UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) – Governance & Membership Engagement Consultant

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Sunday 27 Nov 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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Result of Service The frameworks UNEP FI is supporting implementation include Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) now committed to by more than 300 banks representing over 45% of banking assets and it’s important to have in place the best governance practices and support the member on their PRB implementation. The consultant should have the ultimate result of services:

  • Provide the UNEP FI Secretariat with support in managing the Banking Board and the Civil Society Advisory Body and aligning with Net-Zero Banking Alliance Steering Group.

  • Provide the UNEP FI Secretariat with support in membership engagement and relationship: onboarding process and monitoring the member’s journey

  • Provide the UNEP FI Secretariat with support in managing data, surveys and other data sources to create intelligence for the PRB strategy/implementation

    Work Location Geneva, Switzerland (Remote working may be negotiated)

    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 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.

UNEP FI’s Banking Team is responsible for the initiative’s work with its over 330 member banks in more than 80 countries around the world. This includes overseeing and supporting the implementation of 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.

UNEP FI is looking for a consultant to manage governance bodies, support membership relationships, and manage data intelligence to support PRB implementation and strategy.

Governance bodies: The governance bodies for the Principles for Responsible Banking are the UNEP FI’s Banking Board, which oversees the effective implementation of the PRB, and the Civil Society Advisory Body, the forum for meaningful and collective engagement between wider civil society and the signatories to the PRB. The consultant will manage the governance bodies supporting engagement and voting processes, working closely with the board members, setting meetings and discussions with governance bodies and providing insights into PRB strategy.

Membership engagement and relationship: UNEP FI is aiming to increase the percentage of global assets represented by Signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking, with a focus on larger banks that are key players in their respective markets. While the outreach and engagement to achieve this lies with UNEP FI’s membership relations & regional coordination team, there is a need for close coordination and information flow between UNEP FI’s banking team and the membership relations & regional coordination team. Furthermore, the membership engagement coordination team plays a crucial role in relaying information and providing guidance on implementation to signatories and supporting on effective implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking. The consultant will work closely with UNEP FI’s banking team and regional coordinators to support the outreach, onboarding process, monitor the member’s journey and provide necessary guidance for the PRB implementation.

Data Intelligence PRB signatories publish annual progress reports, answer annual surveys and give feedback for our global and regional activities. On the other hand, the governance bodies provide valuable feedback and insights for the PRB strategy. All those relevant data should be managed and the consultant should coordinate data intelligence to support PRB strategy through existing data, surveys and interaction with governance bodies and regional coordinators.

Overall objectives:

  • The Principles for Responsible governance bodies are able to carry out their work effectively, thanks to adequate management and support to this body by the UNEP FI Secretariat. Ensure close and effective engagement between UNEP FI’s Banking Board, the Principles for Responsible Banking Signatories and the Civil Society Advisory Body, and alignment with the Net-Zero Banking Alliance Steering Group.

  • Provide the UNEP FI Secretariat with support in onboarding new signatories and engaging with potential ones; and coordinate the onboarding process and monitor the member’s journey for the PRB implementation. Banks should have a clear understanding of the requirements and timeline to implement the Principles for Responsible Banking requirements.

  • Coordinate data intelligence to support PRB strategy through existing data, surveys and interaction with governance bodies and regional coordinators.

  • UNEP FI’s banking team and the membership relations & regional coordination team collaborate closely and effectively and through support, materials, information and regular updates the regional coordinators are enabled to carry out their work successfully.

Output expectations:

Governance bodies: - Provide the UNEP FI Secretariat with support in managing the Banking Board and the Civil Society Advisory Body, as well as align with Net-Zero Banking Alliance Steering Group. - Support the engagement and voting process for new members - Organize meetings, materials, papers and notes for both governance bodies and monitor follow-up activities and discussions o Banking Board has met at least once every two months. Meetings are well prepared for, and co-chairs are briefed timeously. Meeting notes are circulated, and follow-ups are undertaken. o Civil Society Advisory Body has engaged with the Signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking and the Banking Board at least two times, including an in-person meeting.

Membership engagement and relationship: - Provide the UNEP FI Secretariat with support in onboarding new Signatories and engaging with potential ones. - Coordinate the onboarding process with continuous improvements - Monitor the member’s journey and organize workshops, webinars or other activities to support PRB implementation (standardized activities) in coordination with other Banking team members and regional coordinators. - UNEP FI’s regional coordinators have received the support and materials to effectively support the implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking in the respective regions, and plan and deliver successful, well-attended Regional Roundtables

Data management & intelligence - Manage datasets and dashboards to monitor member’s journey - Establish processes to evaluate existing activities and work with UNEP FI secretariat on our annual membership survey - Manage data, survey and other data sources to create intelligence for the PRB strategy/implementation

Tasks:

- Support the organization of at least six Banking Board meetings which involves scheduling and invitation, logistics for in-person or virtual meetings, agenda, background paper and presentation slide developments, monitoring of the meeting proceedings and meeting summary preparation and dissemination. - Support the organization of at least two joint Banking Board and Civil Society Advisory meetings which involves scheduling and invitation, logistics for in-person or virtual meetings, agenda, background paper and presentation slide developments, monitoring of the meeting proceedings and meeting summary preparation and dissemination. - Lead the management of the Banking Board and Civil Society Advisory Body election process, including the self-nomination process, the voting process, and the onboarding process of new Governance members. - Support succession planning of governance body members and performance reviews (attendance, decision-making). - Support effective monitoring of governance decisions to ensure consistency and reporting on implementation. - Liaise with the members of governance bodies as appropriate to support meetings. - Maintain a forward-looking meeting calendar. - Support onboarding calls with signatories and engagement with potential ones. - Coordinate the onboarding process with continuous improvements - Monitor the member’s journey and organize workshops, webinars or other activities to support PRB implementation (standardized activities) in coordination with other Banking team members and regional coordinators. - Manage datasets and dashboards to monitor member’s journey - Establish processes to evaluate existing activities and work with the UNEP FI Secretariat on our annual membership survey - Manage data, surveys, and other data sources to create intelligence for the PRB strategy/implementation

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Banking Lead UNEP FI and report directly to the Banking Governance & Membership sub-lead, UNEP FI. The consultant will work closely with colleagues in the banking, governance, thematic and industry teams.

Qualifications/special skills Academic background: Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, international relations, environmental studies, Administration, project management or related field.

Experience: At least five years of professional experience in sustainable finance and stakeholder engagement and management. Desirable experience in the banking sector and understanding of drivers of sustainability in the financial sector.

Knowledge of governance best practices within public or private sector setting and experience in managing senior executives, designing mechanisms for the implementation of governance best practice, arranging and preparing for senior-level meetings, including preparing agendas, notes of decisions and papers, and ensuring documentation is disseminated on time and in accordance with policy and procedures.

Experience on engaging with different stakeholders and proven track record of a diplomatic approach and the confidence to influence and negotiate with professionals at all levels (including Board Members), evidence of integrity and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information and understanding of risk management.

Experience of interpreting governance document, data and other source of materials to support development and appraisal/performance review systems, and information analysis for the decision making processes.

Skills: Strong relationship management and oral communication skills and excellent written communication skills for report, minute, and agenda writing, document editing and general correspondence.

Ability to interpret data and provide insights for the decision-making processes

Proven ability to manage several processes simultaneously, with the ability to plan, manage and prioritise a number of activities. Well-organized and able to plan processes and foresee steps required to achieve agreed outcomes. Reliable - delivers consistently high quality within agreed timeframes.

Languages Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Knowledge of other official UN 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.

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