UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) – Climate Lead Latin America & Caribbean (LAC)

Result of ServiceThe ultimate objective of the services is to build net zero institutional capacity for the financial services sector in Latin America & Caribbean and support banks and other financial institutions in the design and implementation of their climate mitigation journey. With that objective, the consultant will work directly with the UNEP FI climate, banking, and regional teams to conduct regional / country analysis of existing net zero capabilities to identify gaps and opportunities, scope and prioritise regional and country-specific net zero capacity-building needs, and plan and facilitate the delivery of net zero capacity-building activities by engaging and leveraging the capabilities of relevant UNEP FI and other strategic partners’ teams in line with the regional and country-specific capacity-building plan. The consultant will work closely with UNEP FI’s Climate Team, Banking Team and Regional Coordinators as well as other strategic partners. Work LocationWorking remotely Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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 Industry and 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 500 banks, insurers and investors. For over 32 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. UNEP FI needs a consultant to lead climate initiatives for commercial banks, insurers, and asset owners in Latin America & Caribbean. Specific tasks and responsibilities : The consultant will lead the following services: ● Lead bilateral and collective engagement with banks, insurers, and asset owners to raise awareness and build capacity across the climate mitigation journey, by engaging and leveraging existing capabilities of relevant UNEP FI and other strategic partners’ teams. ● Conceptualise and develop regional / country analysis of existing net zero capabilities to identify gaps and opportunities to advance institutional capacity across the different areas of financial decarbonisation. ● Develop a climate plan for the region and lead the delivery of that plan in collaboration with other UNEP FI teams and partners. ● Engage bilaterally with banks and provide tailored advisory on how they can advance their climate capabilities all the way from impact analysis and climate risk management to Paris Alignment and transition planning. ● Engage with relevant parties to deliver climate capacity-building activities for banks, insurers, and asset owners in line with the plan to build institutional capacity across the stages of climate mitigation journey. ● Deliver peer-to-peer learning activities on financial decarbonisation in line with the plan. ● Represent UNEP FI climate team on country and regional events, positioning UNEP FI’s climate offering and assets. ● Build relationships with new partners and potential UNEP FI members. ● Prepare reporting materials: evaluations of strengths and weaknesses and insights for planning 2025. Outputs and Deliverables: ● Regional / Country Analyses (as per the stages of the journey) ● Regional Climate Plan (as per the stages of the journey) ● Country-Tailored Capacity-Building (as per the stages of the journey) workshops and other forms of capacity-building and technical assistance. ● Country-Tailored Training Materials (as per the stages of the journey) ● 1-2-1 engagement with FIs The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI, and report directly to the Climate Team Lead. The consultant will work closely with Climate Mitigation & Banking Lead, UNEP FI and other UNEP FI programme and regional teams; and aligned with the internal governance where workplans and activities are approved. Qualifications/special skillsEducation: A bachelor’s degree in finance, banking, economic development, sustainable finance, climate finance, climate technologies, sustainable development, international relations, political sciences, or a related field. Professional Experience: At least six (6) years of working experience with financial institutions in net zero, climate finance and/or in relevant capacity building/training work. LanguagesLanguages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese is desirable. Additional InformationSkills & Knowledge: ● Thorough knowledge of the climate mitigation agenda for the financial services sector, including emerging trends and best practices on net zero for commercial banks and financial institutions more broadly. ● Deep understanding of climate mitigation concepts for the financial services sector including understanding of physical and transition risks for financial institutions, carbon accounting, climate commitment frameworks, international sustainable finance taxonomies, target-setting methodologies, climate scenarios, sectoral reduction trajectories and transition planning. ● Familiarity with regional climate mitigation pathways, tools, frameworks, and resources available for financial institutions in the region. ● Familiarity with UNEP FI’s climate mitigation initiatives, tools and frameworks including the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), the Net Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA) and GFANZ guidelines on Transition Planning for financial institutions. ● Experience in developing and delivering technical support / training and capacity-building activities, ideally with banks or with other financial institutions. ● Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to engage with a variety of stakeholders including NGOs, international and domestic organizations, and authorities to foster partnerships. ● Excellent planning and project management skills. ● Strong interpersonal and communications skills. No FeeTHE 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.