UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) – Technical Specialist Responsible Banking

Result of Service The outcomes of services will be to strengthen the UNEP FI network, and help member institutions to integrate sustainability into operations following the Principles for Responsible Banking requirements.

The services will also help promote sustainability into all aspects of the financial sector’s products and services to 1) enable banks to mobilize private investment in the SDGS in order to improve the access of developing countries to sustainable finance, especially in the V20, LDCs and SIDS; 2) offer technical support and inputs to workshops and materials for financial institutions to establish the systems needed to monitor the impacts of their financing and to set and deliver on ambitious targets aligned with the SDGs in Africa & the Middle East, Latin America & the Caribbean and Asia Pacific.

Work Location Working Remotely

Expected duration The duration of the contract should be for 6 Months.

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic public-private partnership between UNEP and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works with approximately 400 financial institutions, which are signatories to the UNEP FI Statements of Environmental Commitment, and a range of partners and organisations, to develop and promote linkages between the environment, sustainability and financial performance. Through its working groups and regional activities, comprehensive work programme, training and research, UNEP FI carries out its mission to identify, promote, and realise the adoption of best environmental and sustainability practice at all levels of financial institution strategies and operations.

UNEP FI requires a technical specialist to support impact analysis and target setting and establish system to monitor SDG financing. The role involves supporting implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking, working in coordination with Regional coordinators and 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.

Objectives - Support implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking through technical assistance provided through workshops, working groups, peer exchanges and one-to-one or small groups assistance to banking members. - Develop strategy to scale up technical support for implementation of the PRB through external partners. - Establish process to monitor target setting and financing for the SDGs to deliver on targets and positive SDG impacts across financial institutions (banking and insurance). - Deliver report on results of project in 2021 and SDG measurements.

Output expectations - Technical support enables banks to undertake impact analysis and set targets in line with the PRB requirements. - Strategy includes business plan to scale up technical assistance. - Establish process to monitor target setting and financing for SDGs to deliver on targets and SDG impacts from financial institutions (banking and insurance). - Deliver report on results of project in 2021 and SDG measurements in line with donor requirements.

Performance indicators - Performance indicators: o # of banks assisted o # of banks assisted that establish impact analysis and target setting in line with the PRB requirements o # of supporting institutions/partners supporting implementation - Effective system to monitor targets and financing for the SDGs aligned with related UNEP FI processes. - Overview of outcomes of 2021 capacity building programme.

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise for regional capacity building programme to help banks undertake impact analysis and target setting to finance the SDGs, working together with the Banking, SDGs & Impact, Training, Regional teams.
• Provide technical assistance to Principles for Responsible Banking signatories through workshops, working groups, peer exchanges and small groups assistance, focusing on impact analysis and setting and implementing targets. This will include one-to-one assistance/handholding and workshop inputs/support. Provide insights into how to interpret and act on impact analysis results to enhance banks’ understanding of how to operationalize impact analysis and target setting in line with PRB requirements.
• Provide technical inputs to the development of materials to support PRB implementation by banks, focusing on impact analysis, target setting, and working with clients and customers to implement targets.
• Develop a strategy to establish a technical assistance implementation support programme for banks to set up impact analysis systems and set and implement targets (e.g. through product development and client engagement to finance the SDGs).
• Develop business plan to scale up technical assistance to support implementation of the PRB through supporting institutions and other external partners and identify potential partners.
• Provide expertise and knowledge sharing on how banks can set and implement SDG-related targets to align strategies and portfolios with relevant global, regional or national policy and regulatory frameworks. Provide knowledge sharing on strategies and measures to implement targets, e.g. product development and engagement of clients and customers to achieve targets.
• Establish process to monitor target setting and financing for the SDGs to deliver on targets and positive SDG impacts across financial institutions (banking and insurance), building on existing UNEP FI Impact Analysis Tools, PRB reporting frameworks and related data management processes. Design a model to track financial flows for the SDGs.
• Deliver report on results of project in 2021 and SDG measurements.

The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head UNEP FI and report directly to the Programme Management Officer, UNEP FI. The consultant will with closely with colleagues in the Banking, SDGs & Impact, training and regional coordination teams.

Qualifications/special skills Skills: Proven relationship management skills, knowledge in the field of sustainable finance; knowledge/experience of the banking industry; ability to contribute to initiatives assessing bank related environmental and social impact and risks, including voluntary standards; ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a diplomatic, organised and timely manner; proven influencing skills; excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to organise and deliver written updates, events, management of conference calls and webinars; ability to be proactive and work independently.

Academic Qualifications: Master’s degree in business, sustainability or environment, finance, international relations, business administration or related fields, or equivalent experience.

Experience: At least 5 years of experience in banking or an international organisation or consultancy facilitating integration of sustainability in and finance. Experience in sustainable finance /ESG integration/implementing targets in a banking environment. Understanding of product development and/or client engagement/relationship management in banking desirable.

Language: 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.