UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) - Sustainable Land Use Associate for LAC

Result of Service Through these services the Initiative will be able to engage a broad range of financial institutions, including commercial banks, insurers, and multi-lateral development banks and agencies in implementing global finance sector principles to catalyse 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 270 banks representing over 45% of banking assets, 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).

The consultant will contribute with the sustainable finance hub with members in Latin America & the Caribbean. The outcomes of services will be to strengthen the UNEP FI Latin American and Caribbean regional network, and help UNEP FI achieve its goals as set in its UNEP project documents and Principles for Responsible Banking. The consultant will also engage actors in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina to promote the IFACC initiative, and to strength the interlinkages between Net Zero & Land use, especially for deforestation/conversion-free (DCF).

The services will also help promote sustainability into all aspects of the financial sector’s products and services. Finally, the services will help the Initiative to broaden its outreach both within UNEP / UN and external to banks, insurers, governments, regulators, private sector and multi-stakeholders, including supporting institutions.

The consultant will also support UNEP and UNEP FI’s projects including Building the capacity of financial institutions to set and deliver on ambitious targeted outcomes for mobilizing private investment in the SDGs, focusing on implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking and thematic Target Guidance e.g. Guidance for Biodiversity /Nature Targets.

Work Location Working remotely. (With meetings in Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Expected duration The duration of contract is 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 400 banks, insurers, and investors. For over 29 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 also supports the Innovative Finance for the Amazon, Cerrado, and Chaco (IFACC), a new initiative that aims to catalyze innovative finance mechanisms for expanding soy and cattle production with deforestation and conversion-free principles in the Brazilian Amazon Cerrado and the Chaco regions of Paraguay and Argentina.

IFACC’s goal is to work with companies, banks, and investors to commit by 2023 to a total of USD 3 billion of investment in beef and soy production models that are decoupled from deforestation and conversion of natural habitats, by focusing on creating the necessary financial incentives and enabling environment to make the transition to sustainable production and the financing thereof compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement and the SDGs. To reach it, the initiative expects to accelerate the flow of capital to small-scale farmers and big producing companies from banks, development finance institutions, traders, and input companies to move to deforestation-free and conversion-free soy and cattle production. Stimulating transactions through organizing interactions and dialogues between lenders, investors, agribusinesses, and farmer organizations with lessons learned from successful transactions, innovative ideas and insights for overcoming barriers, and connections to concessionary capital groups and other financial partners that can help manage risk.

Establishing new norms for lending and investing in deforestation/conversion-free (DCF) soy and cattle, aimed at giving greater market transparency and enabling the creation of a track record of loans and investments that adhere to the same essential environmental and social impact criteria.

The Nature Conservancy, the Tropical Forest Alliance, and the United Nations Environment Program are all leading institutions in this space with highly complementary capabilities, which creates a unique opportunity to achieve the goal of $3 billion in commitments and $200 in disbursements by 2023.

UNEP FI requires a consultant to work with Latin America & the Caribbean network. The role involves relationship management with financial institutions, communications, membership development, outreach, event management and coordination with UNEP FI’s Secretariat to achieve UNEP FI’s mission to accelerate the development of financial institutions that integrate sustainability and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals; and to promote IFACC initiative in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

Objectives:

• Engage the financial sector and relevant actors in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina to promote the IFACC initiative, and to strength the interlinkages between Principles for Responsible Banking, Net Zero Banking Alliance and Land use, especially for deforestation/conversion-free (DCF).
• Support local communication for IFACC initiative.
• Provide a comprehensive approach to identify opportunities to expand financing for the sustainable production of beef and soy in the Amazon, Cerrado, and Chaco biomes of South America, set SMART targets and monitor KPIs.
• Support implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking following existing Guidances, e.g Climate, Resource efficiency, Biodiversity
• Support regional awareness raising and engagement on regional priorities of global work program.

Tasks:

• Initial mapping of actors and forums to be engaged to present this initiative.
• Build upon IFACC´s mapping and identify other actors and forums that might be relevant to scale up the initiative
• Promote outreach dialogues with potential IFACC signatories
• Engage at least 15 institutions from Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina to encourage them to join IFACC.
• Prepare a brief concept note of the linkage between Net Zero and Land use, especially for deforestation/conversion-free (DCF), presenting market barriers and opportunities. The concept note should also underline how financial institutions can meet Net Zero commitments by reducing deforestation from their portfolio and provide Scope 3 emissions monitoring strategies for specific agricultural portfolios. The concept note can include illustrative examples and should be aligned with Net Zero Banking Alliance and Nature teams at UNEP FI.
• Evaluate impact indicators proposed by IFACC and make recommendations considering UNEP FI guidelines (Guidance for Climate Targets and Biodiversity Targets)
• Support communication activities: translations, events, and webinars. UNEP and UNEP FI (global) will deliver the communication strategy that should be adapted for the regional context and translated to Spanish and Portuguese.
• Deliver a final report with findings and recommendations considering previous activities.
• Support implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking considering existing Guidances, e.g Climate, Resource efficiency, Biodiversity
• Support regional awareness raising and engagement on regional priorities of global work program (webinars, workshops, peer to peer exchange)
• Support UNEP FI membership including building the capacity of financial institutions to set and deliver on ambitious targeted outcomes for mobilizing private investment in the SDGs, focusing on implementation of the Principles for Responsible for Climate, Biodiversity and Resource Efficiency Targets.

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Programme Management Officer, UNEP FI. The consultant will with closely with colleagues in LAC, the regional coordination team, industry and thematic teams and communications and events colleagues.

Qualifications/special skills Skills: - An understanding of drivers of climate action and sustainable land use in the financial sector - Skilled in convening public and private sector stakeholders to create consensus or mobilize action. - Ability to translate new and diverse ideas and concepts into tangible outcomes and identify and prioritize common interests from various points of view. - Capacity to work independently with minimal supervision and must have significant latitude to be self-directed and highly motivated. - Communication skills and ability to leverage an established network of sustainable finance decision-makers, influencers, and practitioners is desirable. - Problem-solving skills are desirable.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors’ language, tone, style, and format match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts by final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to the client.

Academic Qualifications: A Master’s degree is required in economics and finance, business, international relations, environmental studies, and climate change. A Bachelor’s degree may also be acceptable with at least 9 years of relevant experience.

Experience: Proven knowledge and experience for at least 7 years in sustainable land use and climate finance is required, preferably in the financial sector.

Language: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Fluency in written and spoken English and Portuguese required. Fluency in written and spoken Spanish preferred.

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.