UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) – Project Coordinator for Costa Rica

Result of ServiceThe purpose of this consultancy is to perform the role of project coordinator of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Costa Rica with the Paris agreement climate change goals ” whose main objective is to provide the guiding structure for the financial sector to: (1) mobilize private capital flows towards a low-emission and climate-resilient economy and; (2) strengthen the resilience of the financial system to climate-related financial risks. The Project Coordination will work in close coordination with the Project Coordination Support Consultant, who is also under the Project Coordination Unit, all individual technical consultants, hired under the project, and other internal partners (technical teams of other areas of UNEP FI involved in the execution of the project). The Project Technical Coordinator will build a smooth relationship with members of the local financial actors and authorities and of the workstreams, working groups, and technical roundtables created under this with whom must work in close coordination and articulation; hence, acting as a coordination focal point for the project´s workstreams and working groups, and technical roundtables. The Project Coordinator will act under the guidance of the UNEP Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region to refer major executive project decisions to the Project Steering Committee (PSC). Work LocationSan José, Costa Rica / Home-based Expected duration2 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 delivering resources to advance sustainable finance and regional activities, peer learning, 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. Global policy and regulatory measures on sustainable finance have increased substantially over the recent years. Public policy critically affects the ability of finance institutions to generate sustainable positive and reduce negative impacts through financing decisions. It affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental and economic systems. Sustainable finance policies have become central to enabling and accelerating a successful transition. UNEP FI's activities in in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region contribute to expand the regional sustainable finance market with the aim to attract private capital towards environmentally sustainable investments. Working on policy and regulatory developments in the LAC region provides a unique opportunity for UNEP FI’s Policy Team to consolidate its position as a leading advocate for sustainable finance globally. In addition, UNEP FI has been mandated by several Member States to support the development of policy and regulatory frameworks in the LAC region including contributing to several Multilateral Policy Platforms on Sustainable Finance. In 2022, the GCF board approved the GCF Readiness Proposal “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Costa Rica with the Paris Agreement climate change goals”. The National Designed Authority (NDA) in Costa Rica, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), has nominated UNEP to be its Delivery Partner for this proposal. UNEP FI´s is looking for a Project Coordinator for the GCF Readiness Project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Costa Rica with the Paris Agreement climate change goals”. The Project Coordinator Support Consultant for the GCF Readiness Project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Costa Rica with the Paris Agreement climate change goals” will be under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC. Additionally, he/she will work in with national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. The Project Coordinator for the GCF Readiness Project in Costa Rica will work 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, full time and he/she will be in San José, Costa Rica. The incumbent will directly report to the UNEP Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region A Project Coordination Unit (PCU) has been established under the direct supervision of UNEP FI with the responsibility of managing the project’s day-to-day activities, including providing the necessary strategic guidance and technical support to the startup, implementation, and closure of the project. The PCU’s objective will be to manage, coordinate, and follow up the activities established under the approved proposal and must be led by a project coordinator. The Project Coordinator has the overall responsibility of conducting the project towards the achieving of project results/activities/deliverables as defined in the approved project document and in the agreed workplans through timely and quality implementation, monitoring and reporting. Objectives: The purpose of this consultancy is to perform the role of project coordination of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Costa Rica with the Paris agreement climate change goals” whose main objective is to provide the guiding structure for the financial sector to: (1) mobilize private capital flows towards a low-emission and climate-resilient economy and; (2) strengthen the resilience of the financial system to climate-related financial risks. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The Project Coordinator, will perform the following tasks, but are not limited to: A. Project Planning and Implementation: - Ensure effective management of the project by maintaining delivery of proper technical, operational, financial, and administrative outputs, while tracking the project progress through monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. - Build, motivate, and lead a high-performing project team; coordinate the work and deliverables of the Project Coordinator Support Consultant hired under the PCU, individual technical consultants hired under the TT, other internal partners (technical areas of UNEP FI directly involved in the execution), as well as external service providers; lead and coach the project team in both substantial and operational issues. - Provide background information and technical inputs on all completed deliverables to be submitted and approved by the UNEP Programme Management Committee on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region and the Project Steering Committee (PSC), ensuring high quality, and satisfactory management and use of GCF/UNEP resources. - Regularly monitor and report on project performance and delivery to the UNEP Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region, GCF Focal Point and the UNEP Task Manager, including progress, achievements, challenges encountered and proposed corrective actions. - Ensure the development of cross-project linkages with other relevant projects and programmes for mutually reinforcing impact; and - Participate in national, regional, and global conferences when necessary. B. Building Strategic Partnerships: - Facilitate collaborative and consultative processes with all key stakeholders to ensure the involvement of government and other stakeholders (including national and local authorities, non-government organizations, academia, and private sector actors) in the development of project deliverables and results. - Prepare the work and facilitate the meetings and communications to and from the different bodies created under the Project; act as a secretary for the Project Steering Committee (PSC); develop the agenda for the PSC meetings and prepares all technical background documentation in consultation with the other partners, following the general direction of the UNEP Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region. - Establishing effective linkages with other relevant projects and initiatives in the sector with a view to developing substantive partnerships and generating synergies. - Identifying opportunities for deepening the cooperation and recommending adequate approaches to dealing with different stakeholders based on information on all relevant stakeholders gathered during project implementation. - Support the partnerships and advocacy activities agreed by the UNEP LACO & UNEP FI in the area/sector covered by the project. C. Project Activities Execution: - It is expected that the Project Coordinator oversees and support (when necessary) the technical consultants hired under the project in the implementation of the overall project activities under outputs: i. Output 1: The Country Programme, relevant to the NDC and the NDP goals, has been developed and ready to be approved by the NDA. ii. Output 2: Readiness needs assessment to develop an action plan with strategies for Readiness support. iii. Output 3: Workplans and constitutive arrangements for the Financial Advisory Group (FAG) established to develop 1) Costa Rica’s sustainable finance taxonomy; and 2) methodologies and tools for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related financial risks. iv. Output 4: The sustainable finance taxonomy is developed, piloted, and endorsed by relevant national financial actors. v. Output 5: Framework for the identification, assessment and disclosure of climate related financial risks and opportunities for banks, insurance companies, investment funds, and pension funds are developed, piloted and endorsed by relevant national financial actors. vi. Output 6: Capacity within financial institutions is built on sustainable finance taxonomy, climate-related financial risks exposure and management, green products/lines, including green bonds. vii. Output 7: Lessons learned, and activities results are shared and disseminated with national and international finance sector audiences as well as the wider climate change policy community, thus ensuring the practical use of the deliverables and procedures of classification designed for this purpose. D. Project Support: - Support with the coordination and the development of terms of references (TORs) and works/products requirements/specifications and the identification, selection and recruitment/procurement of consultants or other service providers. - Support Administration to ensure that processes ( ie: financial, procurement and human resource) are managed in line with the terms of the GCF Readiness agreement and UNEP rules and regulations, and that records of project documents and assets/equipment lists, including financial and procurement documents, are maintained in accordance with audit requirements. - Support Administration in the preparation of monthly and bi-annual project Interim Progress Report (IPMR), as well as Annual Project Reports for the GCF. - Support Administration in the timely preparation and submission of budget revisions, financial reports, request for changes (if needed), and cash advance requests; and - Identify and resolve logistical and organizational issues under the guidance of the UNEP Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region, the GCF Focal Point and the UNEP Task Manager. Outputs and Deliverables: The Project Coordinator for the GCF Readiness Project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Costa Rica with the Paris Agreement climate change goals” will also work as part of the UNEP FI Policy team, under the supervision of the LAC Policity Lead, to submit the following deliverables: 1. A comprehensive inception report detailing the scope for the banking sector, methodology tailored for the banking sector, and execution plan for the pilot phase, including a detailed work plan and description of required inputs and milestones. The inception report must consider the existing governance structure, and the working group established for the piloting phase in the banking sector and define their roles within the piloting phase. 2. Provide recommendations for financial regulators and supervisors to define the regulatory framework for the sustainable finance taxonomy implementation across the financial sector, related to the Output: “The sustainable finance taxonomy is developed, piloted, and endorsed by relevant national financial actors.” 3. Up to Six (6) presentations with the assessment of how each bank in Costa Rica incorporates green loan classification into operational management (baseline situation analysis), including a gap analysis and recommendations to close the gaps for implementing the Costa Rica Sustainable Finance Taxonomy in each bank. For banks with operations in other countries, please include practical recommendations on interoperability with other relevant taxonomies (ex. Colombia, Panama, Central America, European Commission). 4. A diagnosis summary with key findings based on phase 1 and 2 of the tasks (no more than 3 pages). This diagnosis summary should include the assessment of each bank’s sustainability management practices, environmental and social risk management frameworks, and governance structures for sustainability issues and processes defined within each banking entity for the management of green credits are analyzed (origination, labelling, monitoring and reporting, and closure). 5. One (1) report of no more than 30-50 pages with recommendations for the General Superintendency of Financial Entities of Costa Rica and banking institutions to define the financial regulatory requirements and other actions to close the gaps for the implementation of the Costa Rica’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy in the banking sector (including a gap analysis and recommendations to close the gaps for the implementation of the Costa Rica’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy in the banking sector). This should contain a gap analysis and an action plan with recommendations for improving taxonomy application and scalability (financial entities participating, financial regulators and supervisors, and the national finance industry associations). 6. One (1) presentation for the Superintendency of summarizing the main findings of the pilot in the banking sector. 7. One (1) guidance document on the practical implementation of the Costa Rica’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy its tool for the banking sector, including case studies and recommendations for further scale-up. 8. A comprehensive inception report detailing the scope for the insurance sector, methodology tailored to insurers, and execution plan for the pilot phase, including a detailed work plan and description of required inputs and milestones. The inception report must consider the existing governance structure, and the working group established for the piloting phase in the insurance sector and define their roles within the piloting phase. 9. Up to Three (3) presentations with the assessment of how each insurance company in Costa Rica is aligned within its insurance offer (in underwriting) with the Costa Rica’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy (taxonomy eligibility and alignment) (baseline situation analysis), including a gap analysis and recommendations to close the gaps for the implementation of the Taxonomy in each insurance company. For insurers with operations in other countries, please include practical recommendations on interoperability with other relevant taxonomies (ex. Colombia, Panama, Central America, European Commission). 10. A diagnosis summary with key findings based on phase 1 and 2 of the tasks (no more than 3 pages). This diagnosis summary should include the assessment of each insurer company’s sustainability management practices, environmental and social risk management frameworks, and governance structures for sustainability issues and processes defined within each insurer entity for the management of green underwriting products are analyzed (origination, labelling, monitoring, and reporting, and closure). 11. One (1) report of no more than 30 pages with recommendations for the General Superintendency of Insurance to define the financial regulatory requirements and other actions to close the gaps for the implementation of the Costa Rica’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy in the insurance sector of the country (including a gap analysis and recommendations to close the gaps for the implementation of the Taxonomy in the insurance sector). This should contain a gap analysis and an action plan with recommendations for improving taxonomy application and scalability (financial entities participating, financial regulators and supervisors, and the national finance industry associations. 12. One (1) guidance document on the practical implementation of Costa Rica’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, its tool for the insurance sector, including case studies and recommendations for further scale-up. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the Programme Officer responsible for LAC Policy. Qualifications/special skillsEducation: A bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, business administration, economics, finance, international trade policy, international relations, or other related studies is required. A bachelor’s degree in Climate Change or Sustainability related topics is desirable. A master’s degree may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree, provided the candidate has 3 years of related experience. Professional Experience: • A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in activities involving sustainability project advisory and/or management in national or local government entities, and/or reputed multinational organizations/companies, and/or financial institutions is required. • Proven knowledge/experience in the field of sustainable finance frameworks (Sustainable Finance Taxonomy / disclosure) is required. • Previous experience working with government entities and the financial sector in LAC/Costa Rica is required. • Practical experience in areas related to planning, execution and monitoring in project development related with sustainability is required. • Knowledge/experience of the banking, insurance and/or investment industries in LAC/Costa Rica is desirable. • Experience in client-facing role in financial services of sustainability-related consulting is desirable. • Knowledge in data management related with sustainability is desirable. • Proven strong interpersonal and relationship management skills is highly valuable. • Proven track record in coordinating complex projects or programmes with a diverse range of partners is desirable. • Experience in positions related to facilitating and coordinating the participation of government-led stakeholders in setting up an externally funded program or projects in Costa Rica or elsewhere is desirable. • Practical experience with international donors and other public, non-state or private actors in developing countries, preferably in the LAC region, in the management of international technical cooperation projects is desirable. • Knowledge of GCF processes is an advantage. • Experience in policy-oriented work in the areas of climate change, environment, and/or natural resources in Costa Rica is desirable LanguagesLanguage: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Additional InformationSkills & Knowledge: • Ability to communicate findings to high-level and mid-senior-level management. • Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to organise and deliver written updates, events, management desirable conference calls and webinars. • Skills in facilitating consultations, workshops, and grassroots engagements. • Ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a diplomatic, organised and timely manner; proven influencing skills. • Ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse project outputs in an organized and timely manner. • Proficiency in using Microsoft Package (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) collaborative platforms (i.e., Teams, Google Drive) and virtual meeting platforms (i.e. Webex, Zoom, etc.) is required. • He/she speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, interprets others' messages correctly and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and shows interest in having two-way communication; adapts the language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness to share information and keep people informed. • Teamwork: He/she works in collaboration with colleagues to achieve the objectives of the organization; solicits contributions by genuinely valuing the ideas and experience of others; is willing to learn from others; shares credit for team achievements and accepts joint responsibility for team deficiencies. • Planning and organization: He/she develops clear objectives that are consistent with the agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and tasks; adjusts priorities as necessary; allocates the appropriate amount of time and resources to complete the work; foresees risks and allows contingencies when planning; supervises and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. 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.