications activities across stakeholders o Support V20 SIF work stream leads in communicating their work and outputs o Write and distribute communications and campaigns o Support across teams on communications planning and internal processes o Coordinate on communications campaigns with colleagues across projects and work streams

• External communications: This refers to the public positioning and messaging of the V20 SIF. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

o Design and implement a global communications strategy and action plan o Develop and maintain a strong brand for the V20 SIF o Develop and implement project and topic-related communications strategies o Develop communications products for messaging to key stakeholder groups (e.g. financial institutions, donors, governments, NGOs) o Develop a V20 SIF media strategy and support team members with press engagement, maintaining a high-quality media database and media monitoring reports as needed o Organise press conferences, press briefings, interviews and media events if appropriate o Develop and coordinate digital content for websites and social media to build external visibility o Oversee the development, production and distribution of V20 SIF communications materials (e.g. global announcements, press/media releases, publicity brochures, factsheets, policy papers, case studies, promotional videos, photographs, multimedia material) and recommend new communications products o Provide editorial support, including copy editing and proofreading when needed o Lead the promotion of V20 SIF publications and news in appropriate channels o Lead the preparation and coordination of service providers where applicable (e.g. designers, video producers) o Assist with the development of websites and other web requirements with the digital coordinator o Lead other external communications activities on behalf of V20 SIF as necessary

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the PSI Programme Leader and work with the UNEP FI Communications Lead.

Qualifications/special skills Education: Master university degree in communications, marketing, public/media relations, design, risk management, insurance, finance, business, environment, sustainable development, international relations or related fields. First degree could be taken in lieu of advanced degree provided the selected candidate has 7 years of relevant experience.

Professional Experience: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications or marketing, ideally in relation to the insurance industry and the wider financial sector (banking, investment), climate change and other sustainability issues. Up-to-date proficiency with communications best practices, including social media, is required. Proven knowledge and expertise in developing, implementing and managing communications strategies.

Proven excellent writing and editing skills. Please site examples, if available, of communications placed in media or managed.

Skills & Knowledge: Excellent oral and written communications skills, strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain good working relations in a multicultural and geographically dispersed environment. Strong knowledge and interest in risk management, insurance, finance, business and economics and their links with climate change and other sustainability issues.

We seek a person who is self-directed and ready to deliver diverse projects and activities in an effective, organized, and timely manner. Background in a start-up environment or business is preferred.

Languages Languages: English is the working language of the PSI and UNEP FI Secretariat, so oral and written fluency in English is required. Fluency in other languages, particularly official UN languages, is highly desirable.

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.