UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Investor Agenda Project Consultant

Result of Service UNEP FI actively contributes to and shapes the global investor agenda on climate change, via participation in ICAPs workstream, content leadership, and mainstreaming of climate topics through investment industry.

Work Location Working remotely

Expected duration 10 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.

The Contractor will work at UNEP FI with the planning, delivery, monitoring and communication of UNEP FI activities in the investment & climate change domain.

Specifically, the Contractor will perform the following tasks: - Consolidate and provide technical inputs for UNEP FI to the 2 working groups of the Investor Agenda (Investor Climate Action Plans and Policy Working Groups) - Support communications and coordination between the UNEP FI Secretariat and the 6 other organizations in the Investor Agenda network - Facilitate communications that relate to the Investor Agenda between the UNEP FI Secretariat and the UNEP FI membership, as well as vis-a-vis the general public, under the direction of the supervisor - Contribute to the participation of the Head of UNEP FI in all such Investor Agenda-related interactions that take place at CEO level. - Coordinate engagement for Investor Agenda events on behalf of UNEP FI including UN SG Climate Summit, COP 28, G7 and G20 contributions

Objectives: - UNEP FI actively contributions to Investor Agenda working groups, leading on content development for the ICAPs working group - UNEP FI visibly participates in all events and roundtables pertaining to the Investor Agenda - UNEP FI responds to Investor Agenda related requests and queries in a timely fashion - The UNEP FI Secretariat communicates with its membership on all matters related to the Investor Agenda in a timely and efficient manner - UNEP FI actively participates in the scoping of the Multiyear Programme Plan of the Investor Agenda

(cover all aspects of work to be done, and do not use a table here)

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

• Finalise the ICAPs WG implementation plan for 2023, including setting key priorities for resources and capacity available and tracking progress against this workplan
• Undertake a detailed gap analysis of the ICAPs documents against latest guidance from UNSG HLEG, Race to Zero, GFANZ, EU, NZ alliances and UK TPT on transition plan frameworks.
• Development and presentation of a new ICAPs masterclass series, leading up to COP28, in coordination with PRI and CDP.
• UNEP FI contributions to the update of the ICAPs Expectations, including links to materials from UNEP and/or UN-convened net zero alliances to ensure alignment
• Development of case studies, blogs and website materials to promote ICAPs while ensuring appropriate linkages to UNEP FI work wherever possible and relevant.
• Lead UNEP FI engagement on fundraising for the Investor Agenda, including pulling together relevant UNEP FI materials and reporting for current and prospective funders
• Publication of further ICAPs case studies, showcasing not only adopters of ICAPs but also leading best practice examples of ICAPs investors.
• Ongoing coordination of ICAPs Working Group meetings in collaboration with the Chair. This will include setting the meeting agendas, tracking and circulating reports on ICAPs Working Group progress, and liaising with key stakeholders including the Investor Agenda Central Implementation Team, other WG chairs and UNEP FI leadership
• Track investor engagement on ICAPs across all network partners, including a review of the quality and depth of investor outreach.
• Collection of data across the Investor Agenda list of the Top 100 investors and development of another market assessment to review progress of the Top 100 against the ICAPs focus areas for 2023.

The consultant shall be under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, and overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI.

Qualifications/special skills Education: The Contractor should have a master’s University degree in economics, finance, environmental studies, international relations, business administration or related fields. A First degree could be taken in lieu of advanced degree provided the selected candidate has 9 years of relevant experience.

Professional Experience: The Contractor should have experience working with companies, ideally financial institutions, to assess their climate impact and develop strategies and KPI to achieve climate alignment. At least 7 years of experience in international organisations, academia, the financial services sector, private sector or NGOs are required examining the intersection between sustainable development - particularly climate change, infrastructure, policy and financial risk & opportunity.

Skills & Knowledge: The Contractor should have proven skills in building and managing relationships with a variety of private and public stakeholders. Ability to work in a multicultural environment; to discern common denominators in a diverse set of point of views; to rapidly capture ideas, synthesize and translate concepts into real outputs. Ability to cope with comprehensive work programmes, multiple projects and activities in an organized and timely manner. Excellent communication skills, spoken and written. Knowledge on sustainable finance trends, risks and opportunities, with a focus on social issues. Desired in- depth knowledge on finance and human rights trends, industry processes and UN-related mechanisms.

The Contractor should have a proven and established track record on climate-change-related assessments and analyses, particularly from a financial services perspective. S/he should have in-depth knowledge of the various emerging approaches and methodologies to measure and set targets on climate alignment of financial, ideally banking, portfolios. S/he should equally be familiar with the relevant ongoing discussions and institutions involved in this space. S/he should have a deep understanding of topics at the interface of climate change (or similar environmental challenges) and corporate/financial strategies.

Should be experienced in facilitating collaborative working groups with different stakeholder types, particularly on the theme and challenge of climate change, and particularly in the financial services industry.

Languages Languages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. English is mandatory for this consultancy. 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.